Programming languages

Computers can deal with different kinds of problems but they must be given the right instructions. Instructions are written in one of the high- level languages, for example, FORTRAN, COBOL, ALGOL, PASCAL, BASIC, or C. But a program written in one of these languages should be interpreted into machine code. Usually when one instruction written in a high- level language is transformed into machine code, it results in several instructions. A brief description of some high- level languages is given below.

FORTRAN is acronym FORmula TRANslation. This language is used for solving scientific and mathematical problems it consists of algebraic formulae and English phrases.

COBOL is acronym for COmmon Business - Oriented Languages. This language is used for commercial purposes. COBOL deals with the problems that don't involve a lot of mathematical calculations.

ALGOL is acronym for ALGOrithmic Language. It is used for mathematical and scientific purposes.

BASIC is acronym for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instructions Code. It is used by students who require a simple language to begin programming.

C is developed to support the UNIX operating system. C is a general -purpose language.

When a program is designed to do a specific type of work it is called an application program.

Vocabulary:

to transform - -переводить

brief description- краткое описание

to solve- решать

scientific- научный

to involve- включать

to require- требовать

to support- поддерживать

Exercise 1. Найдите в правой колонке русские эквиваленты английских слов и словосочетаний:

1. high- level language- a. язык общего назначения

2. to solve scientific problems- b. для научных целей

3. consists of- c. иметь дело

4. is used- d. требовать

5. to deals (with)- e. состоять из

6. algebraic formulae- f. язык высокого уровня

7. general-purpose language- g. простой язык

8. simple language- h. решать научные проблемы

9. to require- i. используется

10. for scientific purposes- j. языки программирования

11. application program- k. алгебраические формулы

12. programming languages- l. прикладная программа

Exercise 2. Закончите предложение, выбрав соответствующий вариант окончания.

1. FORTRAN is a high- level language which is used for

a) supporting the UNIX operating system.

b) commercial purposes.

c) solving scientific and mathematical problems.

2. ALGOL is a high- level language which is intended to ....

a) solve mathematical and scientific purposes.

b) be used for commercial purposes.

c) be used by students who require a simple language to begin programming.

3. COBOL is a high- level language which is designed ....

a) to solve mathematical and scientific problems.

b) be used for commercial purposes.

c) to support the UNIX operating system.

4. BASIC is a high- level language which is used ....

a) used for solving mathematical problems.

b) for commercial purposes.

c) by students who require a simple language to begin programming.

5. C is a high- level language which is developed ....

a) to deal with mathematical problems.

b) for commercial purposes.

c) to support the UNIX operating system.

Exercise 3. Который из данных предложений верный?

1. Computers can deal with different kinds of problems.

2. Instructions are written in one of the low-level languages.

3. FORTRAN is used to support the UNIX operating system.

4. FORTRAN consists of algebraic formulae and English phrases.

5. COBOL deals with the problems that involve a lot of mathematical calculations.

6. ALGOL is used for commercial purposes.

7. BASIC is used by students who require a simple language to begin programming.

8. BASIC is a general -purpose language.

9. When a program is designed to do a specific type of work it is called an application program.

Exercise 4. Ответьте на вопросы.

1. What can computers deal with?

2. What kind of high-level programming languages do you know?

3. What is FORTRAN?

4. What language is used for solving scientific and mathematical problems?

5. What does COBOL deal with?

6. What language is used for commercial purposes?

7. What language is used by students who require a simple language to begin programming?

8. What is C?

Exercise 5. Образуйте вопросительные и отрицательные предложения из следующих предложений.

Computers can deal with different kinds of problems. FORTRAN is acronym FORmula TRANslation. It consists of algebraic formulae and English phrases. This language is used for commercial purposes. COBOL deals with the problems that don't involve a lot of mathematical calculations. Students require a simple language to begin programming.

Exercise 6. Подготовьте первый абзац текста к пересказу.

TEXT VIII

Four main classes of computers

Computer can perform many functions: they can do mathematical and logical operations. Mathematical operations include arithmetic and algebraic operations: such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, rising to a power, differentiating and integrating. Logical operations include comparing, selecting, sorting and matching.

Computers are divided into four main classes: microcomputers, minicomputers, mainframes and supercomputers.

A microcomputer is a computer manufactured on a single printed board which contains one or more chips. Most microcomputers are personal computers. At present personal computers have become so powerful that they are used as CAD/CAM systems.

A microprocessor is a very small device used in microcomputers, which deals with memories by reading and writing process. Microprocessors can obtain from memory and execute a limited set of instructions in order to perform addition or subtraction on a binary word and to input or output binary data.

Memory is a device for storing digital information. Memory should be small in size and large in capacity. It should take little power and work at the same speed as computer logic. There are many types of memories. AH microcomputers use Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM).

RAM is called so because information can be put into or out of any single byte of memory. ROM is permanent memory for program storage.

People know many types of memory units, hard disks and floppy disks being widely used. Floppy disks (flexible plastic disks) are used in personal computers.