Text 18

Read and translate the text with a dictionary, analyze the words and define the tense forms.

Computer languages – high level and low level

Do we actually need high level languages such as C++ and PASCAL when we work with computers in control application? No! Not only high level languages are often unnecessary but they can interfere with microcomputer performances. The alternative, low level languages, give you greater control over the process and hardware and reduce the cost of the system.

Assembly language is called low level because it is very close to machine operation. The resident pro­gram called the assembler, translates only on a one-to-one basis, so the user must instruct the machine, what to do.

Low level languages use less English-like mne­monics, such as WPM. As it was mentioned a low level mnemonics instruction translates via the resident pro­gram into one machine instruction.

A FIN assembly instruction, for instance, would fetch a particular piece of data from memory.

Typically the microprocessors program memory can cost about 25% more with a high level language than it might cost if the program had been written in the microprocessor assembly language.

A microprocessor is the central processing unit of a microcomputer.

Answer the following questions:

1. Why don't we need high level languages such as PASCAL working with microcomputers in control application?

2. Why is assembly language called low level?

3. What do low level languages use?

Text 19

Read and translate the text with a dictionary, analyze the words and define the tense forms.

What is the microcomputer?

Although small, the microcomputer can be as powerful as a computer that once filled a room. It's still a general purpose digital computer, but it's composed of large scale integrated circuits instead of transistors or vacuum tubes. At its heart is the microprocessor - a single integrated circuit that is the central processing unit. Additionally, the microcomputer has some memory 1/0 (input/output) capability.

The capability of a microcomputer is usually measured by its microprocessor. And the microprocessor's sophistication is usually determined by its word length, given in bits. Microprocessors currently have word length of 32 or 64 bits. In other words, an 8-bit numbers with a single "add" instruction. But two in­structions are needed to add two 16-bit numbers. (These instructions use up memory).

Microprocessors with four bits were calculators type processors. Unlike other microprocessors which use binary arithmetic, 8-bit processors use binary coded decimal arithmetic Microcomputers with 8-bit processor now contain the processor and the memory on one chip.

The 8-bit microprocessor is the most popular and widely available microprocessor on the market. Eight bits is enough for most data and character handling and it's also a multiple of 16 or 24 if higher pression arith­metic is necessary. Most 8-bit processors, such as Na­tional's SC/MP, can also perform decimal arithmetic for process calculating.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the microcomputer composed of ?

2. What is at its heart ?

3. Why were microprocessors with four bits calculator type processors ?