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. Secondary
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
A floppy disk - hard disk - and USB drive are all examples of _________ storage.
Examples of keywords include READ - ______ - IF - and THEN
VoIP stands for ______ over Internet Protocol.

2. Organize
In MS PowerPoint - the outline view helps you ________ the content of your material.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
A ________ is a collection of interrelated files in a computer system.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.

3. Command line
The most common user interface for UNIX systems is the ________ ____ interface.
A program or instruction book that helps users learn how to use a product by taking the user through a series of _____ is called a tutorial.
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
_____ ______ cable transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electricity.

4. Scheduling
A programming language is a set of keywords and grammar rules used to create ____________ for a computer.
Meeting ___________ software is an example of groupware.
Backups are used to ________ files lost by operator error - viruses - or hardware failures.
A message which has been encrypted is called __________.

5. Hardware
A firewall can be _________ or software-based or a combination of the two.
With a ______ implementation - parts of the new system are implemented separately.
Cookies can save you time by not requiring you to _______ in the same information on subsequent visits to the same website.
Rule-based detection software is used by merchants for online transactions to detect and prevent _____ by establishing criteria each transaction must meet.

6. Line
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.
UNIX is a proprietary multitasking operating system with built-in __________ capabilities that supports multiple users.
Hubs have multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port it is _______ to all other ports on the hub.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.

7. Operating system
_____________ occurs when stored files on a hard drive are scattered across noncontiguous sectors.
System software helps the computer manage internal and external _________ and enables the computer to run applications.
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
The ________ ________ is the computer software that manages the basic operation of the computer.

8. Miniatures
A hard drive - on the other hand - is a _______ access device - which allows it to go directly to the requested data.
In MS PowerPoint - the slide sorter view displays __________ of each slide - allowing you to change the order of your presentation.
_____________ people is one important way to protect software and data.
The easiest way to reduce exposure to cellphone _________ is to use a headset.

9. Solved
A programming problem statement defines the scope of the problem - spells out the known information - and specifies when the problem has been ______.
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.
File compression is a method of removing __________ elements of a file causing the file to require less storage space and less time to transmit.
Examples of DTP software include MS __________ and PageMaker.

10. Click
___________ programming rules are called syntax.
Examples of an event include a key press or a mouse ______.
RSI (Repetitive _______ Injury) affects tendons - muscles and nerves in the hands - wrists - arms and shoulders.
In recent years - antivirus software has been one of the most popular categories of _______ software.

11. Changed
The main circuit board of the computer is called the ___________.
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
A ___ is the smallest unit of data that a system can handle.
A keystroke logger can be used to steal __________.

12. 1971
_________ is the process of moving up - down - or sideways through the text or other screen display.
The first microprocessor was developed in _____.
For a computer to be able to take advantage of dual core or quad core technology - the installed ________ __________ has to support it.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.

13. Formula
An example of importing data would be taking a column of numbers from a spreadsheet and importing it into a ______ __________.
The columns are called _______.
An algorithm is a _______ or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
In a star network - all computers are connected to a _______ computer.

14. Operating
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
_________ systems were first used in second generation computers.
Productivity software is designed to help people work more ___________.
Handheld computers and ____s are examples of embedded systems because the operating system resides on a single chip.

15. Reliable
With a parallel implementation - the old and new systems are operated side by side until the new system is proven to be ________.
When you click the link - it takes you to a site that looks just like Paypal; you enter your login information on this fake site and now the _________ have your username and password.
A browser ________ is spyware that changes browser settings without your knowledge.
Computer _____ temporarily stores instructions and data that the processor is likely to use frequently.

16. Prices
Companies do this to keep _______ low.
Random access is much faster than ___________ access storage (tape).
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.
When troubleshooting a computer program - ________ software is used to help identify and solve problems.

17. Phishers
When you click the link - it takes you to a site that looks just like Paypal; you enter your login information on this fake site and now the _________ have your username and password.
______ generation languages are typically used for database applications.
HTML (__________ Markup Language) tags are used to structure and format web pages and links to other documents.
______________ are the most expensive and fastest computers available.

