Unit IV. Computer software
Exercise 1. In pairs or in groups you will discuss the next questions.
What is the difference between hardware and software?
What do you know about software?
Is it difficult to write a program?
Have you ever written a computer program?
Exercise 2. Read the text and choose 3 sentences maximally describing a computer software.
Every desktop and laptop computer in common use today contains a microprocessor as its central processing unit. The microprocessor is the hardware component. To get its work done, the microprocessor executes a set of instructions known as software. You are probably very familiar with two different types of software:
The operating system – The operating system provides a set of services for the applications running on your computer, and it also provides the fundamental user interface for your computer. Windows 98 and Linux are examples of operating systems.
The applications – Applications are pieces of software that are programmed to perform specific tasks. On your computer right now you probably have a browser application, a word processing application, an e-mail application and so on. You can also buy new applications and install them.
It turns out that the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is the third type of software your computer needs to operate successfully.
Exercise 3. These words and expressions are in the text. Connect English words and expressions with their Ukrainian equivalents.
operating system працювати, управляти комп’ютером
to provide a set of services встановлювати додатки
to install applications вдало
to operate a computer операційна система
successfully надавати серію послуг
Exercise 4. а) Find in the text the answers for the following questions.
1.What does every desktop and laptop computer contain?
2. Component of what is the microprocessor?
3. What does the microprocessor execute?
4. What are two types of software?
5. What does the operating system provide?
6. What applications are programmed to do?
7. What is the third type of software?
b) Act out the following scenario. Your friend, novice user, is asking for your help to sort out the computer software. How would you do that? You can accomplish this task in the form of a dialogue, using the questions from Ex. 4a
Exercise 5. а) Finish the sentences, using the text.
Every desktop and laptop computer in common use today contains ..
The microprocessor is the ...
Tо get its work done, the microprocessor ...
The operating system provides ... and it also ...
Windows 98 and Linux are ...
Applications are pieces of software that ...
On your computer right now you probably have
The Basic Input/Output System is the third ...
b) Tell us about computer software, imagining that you are a participant of a student conference on computer technology. You have been given a word. What would you say?
c) Situation in Ex. 5a may be repeated. Now you can add an interpreter who will translate your speech from English to Ukrainian and from Ukrainian to English.
Exercise 6. Translate the following text in English
Опис того, які дії, в якому порядку і над якими порціями інформації повинен зробити комп'ютер, називається програмою для комп'ютера. Образно кажучи, комп'ютер без програми являє собою купу заліза, не здатну ні до якої переробки інформації. Тому складання програм - програмування становить основу будь-якого використання комп'ютера.
Сфера застосування конкретного комп'ютера визначається не стільки його конструкцією; скільки набором створених для нього програм. Для того щоб перевести комп'ютер з однієї роботи на іншу, досить змінити програму в його пам'яті.