VIII. Listening & Writing

1. Listen to Vicky Cameron, the it lecturer, talking to her students about c language. Copy the table and complete it with the relevant information.

Developed by	Date	Characteristics	Uses	Extensions
Dennis Ritchie at	…………	Created to replace ……………… The language is small,	Originally designed for…………… Today it is used to …………….	C++ and Object-oriented languages ………

Unit 14

I. Reading

1. The term 'Java' refers to three things:

a an island in Indonesia

b a cup of coffee, in American slang

c a language for Internet applications

2. Answer these questions.

1. What is Java, in the world of computers?

2. Have you seen the effects of Java programs on web pages?

3. These statements about Java are all false. Read the text and correct them.

1. Java was invented by Microsoft.

2. Small applications written in Java are called 'animations'.

3. With the interpreter, a program is first converted into Java bytecodes.

4. Java is not compatible with most computing platforms.

5. The Java language is single-threaded, one part executing at a time.

6. Java doesn't let you watch animated characters on your webpages.

7. ActiveX and Shockwave are not real competitors for Java.

1 5 10 15 20 25

Java is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems which is specially designed to run on the Web. When you see a web page that uses Java, a small program called 'applet' is executed automatically. Java applets let you watch animated characters and moving text, play music and interact with information on the screen. A……………… Java is an object-oriented language similar to C+ +, but it is more dynamic and simplified to eliminate possible programming errors. A Java program is both compiled and interpreted. First the source code (file with a Java extension) is compiled and converted into a format called bytecode (file with a class extension), which can then be executed by a Java interpreter. Compiled Java code can run on most computers because there are Java interpreters, known as Java Virtual Machines, for most operating systems. Java is multi-threaded. A Java program can have multiple threads (parts), i.e. many different things processing independently and continuously. B…………….. People are excited about Java because it lets you create moving images and animated drawings. You can also create graphical objects (e.g. bar charts, graphs, diagrams) and new 'controls' (e.g. buttons, check boxes, pushbuttons with special properties). A web page that uses Java can have inline sounds that play in real-time, music that plays in the background, cartoon style animations, real-time video and interactive games. C…………….. One alternative technology is ActiveX, the Microsoft product for including multimedia effects on web pages. Another competitor is Macromedia's Shockwave, a plug-in that lets you animate pictures, add sound and even make interactive pages so that people can play games on websites.

4. Match these headings to the corresponding paragraphs.

1. Why is Java cool?

2. Alternatives to Java

3. Characteristics of the Java language

II. Vocabulary

1. Match the words from two columns to make a common technical term. Translate the terms.

programming web Java multimedia source virus compression

a browser b error c code d protection e format f effects g applet

2. Which verbs on the left are frequently found with nouns on the right?

to download to play to run to browse to compile to process

a the Web b a source program c files d an application e data f music

III. Grammar & Listening

1. Read the passage below and complete it with the correct form of the verbs in the box.

call decide develop be begin

can rename have support base

The idea for Java started in 1990 when a team of software engineers at Sun Microsystems (1)………to create a language for a handheld device that could control and interact with various kinds of electronic appliances ranging from Nintendo game boys to VCRs and TV set-top boxes. They (2)………an object-oriented programming language that Gosling (3)………'Oak', after the tree outside his window. The device (4)……… an animated character named 'Duke', which would go on to become Java's mascot.

With the advent of the Web in 1993, the company made a web browser (5)……...on the Oak language. Later on, this language was adapted to the Internet and (6)……… 'Java'. The 1.0 version of Java was officially introduced by Sun in May 1995.

At that time, web pages (7)………only display- text, pictures and hyperlinks. With the arrival of Java, web designers (8)………able to include animation and interactive programs on web pages. The first major application created w«h Java was the Hotjava browser.

(9)………to attract serious attention from the Internet community and was soon (10)………by Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Today Java is a hot technology that runs on any computer.

2. Listen and check your answers.

3. Copy the chart and complete it with notes about the different stages in your 'computer history'.

e.g: 1985: First used computer at school.

Possible stages:

• first computer game

• first computer lesson at school/college

• first programming language learnt

• first software used

• first computer course/qualification

• first job involving computers

• first steps on the Internet

4. Ask a partner about their computer history. For example:

'When did you first ...?' 'How long ago did you ... ?'

'How old were you when you ...?'

IV. Reading

1. Look carefully at the job advertisements and discuss with another student what personal qualities and professional abilities you would need for each job. What are the most important qualities in the list? Add some more of your own.

logical reasoning ability to lead a team

imagination patience and tenacity

physical fitness ability to draw well

efficiency being good with figures

self-discipline willingness to take on responsibility

2. Would you like to apply for one of two jobs suggested? Why? Why not?

SENIOR PROGRAMMER

Required by DIGITUM, a leading supplier of business systems to the insurance industry.

You will be able to work on the full range of development activities – analysis, design, coding, testing and implementation. At least two years’ experience of COBOL is necessary.

As we are active in Europe, fluency in French, Italian or another European language is desirable.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn new skills and develop your career.

Send your CV to CHRIS SCOTT, PERSONNEL MANAGER,

DIGITUM, 75 PARKHILL STREET SW2 3DE

You can visit our web site at: http://www.digitum.com

DTP Operator

required for a leading financial magazine. We are looking for a bright, competent QuarkXPress operator with at least three years’ experience in design and layout. Skills in Photoshop, Freehand or Illustrator an advantage. Ability to work in a team and to tight deadlines is vital.

Please apply in writing, with CV and samples of your work,

To: Tom Parker, Production Manager, Financial Monthly

Stockton Street, London EC1 4WW