18. Run
_______ are computer depictions of humans often found in computer games and training software.
Current versions of Windows support ____ ______ up to 255 characters long.
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 compiler converts ______ code (the original code written by the programmer) into object code (an executable file).

19. Record
Cache is ____ when the computer power is turned off.
A megabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.
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.
The desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.

20. Commands
______ data can be represented as a wave.
A ______ is a small unit of data transmitted over a network.
Computer resources include the ____ - RAM - storage space - and peripherals.
The toolbar displays menus and icons of commonly used ________ and options.

21. TIFF
_______ is a version of UNIX popular for large websites and e-commerce servers.
____ is a graphics file format used on both PCs and Macs for high quality printable files.
By holding down the ctrl - alt - and del keys - ________ OS will open the task manager which displays a list of active processes.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.

22. Artificial intelligence
LISP is a programming language used primarily for creating __________ _____________ programs.
_____________ is the process of recomputing values in a spreadsheet.
A ________ - mouse - microphone - scanner - and camera are all examples of computer input devices.
To convert seconds to milliseconds - _________ by 1000 (i.e. 5 seconds is equal to 5 -000 milliseconds).

23. LAN
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
_______ errors can be found with a debugger.
A computer's ____ size is the number of bits that the processor may process at any one time.
System ______________ involves converting files - software and hardware to the new system.

24. Calculations
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
In addition to displaying information in rows and columns - spreadsheet software can perform ______________ on inputted data.
UNIX was first developed by _____ Laboratories in 1969.
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.

25. Infrared
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.
___________ and security are MS Windows' two major weaknesses.
The primary key could be a unique series of numbers or characters; it doesn't have to be meaningful--just _______.
________ transmission sends data via light waves at a frequency too low for human eyes to see.

26. Point
Each connection _____ on a network is called a node.
A program or instruction book that helps users learn how to use a product by taking the user through a series of _____ is called a tutorial.
______________ are the most expensive and fastest computers available.
What part of the URL http://instantcert.com/landing.html is the top level domain? ___

27. Binary
____ and RPG-I are examples of fourth generation languages.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.
A computer uses a ____ system (base 2). That means that it only has 2 digits to choose from (i.e. 0 and 1).
Digital Rights Management is a collection of technologies used to limit access and use of ___________ products such as music - movies and computer games.

28. Cursor
RAM - which stands for Random Access Memory - stores __________ data which is waiting to be stored - processed - or output - and this data is lost if the computer is turned off.
The ______ is a marker on the monitor which indicates where the next character will appear.
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
Analytical graphics are graphical forms that make _______ data easier to analyze.

29. Supervisor
CIO stands for _______ ____________ Officer.
The kernel is also known as the ___________.
Any electronic system that uses a ___ but is not a general purpose computer is called an embedded system.
___ software is used to design products - maps - structures and civil engineering drawings.

30. Lost
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.
MIDI is a protocol used to communicate between electronic _______ instruments and the devices that control and manage them.

31. Compiler
A wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
A keyword has a predefined meaning for the ________ which translates each line of programming code into the machine language that the computer can understand.
A ________ is a set of rules governing the exchange of data between hardware and software on a communications network.
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.

32. Protocol
Note that the URL starts by indicating what _________ should be used to access the page (HTTP).
Input - output - and storage equipment that can be added to a computer to enhance its functionality are called __________ devices.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
Web page design software allows users to create sophisticated web pages with ___________ features.

33. Bus
___ - ring - and star are the three basic network topologies.
Public key encryption is used to transmit credit card data in secure e-commerce transactions and it is also used for secure ______.
Examples include _____________ identification and retina scanners.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.

34. Processors
An example of parallel processing is when several ___________ work together sharing memory on the same task.
In the same year - they released the ________ computer.
_____ generation computers used integrated circuits.
The process of converting cyphertext to plaintext is ___________

35. Function
A spreadsheet ________ is a built-in formula which performs common calculations.
A disk _________ is a section of a hard drive that is treated as a separate storage unit.
Built in 1951 - UNIVAC was considerably smaller and more powerful than ______.
Fetch - ______ - execute and store are the four basic operations of the machine cycle.

