15. Computer

From the first electronic digital computers of the forties to to-day's versatile computers and most up-to-date microcomputers very little has changed as far as basic computer operation.

To-day digital computers still use the same logical operations as their processors. There are many basic concepts that can be applied to all types of computers, including microcomputers. The computer is faster and more accurate than people, but unlike most people it must be given a complete set of instructions that tell it exactly what to do at each step of its operations. This set of instructions, called a programme, is prepared by one or more persons for each job a computer is to do. These programmes are placed in the computer's memory unit in binary-coded form, with each instruction having unique code.

Computers in present use range considerably: from tiny things to big fellows. The microcomputer is the smallest and the newest member of the computer family. It usually consists of several integrated circuit chips, including a microprocessor chip, memory chips, and input/output interface chips, which are a result of tremendous, advances in large-scale integration.

Most of the computer principles and concepts are common to all categories of computers, although there can be tremendous variations from computer to computer.

The computer programmer provides a programm of instructions and data which specifies every detail of what to do, how to do, and when to do it.

Every computer contains five essential elements or units: the arithmetic and logic unit, the memory unit, the control unit, the input unit and the output unit.

16. Engineer and Technological Progress

In the conditions of the scientific and technological progress the significance of engineers is increasing. Our country has taken on a course toward the market economy. Engineers have an important part to play in intensifying the national economy. In their work engineers are guided by the latest achievements in science and technology. Engineering means physical implementation of the design process into machines, devices or systems. Only a well-trained engineer can cope with his tasks. In the practical work an engineer is faced with problems of choosing suitable engineering materials for construction of different devices or machine part. A modern engineer must have good knowledge of physics and mathematics, chemistry, computers, systems of engineering computer-aided-design, management science, etc.

Engineers are trained at different technical higher schools and at some departments of the universities. In spite of the fact that there are no single and absolutely identical curricula, the sets of subjects for training technical students have very much in common. Apart from the teaching fundamentals, the students are offered a wide programme of humanities. A great attention at technical departments is paid to such subjects as history, philosophy, economics, management, sociology, ecology and foreign languages as well as to the development of the scientific world outlook of the future engineers. The engineer is the main motive power of the technological progress.