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Unit 1

Text Study: Basic Elements of a Computer.

Additional Text: The Computer System.

Grammar: The Present Continuous Tense.

Text Study

I. Pre-reading Exercises

1. Repeat the words in chorus:

Acquainted, proce­dure, architectural, cause, particularly, certain, substituted.

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

Electronic, mechanical, documentation, data, analysis, to assist, specialists, programmer, inventory.

3. Pay attention to some grammatical points:

1) Not visible, the information in the form of data and programs is the software — the set of computer programs, proce­dures, and associated documentation that make possible the effective operation of the computer system.2) They do not solve specific problems they are written to assist people in the use of the computer system by performing tasks such as controlling all of the operations required. 3) The person who prepares systems software is referred to as a systems programmer. 4) For example, in an instance where cost is more important than performance, the computer system architect might decide not to use special electronic circuits (hardware) to multiply two numbers, but instead write instructions (software) to cause the machine to accomplish the same function by repeat­ed use of circuits already designed to perform addition.

II. Reading

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

  • What is the hardware? What is the software? What is the firmware?

Basic Elements of a Computer

As we know all computer systems perform the functions of inputting, storing, processing, controlling, and outputting. Now we'll get acquainted with the computer system units that per­form these functions.

The electronic and mechanical parts that make up a computer system are called hardware. Thus, the input, storage, processing and control devices are hardware. Not visible, the information in the form of data and programs is the software — the set of computer programs, proce­dures, and associated documentation that make possible the effective operation of the computer system. Software programs are of two types: systems software and applications software.

Systems software are the programs designed to control the operation of a computer system. They do not solve specific problems they are written to assist people in the use of the computer system by performing tasks, such as controlling all of the operations required, to move data into and out of a computer all of the steps in executing an application program. The person who prepares systems software is referred to as a systems programmer. Systems programmers are highly trained specialists and important members of the architectural team.

Applications software are the programs written to solve spe­cific problems (applications), such as payroll, inventory control, and investment analysis. The word program usually refers to an application program, and the word programmer is usually a person who prepares applications software.

Often programs, particularly systems software, are stored in an area of memory not used for applications software. These protected programs are stored in an area of memory called read-only memory (ROM), which can be read from but not written on.

Firmware is a term that is commonly used to describe certain programs that are stored in ROM. Firmware often refers to a sequence of instructions (software) that is substituted for hardware. For example, in an instance where cost is more important than performance, the computer system architect might decide not to use special electronic circuits (hardware) to multiply two numbers, but instead write instructions (software) to cause the machine to accomplish the same function by repeat­ed use of circuits already designed to perform addition.

Vocabulary Notes

inputting – введення (даних)

storing – зберігання (даних)

processing – обробка(даних)

controlling – керування, управління

outputting – вивід

to get acquainted [q'kweInt]познайомитися

proce­dure[prq'sJdZq]процес, алгоритм

data [ 'deItq] дані, інформація

hardwareапаратне обладнання, «комп’ютерне залізо»

softwareпрограмне забезпечення

systems softwareсистемне програмне забезпечення

application software – прикладне програмне забезпечення

specific problems=application – специфічні (прикладні) задачі (завдання)

to execute ['eksIkjHt] виконувати

an application programприкладна програма

a systems programmerсистемний програміст

architectural ['RkItekCqrql]team – група розробників (проектувальників)

payroll – платіжна відомість

inventory control – переоблік

investment analysis – інвестиційний аналіз

read-only memory (ROM) – постійна пам'ять

firmwareвбудоване/мікропроцесорне програмне забезпечення, «зашиті програми» в ROM

computer system architect ['R:kItekt]розробник архітектури комп’ютерної системи

Comprehension

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

1) All computer systems perform the functions of inputting, storing, processing, controlling, and outputting. 2) The electronic and mechanical parts that make up a computer system are called hardware.3) Visible, the information in the form of data and programs is the software. 4) Software programs are of two types: systems software and applications software. 5) Applications software are the programs designed to control the operation of a computer system. 6) Systems software are the programs written to solve spe­cific problems (applications). 7) The person who prepares systems software is referred to as a systems programmer. 8) Systems software are stored in an area of memory called read-only memory (ROM). 9) Firmware often refers to a sequence of instructions (software) that is substituted for software.

