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. Radiation
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.
The section of code that repeats is called a _____ or an iteration.
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.

2. Key
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
Examples of information managed by ____ software include addresses - phone numbers - appointments - and to-do lists.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.

3. Type
A ___ ________ is software that enables a user to find and access the various parts of the Internet.
Random access storage devices are able to go _____ to the requested data
Early personal computers featured command-driven interfaces which required the user to ____ complicated instructions to operate the computer.
First generation computers used _______ _____ to store individual bits of data.

4. LAN
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
Databases use structured files to _________ data.
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.
Packet _________ technology divides a message into packets that can be independently routed to their destination and then reassembled.

5. Ergonomics
__________ is the study of safe and efficient work environments.
______ data can be represented as a wave.
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.

6. Central
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.
Adware is spyware that tracks surfing and online _________.
In a star network - all computers are connected to a _______ computer.
Graphics software is designed to help users manipulate and ______ graphics.

7. Employment
_________ authentication devices verify a person's identity using the person's physical characteristics.
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.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.

8. Background
They are small programs which run in the ___________ and are used by devices such as modems - storage devices - mice - keyboards - monitors - printers - sound cards - network cards.
Servers can store files or provide services (i.e. printing) to ________ on the network.
The internet backbone consists of high speed - high capacity transmission lines that use the newest communications technology to ________ data across the internet.
Pirated software can be ___________ from the web - illegally copied by a friend - or purchased in a foreign country.

9. Bits
A macro - or keyboard _________ - is useful when a user has to type the same pattern of keystrokes over and over.
Unlike a hub - a ______ sends packets only to the computer that is the intended recipient.
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 ____.
__________ uses mathematical formulas to create coded messages.

10. Cell
A unit of measure equaling one ______ digit is a bit.
The central computer is called a ____.
The location on a spreadsheet where a row and a column intersect is called a ____.
Forging an email ______'s name is called spoofing.

11. Intel
Mac OS X was rewritten for _____ architecture in 2006 and has a reputation for being an easy to use - reliable - and secure operating system.
A device ______ is system software used by the computer to control peripheral devices.
In a relational database - information is organized in rows and columns. Rows are called _______.
Transmission is limited to ______ range.

12. Web pages
Examples of cache include L1 - L2 - and L3. In all cases - cache is storage located closer to the processor than RAM and therefore can be accessed much more ________.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
POS (______ __ _______) terminals are computer-based devices or systems that allow the merchant to process credit cards - track customer purchase habits - and manage inventory.

13. Communications
The BIOS (Basic ______________ System) also enables the computer to interpret keyboard commands and display characters on the monitor.
The central computer is called a ____.
TCP/IP is an example of a network ________________ protocol.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.

14. Bits
Examples of cache include L1 - L2 - and L3. In all cases - cache is storage located closer to the processor than RAM and therefore can be accessed much more ________.
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.

15. Miniatures
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.
The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer __________ and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.
The information on a ROM chip _____ be altered by the user.

16. TIFF
____ is a graphics file format used on both PCs and Macs for high quality printable files.
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.
Cache speeds up _________.
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.

17. Certification
A ___ is a commonly used component that connects devices on the LAN.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
___________ programming rules are called syntax.
Many employers view IT _____________ with some degree of skepticism.

18. Analog
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________
The GUI (Graphic User Interface) is sometimes called a computer __________ and Microsoft Windows is an example of an operating system that uses a GUI.
One survey indicated that 75 to 80% of computer crimes are committed by current or _______ employees.

19. Defragmentation
An iteration control structure directs the computer to ______ one or more instructions until a certain condition is met.
By using a _______________ utility - files on a disk are rearranged so that they are stored in contiguous clusters.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.

20. Analog
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
______ data can be represented as a wave.
Virtual memory uses the hard disk to _____ primary storage (RAM).

21. Bits per second
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.
The ___ allows a user to operate the computer by using a mouse or keystrokes to select icons and commands from menus.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).
Settings automatically used by a program unless changed by the user are called _______ settings.

22. Structured
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
Cache speeds up _________.
Telephone lines have traditionally been _______.
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.

23. Calculations
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
Spreadsheet instructions for ____________ are called formulas.
Companies do this to keep _______ low.

24. Artificial intelligence
When plugged into a USB port - flash memory drives show up as an external drive and are a convenient way to transport and transfer _____.
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
The hub prevents packet collisions - but if the hub goes down the _____ stops.
Public domain software is not ___________ and can be copied without fear of prosecution.

