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. Million
Spoofing makes it appear that a message came from someone other than the sender. This is a tactic often used by _________.
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
One ___________ is one thousandth of a second.
The prefix '____' means a million.

2. One
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).

3. Operating
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
_______ ________ was the first to define concepts that were to be later used in modern computers.
System software includes device drivers - utility programs - and the __________ system.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.

4. Sender's

5. Intranets
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.
An _________ slot is a slot on the motherboard where the user can plug in an expansion card.
Most Information Systems departments are managed by a ___.

6. Changed
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
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.

7. Parallel
When a computer performs several tasks simultaneously - this is called ________ processing.
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
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.

8. Key
____ is an internet protocol used to make phone calls over the internet.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.

9. Purchases
Software designed to solve a specific problem is called ___________ software.
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
To be an algorithm - a set of rules must be unambiguous and have a clear _________ point.

10. Reliability

11. Printed
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
Desktop publishing software has reduced the time needed to create professional looking _______ projects.

12. Windows
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.

13. Two
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
Logic bombs are _______ that are set to go off at a certain time.
Public key encryption uses ___ keys.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.

14. Disk scanner
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.
The monitor - speakers - and printer are examples of computer ______ devices.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.

15. Bus
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.
A program that ______ itself repeatedly on to the computer's hard disk or into the computer's memory is called a worm.
Harvard Graphics and MS __________ are examples of presentation graphics software.

16. Cars
NAP stands for ________________ Point.
The Sarbanes-Oxley act requires full disclosure in accounting systems and protects corporate ______________.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
Embedded computers are also called microcontrollers and are small - specialized microprocessors installed in ____ and smart appliances.

17. Numeric
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
__________ includes the Web - chat rooms - blogs - member based services - conference calls and automatic teller machines (ATMs).
This is where the term __________ (a group edited encyclopedia) comes from.
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.

18. Operating system
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
Groupware is software that allows several people to collaborate on projects over a _______.

19. Security
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
A service pack is a collection of Microsoft files for ________ improvements - bug fixes - and software updates.
To convert from word size to bytes - you must ______ by 8 because there are 8 bits in a byte. Therefore - when we're dealing with a 64 bit word size - we divide by 8 and the result is 8 bytes.
Lettered ______ headings appear across the top frame of the spreadsheet.

20. Volatile
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
The software that controls the search of the expert system's knowledge base and produces a conclusion is called the _________ engine.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.

21. URL
Paint - photo _______ - and drawing software are all examples of graphics software.
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.

22. Internet
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
SSL and TLS are protocols used to ________ transmit credit card data over the Internet.
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.
Paint - photo _______ - and drawing software are all examples of graphics software.

23. Group
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
A ___ is a string of characters that points to a specific piece of information anywhere on the web.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).

24. Specific
Sending out __________ looking emails which attempt to solicit passwords or financial information is known as phishing.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
_____ _____ languages are based on human languages and include C - C++ and FORTRAN.
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.

25. Office
A _________ is a limited working system - developed to test design concepts.
___ allows a block of program code to be reused in other programs.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
A _____ _______ is a program that is disguised as an innocent program to gain control of your computer.

26. Unzipped
Zipped files are _________ as part of the installation process.
Access (included with Microsoft _______) is an example of a popular Windows-based relational database application.
Applications no longer had to include code to control low level hardware operations but instead called on operating system routines through simple standardized _________.
EarthLink - AT&T - and Road Runner are all examples of ISPs (Internet __________________).

27. Data
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.
Most computer processing takes place in a component called the ___.
Microsoft Windows is the world's best selling ________ __________.
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.

28. Bit
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
Examples of word size in _____ computers include 16 - 32 - and 64 bits.
____ is the communications protocol used by your browser to connect with web servers and display web pages on your computer.

29. 1971
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.

30. Clip art
_________ systems were first used in second generation computers.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.
Computer processing is the ____________ of data which transforms data into information.

31. Flight
Software designed to solve a specific problem is called ___________ software.
Virtual reality is used in arcade games and in training simulators (example: _______ simulators).
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
The most common type of database used on PCs is the relational database in which data is organized into related ______.

32. Implementation
This can also be called a _____ key - index - or keyword. Most database applications allow for multiple keys so that users can sort records in different ways.
In programming - an event is defined as an ______.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.
System ______________ involves converting files - software and hardware to the new system.

33. Click
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.

34. Serial
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.
With ______ processing - the CPU must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
Alpha testing involves desk checking and _________.

35. Hypertext
Spelling and grammar checkers flag unrecognized words - misspelled words - and incorrect grammar with different color ________ lines.
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).

36. Flash

37. Sort
This can also be called a _____ key - index - or keyword. Most database applications allow for multiple keys so that users can sort records in different ways.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
A cryptographic key is a number - word - or phrase that must be used to ________ a message.
Like hubs - switches have multiple ______.

38. Produced
Examples of OOP languages include C++ and _____.
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.

39. Nonvolatile
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
_________ authentication devices verify a person's identity using the person's physical characteristics.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.

40. Hash
Many common viruses attach themselves to an existing executable program - and when that program is copied to and ____ on other computers - the virus infects those computers.
A hash function uses an algorithm to transform a given string of letters into a string that represents the original string (known as a _____).
If a program exceeds its available RAM - the _________ _________ can use an area of hard disk called virtual memory to store parts of data files or programs until needed - thereby gaining almost unlimited memory capacity.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.

41. Loop
__________ is widely supported by web browsers and adds interactive functions to HTML pages.
A LAN (______ _____ Network) normally occupies a single building.
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.
Drawings created with CAD (Computer Aided _______) software are 3D and can be rotated to view all sides.

42. Spelling
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.
A communications network that covers a large geographic area such as a country is called a ___.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
MIDI stands for Musicial ___________ Digital Interface.

43. Backup
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.
Examples of utility programs include _______ and data recovery software - antivirus software - disk cleanup - etc.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.

44. Addresses
DHCP is a protocol designed to automatically distribute IP _________.
Transferring data from a ______ computer to a local computer is called downloading.
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.

45. Mimic
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
In a relational database - the _______ key holds a unique value for each record.

46. PIM
Examples of information managed by ____ software include addresses - phone numbers - appointments - and to-do lists.
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.

47. Processors
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.
Small pictures on the desktop that represent documents - procedures and programs are called _____.
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.

48. Multiply
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).
This act established financial reporting regulations to prevent corporate ______.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.

49. Requests
The compiled program is saved as object code for later __________.
If a ___________ on the bus is broken (i.e. one of the computers in the chain crashes) - the network may go down.
The goal is to overload the target server or network by suddenly bombarding it with thousands or even millions of _________ - making it unable to respond to requests from legitimate users.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.

50. Digital
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.
In programming - a _________ is a prewritten module designed for a specific task.
A newsgroup is also known as a ______ and there are thousands of them on the Internet.
UNIVAC was the first commercially successful _______ computer.