2. Choose the right answer:

1) All computer systems perform the functions of … .

a) inputting, storing;

b) controlling and outputting;

c) inputting, storing, processing, controlling, and outputting.

2) ,  the information in the form of data and programs is the software

a) not visible;

b) visible;

c) however.

3) System software do not solve specific problems they are written to assist people in the use of the computer system by … tasks.

 a) outputting;

b) performing;

c) storing.

4) The person who prepares systems software is referred to as … .

a) a systems programmer;

b) architect;

c) designer.

5) Often programs, particularly … , are stored in an area of memory not used for applications software.

a) application;

b) systems software;

c) hardware.

6) Protected programs are stored in an area of memory called … which can be read from but not written on.

a) computer;

b) random access memory(RAM);

c) read-only memory (ROM).

7)  is a term that is commonly used to describe certain programs that are stored in ROM.

a) software;

b) hardware;

c) firmware.

3. Complete the sentences.

1) The input, storage, processing and control devices are … . 2) The set of computer programs, proce­dures, and associated documentation that make possible the effective operation of the computer system is called … . 3) Systems software are the programs designed … . 4) Applications software are the programs written … . 5) Firmware often refers to … .

4. Answer the questions:

1) What functions do all computer systems perform? 2) What devices are hardware? 3) How many types are software programs? What are they? 4) What is the system software? 5) What is the application software? 6) What does the word program refer to?  7) Where are systems software stored? 8) When might the computer system architect decide not to use special electronic circuits (hardware) to multiply two numbers?

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

  • basic elements of the hardware
  • basic elements of the software
  • about system software
  • about application software
  • about firmware

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

Word Study

1. Give Ukrainian equivalents of the following.

The functions of inputting (storing, processing, controlling, and outputting), to get acquainted with the computer system units, storage, processing,  control devices,  hardware, the information in the form of data and programs, the set of computer programs and proce­dures, associated documentation, systems software, applications software, to control the operation of a computer system, to solve specific problems, to move data into and out of a computer, protected programs, a sequence of instructions  that is substituted for hardware, in an instance, cost is more important than performance, instructions to cause the machine to accomplish the same function.

2. Give English equivalents of the following.

Команди, які заставляють комп’ютер виконувати ті ж самі функції; апаратне забезпечення; керувати операціями комп’ютерної системи; послідовність команд, які є замінними (замінниками) для апаратного забезпечення; познайомитися з елементами (блоками) комп’ютерної системи; набір комп’ютерних програм та алгоритмів; ціна є важливішою, ніж якісні характеристики; захищені програми; функції вводу (зберігання, управління та виводу); пам’ять; прикладне програмне забезпечення; пристрій обробки інформації; розв’язувати специфічні задачі; пристрій (блок) управління; інформація у вигляді даних та програм; відповідна документація; у випадку;  переміщати дані у комп’ютер та з комп’ютера.

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

A                                 B

to execute                   special

to get acquainted         to replace

a procedure                 a case 

data                             a designer

to substitute                 to accomplish

architect                      a method

an instance                  information

to cause                       to meet

to assist                                   to make

specific                                   to help

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

To execute / hardware/software/ROM/input/output/application software/system software/

1) Physical parts that make up a computer system is called … . 2) Programs which can be used on a particular computer system is called … . 3) The computer … a sequential set of instructions. 4) By itself, a typical microprocessor IC does not contain the memories and … and … functions. 5) The purpose of … … is to get the computer operating. 6) The purpose … … is to get the computer to do a specific job. 7) Another kind of program that needs no work on your part is the kind that is built into your computer as … .

