Computers

Modern electronic digital computers have become means of solving mathematical and other scientific problems. The sphere of their application is now practically boundless.

An electronic computer is a device that can accept information, store it, process it and present the result of the processing in some acceptable form. When we speak about a computer, we must distinguish between its hardware and software. Hardware represents the material part of the machine, its equipment, while software is represented by computer instruction and programs.

The computer is told what operations to perform by means of instructions. An instruction is a command to the computer. The basic unit of information for a computer is called a byte. A byte consists of eight bits. The word "bit" is formed from the letter "b" in the word "binary" and the letters "it" in the word "digit". A bit is the smallest unit of information.

The part of a computer that takes in information is called the input unit. It is the functional part of the computer that accepts the data to be operated and programs for operating. Input to the computer used to be provided by punched cards and punched tapes. Nowadays it is provided by a keyboard. The part of a computer that puts out the information is called the output unit. The computer can put out information in a form acceptable to people with the help of printer and display.

Input and output device are usually called peripherals. These peripheral devices are rather slow as compared with the computer. That is why many computers have special buffers. The aim of the buffer is to provide a better match between the speed of internal electronic operations and input and output operations. Buffers thus are storage devices accepting information at a very high 9 speed from the computer and releasing it at the proper speed for the peripheral equipment.

The part of a computer which stores information is called storage of memory. It is the mechanism that can retain information during calculation and transmit it as needed to other parts of the machine. Storage is characterized by 2 main factors: an access time and capacity. Memory access time is the time required to transmit one computer word out of the memory to where it will be used. The capacity of a computer memory is the quantity of data and programs that the memory unit can hold. According to these two factors we can speak about 2 types of storage – internal, capable of quick access, and external storage, providing large capacity.

The central processing unit (CPU) or central processor is the nerve center of any computer system. It coordinates and controls the activities of all other units and has 2 hardware section: an arithmetic and logic unit, and a central unit.

The CPU has two functions: it must obtain instructions from the memory and interpret them as well as perform the actual operations. The first function is executed by the central unit. The second function of the CPU is performed by the arithmetic and logic unit.

Thus the arithmetic and logic unit is that part of the CPU in which the actual computations take place. The central unit is that part of the CPU which obtains instructions from the memory, interprets them and generates the control signals.

Task 7

Finish the sentences:

1. Modern electronic digital computers have become means __________.

1. of solving mathematical and other scientific problems

2. of entertainment

3. of solving practical tasks

2. Hardware represents ____________.

1. the material part of the machine, its equipment

2. computer instruction and programs

3. the user of the computer

3. Software is represented by _____________.

1. the material part of the machine, its equipment

2. the user of the programme

3. computer instruction and programs

4. The computer is told what operations to perform by means of ____________.

1. orders

2. instructions

3. e-mails

5. The basic unit of information for a computer is called __________.

1. volt

2. byte

3. meter

6. A byte consists of ___________ .

1. 8 bits

2. 18 bits

3. 80 bits

7. The part of a computer that takes in information is called _________ .

1. the output unit

2. the monitor

3. the input unit

8. The part of a computer that puts out the information is called ________.

1. the input unit

2. the output unit

3. the monitor

9. Input and output device are usually called _________ .

1. peripherals

2. programmes

3. monitors

10. The part of a computer which stores information is called _________.

1. storage of memory

2. output unit

3. input unit

Task 8

Answer the following questions on the text:

1. What is an electronic computer?

2. How can you define hardware?

3. What is software?

4. What is an instruction?

5. How do we call the basic unit of information for a computer?

6. How many bits does a byte consist of?

7. How can you define the input unit?

8. How can you define the output unit? 10

9. How are input and output devices usually called together?

10. What is the aim of a buffer?

10. How can you define a buffer?

11. What is storage?

12. What is the synonym of the word "storage"?

13. What are the 2 main factors storage is characterized by?

14. What are the functions of the central processing unit?

15. How many parts is CPU composed of?

16. What is the general purpose of the central unit?

17. What is the arithmetic and logical unit responsible for?

18. What are the main parts of a computer?

Task 9

Translate into Ukrainian the following word combinations:

Computer: analog computer, digital computer, hybrid computer, all-purpose computer, general-purpose computer, fifth-generation computer, game computer, handheld computer, mobile computer, multimedia computer, notebook computer, pocket computer, portable computer, laptop.

