1.2.6. Some other Terms Used
Data. Basic facts about business activities, e.g. material used on a job, hours worked by staff.
Fig. 2. Stages of processing data.
Data processing . Collecting all items of source data and converting them into information for processing, by manual, mechanical or electronic methods (Fig. 2)
A direct data entry system is a visual display unit plus keyboard. Data are keyed in by the operator and shown on the screen and entered in the computer for processing.
A point of sale terminal is an electronic cash register linked to a computer. These are becoming very common and can, for example, immediately check the availability of stock, current prices, or the credit position of a customer.
Data transmission is a term used to denote transmission by telecommunication systems linking a terminal with a central computer.
Real-time processing involves entering data in a computer and this is processed immediately, files are updated, giving current position (as in airline booking systems).
Microcomputer. This is basically a small computer which is smaller than a minicomputer. The popular PC (personal computer) is a microcomputer.
A microprocessor forms part of a microcomputer and consists of an arithmetic unit, control unit and memory. The simplest form of minicomputer is a microprocessor, with a keyboard for input, display screen for output.
Modem. Device connecting the computer to a telephone line along which data may be sent to another distant computer terminal or one not part of the same network system.
Software is a term used to describe all programs supplied by manufacturers or specialists for use in a computer.
Hardware refers to basic machines in a computer system consisting of input and output devices, central processing unit and other storage devices.
Word processor
Word processors consist of four main units: a microprocessor-based console, 'floppy disks', which hold the control program and store the data being processed; a visual display unit (VDU) and an input keyboard (as each character is typed on the keyboard, it comes up on the VDU); and a high-speed (45 characters per second) printer.
Once the operator has typed in a text, it can be easily and quickly amended or deleted, or inserted into any desired position on the VDU page, before being printed or stored as hard copy. Stored data can be read, printed out, edited, updated or sorted out in a particular way at any time; paragraphs can be repositioned in any order;
Word processors are used for:
• standard letters and documents
• updating reports and manuals periodically;
• producing good quality work.
The word processor is being linked with other office equipment, e.g. telex and can prepare material, e.g. tape, for direct input to the telex system.
A new word processor connected to a high-speed laser printer can produce work at five or more pages a minute.
Assignments
I. Match the following English and Ukrainian words and phrases:
availability of stock |
програмне забезпечення |
hardware |
упорядковувати |
software |
наявність асортименту товарів |
to sort out |
апаратне, технічне забезпечення |
II. Suggest the Ukrainian equivalents of the words and phrases below:
cash register; a point of sale terminal; current prices; credit position of a customer; real-time processing; files are updated; airline booking system; keyboard; display screen; control unit; microprocessor-based console; floppy disk; the data being processed; character.
III. Find English equivalents to the following words and phrases from the text:
символ; пульт управління; файли оновлюються; кредито- спроможність клієнта; касовий апарат; термінал на місці продажу;
IV. Answer the questions:
1. What is a microcomputer?
2. What does a microprocessor consist of?
3. What is a minicomputer?
4. What is the function of a modem?
5. What is a software?
6. What does the term hardware refer to?
7. What four parts does a word processor consist of?