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

1) Базовими елементами комп’ютера є апаратне забезпечення, програмне забезпечення та вбудовані програми. 2) Комп’ютер виконує алгоритм завдяки системному та прикладному програмному забезпеченню. 3) Системний програміст є обов’язковим членом команди розробників. 4) На парі студенти познайомилися з основними функціями комп’ютера, а саме: вводу, виводу, обробки інформації, зберігання та управління. 5) Базовий мікрокомп’ютер потребує постійної пам’яті для зберігання програм та команд.

Grammar in Use

The Present Continuous Tense

1. What's happening at the moment? Write sentences.

1)      Electronic/control/device/of power/ station/ the work.

2)      Of IC/new types/now/increase?

3)      At this moment/operate/control/unit.

4)      They/by keyboard/data/enter.

5)      Where/move/the mouse?

6)      Texts/images/convert/scanners/into/the computer/form.

7)      Our/laboratory/research/use/types/many/electronic/computer.

8)      The measuring/send/system/signals/their/to/the computer.

2. Put the sentences of exercise 1 into negative form.

3. Open the brackets using the Present Continuous Tense or the Present Simple Tense.

1) Computer system (to have) hardware, software and firmware. 2. The computer (to fetch) and (to execute) instruction at this moment. 3. The CPU (to consist) of the ALU and control unit. 4. The speed of computer operation (to depend) on many capabilities. 5. Computer in some cases (to resemble) a calculation. 6. We (know) that a computer (to be) a general-purpose machine. 7) They (to suppose) that their mainframe (to execute) all instruction given to it. 8) He (to prefer) to use a laptop in his work. 9) When we (to come) to the institute, the computer (to work). 10) Software programs (to require) to press one or more buttons.

Additional Text

(for individual work)

Read, translate the text and make up a list of words which can be joined under the headline “Computer System”.

The Computer System

The computer system consists of the computer, fitted with two disk drives, a monitor, and a printer. Switch on. The computer, disk drive and printer may all have separate switches. Find the program disk. Computers generally use 3,5 -inch disks which are protected by a square plastic  pack. Make sure the disk goes in the right way. A couple of keys, or sometimes a simple typed instruction, will get the disk to load. From there on, the program takes over. In some cases, the computer may require two programs. The first of these is called the operating system. The operating systems have names like CP/M, UNIX and MS-DOS. The operating system is really just a program that tells the computer how to control the disk drive, printer, and whatever is attached. After the operating system is loaded, the main program, which may be on a separate disk, can go in.

Once the program starts up, the screen will tell you what to do. Word processing programs are generally easy to use, and the best way to get acquainted is to take an hour or two to find your way round. It is impossible to harm the computer by pressing the wrong keys. Sometimes microcomputers are linked together in what is called a network.

There are different input and output devices that can be connected to the computer. Such devices are known as computer peripherals. Disks come in a range of sizes. The disk is also called diskette, or flexible disk, or just ‘floppy’. The disk is protected by a square plastic sleeve which is not removed: there is a slot that lets the machine get at the disk’s surface. Disks of all kinds are delicate. DON’T touch the surface of the disk, bend it, or smoke while using it.

If you are using a computer with a printer in the office, or have a printer attached to the terminal you are using, then it is probably one of two types, a daisy wheel printer or a matrix printer.

The computer keyboard is similar in layout to a typewriter, but may have extra keys. Just as with typewriters, the layout differs from make to make. The most usual extra keys are functional keys. These are generally marked F1, F2, etc., and cam be used for different purposes in different programs. The keyboard is generally connected to the computer by a flexible cable.

A mouse is a small plastic box on the desk in front of you. The mouse moves the cursor which is a flashing square or arrow that is used  to point to something on the screen of the monitor. To move the cursor, you just move the mouse in the appropriate direction, across the desk, and the cursor follows. The mouse has one or two ‘fire’ buttons on its back.

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.