36. Slide show
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host _______________ Protocol.
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 wiki is one or more ___ documents that can be viewed and changed by users.
In PowerPoint - the _____ _____ view presents the slides in the order in which the audience will view them.

37. Credit card
Personal Information Management software helps users organize and manage daily ________ activities.
________ are used to transmit data between LANs of different network topologies or network operating systems.
Proprietary information about a company concerns information a __________ might find valuable.
Micropayments allow customers to purchase goods and services for amounts so small as to be impractical for ________ _____ transactions.

38. Ergonomics
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 ________.
A data communications network that connects personal computers within a limited geographical area is called a ___.
__________ is the study of safe and efficient work environments.
Linux is an ____ _______ operating system that can be modified and freely distributed.

39. Processes
PGP (_______ ______ Privacy) encryption software is available for free download on the web.
A _____ takes digital signals from a computer and converts them to analog signals to transmit over a telephone line.
Relocating business _________ to lower cost locations in foreign countries is called offshoring.
A gigabyte is a unit of measurement roughly equaling one _______ bytes.

40. MYCIN
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
______ - PROSPECTOR - CARES - CLUES and CLIPS are all examples of expert systems.
Open source software projects promote user modification - peer review - _____ distribution - and copying.
A what-if analysis allows a user to change the contents of a spreadsheet cell and find out how that would change the _______ of the calculation.

41. Illegally
The desktop is a feature of the ____ (graphic user interface) and is found in OS software like MAC OS and MS Windows.
This data is _____ when the computer is turned off.
In word processing - the __________ for a document refers to the way text - graphics - headings - and page numbers appear on a page.
Software obtained _________ is said to be pirated.

42. Temporary
When an employee uses their employer's computer time for non-work activities - this is called theft of time and ________.
RAM - which stands for Random Access Memory - stores __________ data which is waiting to be stored - processed - or output - and this data is lost if the computer is turned off.
FTP can be used on any _______ network such as a LAN or the Internet and is compatible with any operating system.
This can also be called a command-_____ interface.

43. Location
Private _________ that connect internal personnel and selected vendors are called extranets.
The contents of ________ memory - which includes RAM - are lost when the power is turned off.
FTP is a protocol used to copy _____ from one computer to another over the Internet.
Site licenses allow software to be used on all computers at a specific ________.

44. Desktop

45. NAP
Values are the actual numbers or dates entered into ______.
ISPs are connected to the internet backbone via a ___.
The bandwidth of a channel which carries digital data is typically measured in ____ ____ _________ (bps).
____ ________ software detects and corrects certain types of common problems on hard disks - floppies - and CDs.

46. Spreadsheet
CSMA/CD is the Ethernet protocol that handles __________.
___ software is used to design products - maps - structures and civil engineering drawings.
____ is a popular graphics file format used in applications such as web pages where flexibility in file size is important.
A ___________ allows users to enter data in rows and columns to create financial schedules and tables arranged as a grid on a display.

47. Structured
E-waste includes discarded obsolete _________ - televisions - printers - cell phones - and other electronic devices.
A __________ file uses a uniform format to store data for each person or thing in the file.
The ____ is a set of instructions contained in ROM that tell the computer how to find the operating system and load it into RAM.
System software include device ________ - operating systems - and compilers.

48. Clip art
A message that has not been _________ is called plaintext.
Using a technology called pipelining - the processor can start executing an instruction ______ the previous instruction completes.
MAC addresses are set from the factory and cannot be ________ by the network admin.
_____ ___ is a collection of photos and drawings designed to be inserted in documents.

49. Organize
A computer resource is any component required to perform ____.
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.
The instruction cycle is also often referred to as the ________ cycle.
A database index can be used to _________ data in alphabetical or numerical order.

50. Keystroke
A ____ network has no endpoints and all computers are connected in a continuous loop.
A virus is a program that __________ itself - either by making copies of itself or by attaching to another program.
A _________ logger is a type of spyware that records each character you type.
A _____ of adjacent cells on a spreadsheet is called a range.