Unit 3

Text Study: Running and Testing the Computer Program.

Additional Text: Programming Languages and Functions.

Grammar: Modals.

Text Study

I. Pre-reading Exercises

1. Repeat the words in chorus:

A manufacturer, a schedule, utility, executive, assemblers, compilers, interpreters, a linkage, a librarian, errors, responsibility, thoroughly, to verify, debugging.

2. While reading the text you will come across a number of international words. Try to guess what Ukrainian words they remind of you:

A monitor, functions, the service, centers, functions, an object, a catalog, a code, a processor, logic, planning, a test, a programmer, calculation.

3. Pay attention to some grammatical points:

1) These programs are called control programs, language programs and utility programs. 2) Examples of service programs include linkage editors to prepare object programs for execution, a librarian to catalog programs into a library area on magnetic disc, utility programs to transfer data from device to device, and sort­merge programs for sorting data on magnetic tape or disk. 3) As for testing of the computer program, there are two kinds of errors or bugs with which programmers must deal. 4) The first type is the coding error. 5) Such errors are syntax errors that prevent the language processor from successfully translating the source program to object program code. 6) The computer program can be successfully translated, but the program does not produce the desired results. 7) It is the programmer's responsibility to test thoroughly all of the program's functions, in order to verify that the program performs according to specifications.

II. Reading

Read the text and be ready to find in the text the answers to the following questions:

·         How are programs called?

·         What are there two kinds of errors or bugs with which programmers must deal?

Running and Testing the Computer Program

The operating system is a collection of programs provided by the computer's manufacturer that allows us to schedule jobs for the computer, to translate source programs into object programs, to sort data stored on secondary storage devices, and to copy data from any input device to any output device. These programs are called control programs, language programs and utility programs.

The control program (often called the supervisor, monitor, or executive) is a main-storage-resident program. Its functions are to schedule jobs, schedule input and output for our programs and to monitor the execution of our programs.

The language processors are programs that translate source programs into object programs. There are three types of language processors: assemblers, compilers, and interpreters. Each language has its own language processor.

The service programs are programs that are commonly used in all data processing centers. They have functions that are required by everyone using a computer. Examples of service programs include linkage editors to prepare object programs for execution, a librarian to catalog programs into a library area on magnetic disc, utility programs to transfer data from device to device, and sort­merge programs for sorting data on magnetic tape or disk.

As for testing of the computer program , there are two kinds of errors or bugs with which programmers must deal. The first type is the coding error. Such errors are syntax errors that prevent the language processor from successfully translating the source program to object program code. The language processor identifies the nature and the location of the error on the source program listing, so these errors are relatively easy to find and correct. The second type of bug is the logic error. The computer program can be successfully translated, but the program does not produce the desired results. These errors are generally much more difficult to find and to correct than are coding errors. Logic errors can be avoided through careful planning of the program logic, but it is the programmer's responsibility to test thoroughly all of the program's functions, in order to verify that the program performs according to specifications.

There are many tools provided to the programmer to help in debugging the program logic. These tools are called debug packages or tracing routines. They assist the programmer in following the logic by printing out calculation results and field values used in making logic decisions in the program. In a few cases it may be necessary to use a memory dump - a printout of the instructions and date held in the computer's memory - in order to find the cause of logic errors.

Vocabulary Notes

a manufacturer ["mxnju'fxktS(q)rq] – фабрикант, підприємець, виробник

to schedule ['SedjHl] jobs – назначати (планувати роботу)

an utility [ju(:)'tIlItI] program – програма, яка обслуговує

a source program – початкова програма

an object program – кінцева (об’єктна) програма

an assembler [q'semblq] – асемблер ( програма, яка транслює програму на мові асемблера в машинний код )