Unit: unit of memory, unit of data, unit of measurement, arithmetic unit, arithmetic-logical unit, central processing unit, computing unit, control unit, functional unit, input unit, output unit, network unit, system unit.

Function: arithmetic function, checking function, complex function, computer function, continuous function, conversion function, distribution function, encoding function, logical function, numeric function, output function, program function, search function, software function, support function, utility function, variable function.

Control: access control, batch control, coding control, distance/ remote control, error control, execution control, hardware control, input/ output control, memory control, power control, production control, program control, rate control, self-acting control, software control, system control.

Task 10

Now read the answer to the question What is the role of computers in our daily life? given by Sonia Raaz from India and prepare a three-minute speech on the roles of computers in YOUR daily life.

The computer is used in people's daily lives to enable people of this world to talk to each other in real time, to process data quickly. Most gasoline stations are computerized and can not even operate if the computers are down.

Almost every major business, banks, shops, fast food restaurants, etc., use computer and are unable to even operate if the computers are down. Automobiles are computerized. People also use computers in daily life to shop, bank, and pay bills from the comfort of their homes. In some cases, people can even apply for jobs online. They also provide entertainment when people play games, listen to music, chat, etc. online. In fact, computerization is so prevalent in our daily lives that should it be taken away, almost everything would shut down, at least for a short time.

Task 11

Fill the gaps using the words from the box.

TEXT 1

databases word processing spreadsheets word processor

A ____________ is a computer used to prepare documents or letters, or the software that is used for this purpose. Many people use their computers for ____________, e.g. writing letters and reports. A lot of business people use _____________ (= a program used to enter and arrange numbers and financial information) and ___________________ (= programs which allow you to store, look at or change a large amount of information quickly and easily). Some people also use graphics (= the pictures and symbols a computer program can produce).

TEXT 2

bug computer-literate back-up copy Internet net-work user-friendly memory e-mail virus crash

More and more people are becoming ____________ (= have experience of working with computers and know how to use them) as many programs and machines are so _________ (= easy to use). You can now connect your computer to computers all over the world using the ____________ (= a system that allows computers to connect using telephone lines). People send each other _____(electronic mail) messages using this system or ____________.

If your computer is slow it may need more ________ it may ________ (= stop working) if there is not enough memory or if it has a __________ (= a software problem; also a _________). Make sure you make a ________ of your work (= an extra copy on a disk).

Task 12

Match the computer terms on the left with the definitions on the right.

1)  personal computer/ PC/desktop computer 2)  keyboard 3)  laptop (computer) 4)  palmtop (computer) 5)  hardware 6)  software 7)  hard disk 8)  disk drive 9)  modem 10) scanner 11) RAM (random access memory) 12) spreadsheet (program) 13) computer graphics 14) word processing 15) virus 16) system unit

a) hidden instructions in a program designed to destroy information b) a piece of equipment for typing and giving commands to the computer c) the memory available on a computer to store and use information temporarily, usually measured in megabytes d) a lightweight portable computer that usually fits a briefcase e) a computer small enough to fit in your hand f) an apparatus that allows information to be read from a disk or stored g) machine for transferring pictures and texts into a computer h) a program or the grid you create with it to perform mathematical operations i) pictures, images, and symbols that you can form on a computer j) writing and storing printed text on a computer k) a piece of equipment that sends information from one computer along telephone lines to another computer l) a computer that fits on a desk, used by individuals at work or at home m) computer equipment or machinery n) a case and its contents o) a device inside a computer that stores large amounts of information p) programs that you put into a computer to make it run

Task 13

Try to give definitions to the computer terms below following the definition formula: