Test your basic knowledge |

DSST Introduction To Computing

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. Communications
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.

2. Column
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.

3. Wide Area
The internet is an example of a WAN (______ ____ Network).
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.

4. Calculations
RSI (Repetitive _______ Injury) affects tendons - muscles and nerves in the hands - wrists - arms and shoulders.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.

5. 255
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.
For example - the largest number an 8-bit variable can hold is ____ (2 to the power of 8 equals 256 - but a computer starts at 0 - so it can express anywhere from 0 through 255).
This act established financial reporting regulations to prevent corporate ______.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.

6. Web browser
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.

7. Bulletin board
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
A database index contains a list of keys and each key provides a pointer to the ______ that contains the rest of the fields related to that key.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.

8. Printed
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.

9. Hijacker
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.

10. Clip art
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.

11. Data
A _________ ________ card (NIC) is used by a computer to transmit and receive data over a network.
A _________ is a graphical representation of a series of steps needed to solve a problem.
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.

12. Electronic
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
Micropayments are __________ payments for internet transactions as small as 25 cents.

13. Instructions
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
A firewall is designed to protect a computer or network from _________.
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.

14. Device
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.

15. Text
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.
Multimedia technology presents information in a format which includes ____ - graphics - video and sound.
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).

16. Syntax
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
A job search agent is an automated program that searches one or more __________ databases and notifies you when it finds leads that match your search criteria.
Dreamweaver - Macromedia Flash and MS FrontPage are all examples of ___ _____ design software.
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.

17. Wozniak
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
In 1976 - Steve Jobs and Steve _______ founded Apple Computer Corporation.
The opposite of a variable is a _________ - which is a factor that remains the same throughout the program.

18. Sequential
Secondary storage refers to devices and media that store data _____________.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
Such information includes information related to company finances - _________ - products and procedures.
____ is used by copyright holders to prevent piracy of their products but can be inconvenient to legitimate users.

19. Three dimensional
Disposal of _______ is a major environmental problem caused by information technology.
Virtual reality is a computer generated artificial reality which projects a person into a sensation of _____ ____________ space.
A _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.

20. Virtual
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
Backbone connections are supplied by internet backbone __________ such as GTE - Sprint - UUNET and AT&T.
Commands written for a specific CPU or microprocessor are ____ _____ languages.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.

21. Input/Output
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
Passwords are often encrypted using a hash function - which is a function that takes a string of characters of any length and converts it into a string of a ________ length.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.

22. Copyrighted
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
Harvard Graphics and MS __________ are examples of presentation graphics software.
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.

23. Editing
Paint - photo _______ - and drawing software are all examples of graphics software.
They are for ______ use only and are ignored by the compiler when it processes the code.
A _______ computer that holds a collection of data and/or applications for providing services to workstations or PCs is called a server.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.

24. Tape drive
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.
A _____ _____ is an example of a sequential access device; it retrieves data by starting at the beginning of the tape and reading each record until the required data is found.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
With serial processing - instructions are executed ______________ in the order received.

25. Radiation
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.

26. Clients
Individual computers (PCs - workstations) are called ________ and the centralized computer is called a server.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.

27. WAN
_____ memory drives plug into the computer's USB ports and have memory capacities of up to several gigabytes.
VPN stands for ________ Private Network.
An ______ _______ is an interactive computer program that helps users solve problems.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.

28. Network
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.

29. Routes
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.
The TCP/IP protocol breaks data up into packets - which are fixed-length blocks of data - for transmission over the network. This permits the message to be broken up into small parts which are then transmitted over separate _______ and yet all end up
White hat hackers are computer professionals who break into computer systems with the owner's __________ to identify security flaws.

30. Central
When talking about personal computers - the CPU (________ Processing Unit) is synonymous with the silicon chip known as the microprocessor - which is programmed to perform various tasks on the data it receives.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.

31. SQL
Word processing software is used to create - edit - print - format and store ____.
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.
An electronic ______ ________ on the Internet where users conduct written discussions about a specific topic is called a newsgroup.
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.

32. Location
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
A system of interconnected telephones - computers - or other communication devices that can communicate and share data is called a _______.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.

33. Professional

34. Numeric
Analytical graphics are also called _________ graphics and make sales figures and economic trends easier to understand.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.

35. Switching
The ALU is an area of the CPU optimized to handle _____ calculations (i.e. Add and Subtract) as well as logic comparisons (i.e. AND - NOT - and OR).
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.

36. Cookies
A typical computer includes the system and a variety of input - output and ______ devices.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
An IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a network ______.
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.

37. Click
A program that ______ itself repeatedly on to the computer's hard disk or into the computer's memory is called a worm.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.

38. Standalone
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
Multimedia authoring software combines video - text - animation - graphics and sound to create __________ multimedia applications.

39. Transmit
Overloading a computer system or network by making repeated requests to it and thereby denying access to legitimate users is called a _______ __ ________ attack.
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
The _______ ______ would be 'instantcert.com'; the top level domain just refers to the part after the period.

40. Illegally
In Windows - to see a list of active _________ - you must open the task manager.
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.

41. Recalculation
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.

42. Web pages
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.

43. Building
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.

44. Fraud
The cursor is often a blinking rectangle and its location is called the __________ point.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.

45. Cyberspace
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.

46. Free
Freeware is software that is copyrighted but is available for ____.
________ row headings appear down the left frame of the spreadsheet.
Virtual machine technology allows users to simulate the hardware and software of one computer ____________ on another.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.

47. Desk checking
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
Reading through a program to make sure it is logical and free of errors is called _____ ________.
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.

48. Chief Information
The number of bits limits how big of a number can be expressed. To calculate this limit - simply do 2n - where n is the number of ____.
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
One reason a tape drive takes longer to access data than a ____ drive is that tape drives use sequential access.

49. Operating system

50. Kilobyte
In computer programming - ______ errors refer to typographical errors and incorrect use of the programming language.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
A ________ is a unit of measurement equaling 1024 bytes of data.