a compiler [kqm'paIlq] – компілятор, компілярна  програма

an interpreter [in'tWprItq] – інтерпретатор, тлумач

bug [bAg] – n. вірус; v. встановлювати таємно апаратуру для підслуховування

an error – помилка  

a desired result – бажаний результат

to avoid – запобігти, анулювати  

responsibility – відповідальність  

thoroughly ['TArqlI] – ретельно, досконало

to verify ['verIfaI] – перевіряти, контролювати, підтверджувати

to debug – настроювати (машину, програму), анулювати неполадки

a printout – роздруківка, вивід даних через друкарський пристрій

a debug package – пакет програм, який відповідає за несправності

sort/merge program – програма  (зовнішнього) сортування методом розбиття/злиття

to monitor – контролювати, перевіряти якість програми; спостерігати, слідкувати

an editor – редактор, програма редактування

specifications ["spesqfI'keISns] – технічні умови

Comprehension

1. Tell what sentences are true and what are false.

1) The operating system is a collection of programs provided by the computer's manufacturer.  2) The control program (often called the supervisor, monitor, or executive) is a secondary-storage-resident program. 3) The language processors are programs that translate source programs into object programs. 4) There are two types of language processors: assemblers and interpreters. 5) The service programs are programs that are commonly used in all data processing centers. 6) There are several kinds of errors or bugs with which programmers must deal. 7) Logic errors can be avoided through careful planning of the program logic.

2. Choose the right answer:

1) The programs of the operating system are called … .

a) utility programs;

b) control programs, language programs and utility programs;

c) control programs and language programs.

2) The control program  is a …  program.  

a) main-storage-resident;

b) secondary-storage-resident;

c) resident.

3) The language processors are programs that translate … .

a) programs;

b) source programs into subject programs;

c) source programs into object programs.

4) The service programs have functions that … by everyone using a computer.

a) are required;

b) are not required;

c) are desired.

5) As for testing of the computer program , there are … kinds of errors or bugs with which programmers must deal.

a) many;

b) three;

c) two.

6) The tools provided to the programmer to help in debugging the program logic are called … .

a) debug packages or tracing routines;

b) debug packages;

c) tracing routines.

3. Complete the sentences:

1) The operating system is … . The programs are called … . 3) The control program is …  . 4) The language processors are … . 5) There are three types of language processors: … . 6) The service programs are … . 7) There are two kinds of errors or bugs with which programmers must deal: … . 8) Logic errors can be avoided through … . 9) There are many tools provided to the programmer (why?)… . 10) These tools are called … .

4. Answer the questions:

1) What does the operating system allow us?  2) How are the control program often called? 3) What is the function of the language processors? 4) What are types of language processors? 5) Does each language have its own language processor? 6) What are the functions of the service programs? 7) What types of errors or bugs with which programmers must deal are there? 8) How can logic errors be avoided? 9) Are there many tools provided to the programmer to help in debugging the program logic? 10) How are these tools called? 11) What do these tools do?

5. Find as quickly as possible and read out the sentences containing the following important information:

• the control program
• the service programs
• testing of the computer program

*6. Try to tell the gist of the text.

Word Study

1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.

A collection of programs, the computer's manufacturer, to translate source programs into object programs, to sort data stored on secondary storage devices, to copy data from any input device, to monitor the execution of programs, to be commonly used, to transfer data from device to device, the coding error, syntax errors, to identify the nature and the location of the error,  the logic error, the desired results, to be avoided through careful planning of the program logic, the programmer's responsibility, to test thoroughly all of the program's functions, to verify that the program performs according to specifications.

2. Give English equivalents of the following.

Відповідальність програміста, класифікувати дані, які збережені на вторинних зберігаючих пристроях, синтаксичні помилки, широко використовуватись, виробник команд, копіювати дані з будь-якого пристрою вводу, створювач програм, перетворити початкову програму в кінцеву (об’єктну), контролювати виконання програм, логічна помилка, переміщати дані з пристрою на пристрій, кодована помилка, визначати природу та місце розташування помилки, бажані результати, перешкоджатися через ретельне планування логіки програми, робити перевірку через усі функції програми, контролювати, що програма працює згідно всіх технічних умов

3.  Match the words in A with their synonyms in B:

A                                 B

manufacturer              completely

interpreter                   insect

bug                              commentator

to verify                      fault

to avoid                       obligation

responsibility              to escape

thoroughly                  to examine

error                            factory-owner

4. Fill in the gaps with the words from Vocabulary Notes in the appropriate form.

object programs / errors  / to monitor / logic / manufacturer / coding / to identify / responsibility / to avoid / debugging

1) The operating system is a collection of programs provided by the computer's … .2) The control program … the execution of our programs. 3) The language processors are programs that translate source programs into … . 4) There are two kinds of … with which programmers must deal. They are the … error and the … error. 5) The language processor … the nature and the location of the error on the source program listing. 6) Logic errors can  … through careful planning of the program logic. 7) It is the programmer's … to test thoroughly all of the program's functions. 8) There are many tools provided to the programmer to help in … the program logic.