25. Direction
A compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).
In a ring network - all packets flow in only one __________; there are no data collisions.
The 1s and 0s used to represent digital data are known as _______ digits.
On a hard disk - this waiting area is called a _______.

26. Flash

27. Editing
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
Paint - photo _______ - and drawing software are all examples of graphics software.

28. Timeline
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
A computer's ____ size is the number of bits that the processor may process at any one time.
Usually - project management software allows the user to break a project down into a series of goals or events which are organized as a _________.

29. Column
Column headings are used to select an entire _______ with a mouse click.
Open source software projects promote user modification - peer review - _____ distribution - and copying.
CSMA/CD manages collisions on the network by deleting colliding signals and __________ the network.
The more _____ in a word - the faster the computer.

30. Digital
______ data is data that has been converted into discrete digits such as 0s and 1s.
Products which are announced but are never ________ are called vaporware.
A field contains the smallest unit of meaningful data and can therefore be called the basic ________ block for a structured file or database.
This UNIX-based kernel also contributes to stronger _________.

31. Raw
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
_________ authentication devices verify a person's identity using the person's physical characteristics.
Data consists of ___ facts and figures that is processed to produce information.

32. Numeric
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
In a relational database - a ___ field is used to sort data.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.

33. Access
Cyberspace is the world of communications in general; it includes wired and wireless communications - as well as the _________.
Examples of random access storage include computer hard disk drives - RAM - ____ _____ - floppy drives and CD-ROM drives.
Screening job applicants and limiting employee ______ to only information needed to do a specific job are examples of people controls.
Examples of operating systems include ________ - Linux - Unix - and Macintosh OS.

34. Order
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.
Random access storage allows access to any location in any _____.
If an operating system attaches a special significance to a symbol - you won't be able to use it in a ________.
Syntax refers to the _______ in which computer programming commands must be entered.

35. Programmable
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
SSL (Secure _______ Layer) and TLS are protocols used to create a secure connection between a computer and a website.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.

36. Billion
The system's main interface screen is called the _______ and displays icons which provide fast access to information and programs.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
Read-Only Memory chips contain fixed computer start up instructions - are loaded at the factory - and are ___________.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.

37. Ring
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
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 ____.
Programmers use assembly languages to write ______ software.
A single hard drive could be partitioned and labeled with multiple drive ________.

38. Cursor
HTML is a set of special instructions used to create ____ _____.
Common syntax errors include incorrect or missing punctuation - _________ errors - and omitting keywords.
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.
The motherboard contains the CPU and _______ chips as well as connections for the keyboard - mouse - and printer.

39. Kilo

40. Inference

41. Changed
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
Public key encryption is used to transmit credit card data in secure e-commerce transactions and it is also used for secure ______.

42. Settings
Utility programs are designed to help monitor and configure ________ for the computer - the operating system - or applications.
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.
Common expansion cards include ________ cards - graphic cards - and memory cards.
Cache speeds up _________.

43. Algorithm
_______ are small text files left on your hard drive by websites you visit.
Nowadays - cash registers have been replaced by ___ terminals.
Messages are encrypted using a cryptographic _________ and a key.
_______ is the operating system installed on more than 80% of the world's personal computers.

44. Software
The Windows registry is a database that maintains a record of installed ________ and peripheral devices - preferences - and settings.
An organization that provides internet access is called an ___.
ENIAC was the first ____________ electronic computer in the United States.
In MS Windows - the toolbar is located at the ____ of the window below the menu bar.

45. Reliable
When you install software or hardware - information is ______ in the registry.
IP addresses can be changed by the network _______________.
_________ data is defined as converting data from one format to a format compatible with the program you are currently using.
Transistors were smaller - cheaper - and more _________ than vacuum tubes.

46. Intranets
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
RAM usually consists of several _____ ______(chips) that plug directly into the computer's system board.
On the job choices that reflect a person's values are called ____________ ethics.
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.

47. Network interface
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.
A MAC address is a series of numbers assigned by the manufacturer to a _________ ________ card at the factory.
Examples of graphics file _______ include BMP - GIF - JPEG - TIFF - and PNG.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.

48. Fourth
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.
The desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.

49. Retype
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.
Multiple files which have been consolidated into ___ file and compressed to reduce size and download time are said to be zipped.
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).
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.

50. Files
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.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
Search agents and _____ search tools allow you to automate your search process across many sites.
The columns are called _______.