5. Translate sentences into English using words and word combinations from the Vocabulary Notes.

1) Набір  команд, який вкладає виробник називається операційною системою. 2) Контрольні програми – це основні програми, які контролюють роботу машини. 3) Знання функцій сервісних програм необхідні для кожного, хто користується комп’ютером. 4) Програмісти як правило борються з двома видами помилок. Це кодовані та логічні помилки. 5) Другий вид помилок є складніший і важче усувається.

Grammar in Use

Modals

1. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the Modal Verbs and their equivalents.

1)  The designer can always improve the operation of these receivers. 2) He could use any transmitter for this system. 3) The scientists are able to construct a new device by using semiconductors. 4) We have to increase the current strength by decreasing the resistance of the current. 5) After finishing the experiment scientists will have to discuss the results. 6) The students didn’t have to analyze these data. 7) We may say that photoelectric properties of transistor are largely used in TV sets. 8) In order to see certain stars we must use a telescope.

2. Put the modal verbs into the:

a) Past Indefinite Tense

b) Future Indefinite Tense

1)  Computers can replace people in dull routine work. 2) The program is the set of instructions that may also include data to be processed. 3) Computer-controlled robots must increase the productivity of industry. 4) They can help in making different decisions. 5) The pupils may work with computers at the lessons. 6) Electric pulses can move at the speed of light. 7) Storage devices must have capacities for the input, output data and programs and for intermediate results. 8) Business minicomputers can perform to 100 million operations per second.  9) In order to solve scientific problems researchers must deal with the language of science – mathematics. 10) Programmers must write application programs in a way that computers can understand.

3. Find sentences with modal verbs in the text

4. Fill in the gaps in the following sentences using the appropriate form of the verb in brackets.

1.The machines (is, must, had) to be operated and controlled by workers. 2. Each manufacturing process (have, ought, can) be automated in whole or in part. 3. The automated machines (may, were, should) confine human operator to two kinds of work. 4. They (have, must, are) mechanize some loading and unloading of machines. 5. The industrial engineer (must, can, is) to consider whether each manufacturing process (ought, can, was) be automated in whole or in part. 6. A later development (have, ought, must) be computer-controlled automation of assembly line manufacturing.

Additional Text

(for individual work)

Read and translate the text.

Programming Languages and Functions

The use of existing and new programming languages have extended the capabilities of the Web.  Here are a group of the more common languages and functions in use on the Web today.

CGI, Active Server Pages: CGI (Common Gateway Interface) refers to a specification by which programs can communicate with a Web server. A CGI program. Or script, is any program designed to accept and return data that conforms to the CGI specification. The program can be written in any programming language, including C, Perl, and Visual Basic Script. A common use for a CGI script is to process an interactive form on a Web page. For example, you might fill out a form ordering a book through Interlibrary Loan. The script processes your information and sends it to a designated e-mail address in the Interlibrary Loan department.

Java/Java Applets:  Java is probably the most famous of the programming languages of the Web. Java is an object-oriented programming language similar to C++. Developed by Sun Microsystems, the aim of Java is to create  programs that will  be platform independent. The Java motto is “Write once, run anywhere”. A perfect Java program should work equally on a PC, Macintosh, Unix, and so on without any additional programming. This goal has yet to be realized. Java can be used to write applications for both Web and non-Web use. Web-based  applications are usually in the form of Java applets. These are small Java programs called from an HTML page that can be downloaded from a Web server and run on a Java-compatible Web browser. A few examples include live newsfeeds, moving images with sound, calculators, charts and spreadsheets, and interactive visual displays.

JavaScript/JScript:  JavaScript is a programming language created by Netscape Communications. Small programs written in this language are embedded within an HTML page. Examples of JavaScript include moving tickers, drop-down menus, real-time calendars and clocks, and mouse-over interactions. JScript is a similar language developed by Microsoft and works with the company’s Internet Explorer browser.

VRML:  (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) allows for the creation of three- dimensional worlds. These may be linked from Web pages and displayed with a VRML viewer. One of the most interesting aspects of VRML is the option to “enter” the world and control your movements within the world.

XML:  (eXtensible Markup Language) is a Web page creation language that enables designers to create their own customized tags to provide functionality not available with HTML. XML is a language of data structure and exchange, and allows developers to separate form from content. At present, this language is little used as Web browser are only beginning to support it.

1. Divide the text into the logical parts and give a title to each one.

2. Put questions to the text.

3. Discuss it with your groupmates.