Lesson 7

Computers: the software and the hardware

1. Read and memorize the following words:

application – використання;

to expand – простягатись;

breadth – широта;

virtually - фактично; на справді;

modernity – сучасність;

subtle – розумний, вишуканий;

thought – ціль, намір;

intangible – невідчутний;

capable – здібний;

to evaluate – оцінювати;

decisive – вирішальний;

to obtain – здобувати, отримувати;

ingeniously – винахідливий.

2. What is the purpose of using electronic computers? What software programs are you familiar with?

Because of extraordinary technological development during the past decades, the term computer is becoming a household word. Computer applications have expanded to such breadth that the computer is now an integral part of virtually every type of business and industrial enterprise.

The number of electronic computers used in any given field of human activity is sometimes believed to indicate the degree of its modernity. For example the more computers scientific institute uses the more modern it is believed to be. It is not always born in mind, however, that computers alone represent only what is called the hardware. i.e. the machinery together with its subtle technical and logical design. In order that the hardware may be used effectively, another essential factor is needed: the so-called software or applied thoughts. The preparation of computer programs, the working out of the logical aspects of material to be manipulated in a computer, takes up as much, if not more time as the actual production of the hardware and is by no mean easier. The software, as most intangible product, is not always capable of being readily evaluated. This, however, does not change the fact that: it is at least as decisive as the hardware in obtaining solutions tо concrete scientific and technological problems.

There are two basic types of electronic computers: digital and analogue. Each type has its uses in various fields. However, they have one thing in common: for their effective operation they require ingeniously thought-out software.

3. Make sentences:

Software Hardware Computer

iis

a machinery used for processing information. the hardware and the software. the programme products developed on logical aspect of material.

4. Are the sentences true of false? Correct the false sentences.

1. The term computer is a household world.

2. Electronic computers are believed to indicate the degree of human modernity.

3. The software is necessary for more effective operation of hardware.

4. The preparation of computer programs takes up little time.

5. The hardware is a main fact in obtaining solutions to concrete scientific and technological problems.

6. The different types of computers have one thing in common.

5. Answer these questions. If possible, ask someone else the same questions.

1. What is the difference between the software and the hardware?

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2. What one thing in common have digital and analogue electronic computers?

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3. What does determine the degree of computers modernity?

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4. What types electronic computers do you know?

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6. Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the passage below.

software computers screen word processor

hardware calculator keyboard printer

So you only have a pocket (a) ______________ to do additions, multiplications and so on, and you want to know about real (b) _____________? Right. Well, the machines themselves are called the (c)_______________and the programs that you feed into then are called the (d)______________, if you want to see the results of what you are doing, you'll need a (e)______________or you'll have to plug in to a television set. You'll operate your machine like a typewriter by pressing keys on the (f)____________. If you want a record on paper of what you're doing, you'll need a (g) _______________ and if you want a machine which will enable you to see, arrange, re-arrange and then print a page of material, then the machine you want is a (h)_______________. Do you want colour? Well, you can ...

7. Translate the sentences into English.

1. Електронні комп'ютери використовувані в людській діяльності є індикаторами ступеня розвитку суспільства.

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2. Окремо комп'ютер являє собою засіб із тонкими технічними і логічними розроб

ками.

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3. Для того, щоб ефективно використовувати апаратний засіб необхідний інший суттєвий фактор: програмне забеспечення.

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4. Часто розробка програм для комп'ютера займає більше часу, чим саме виробництво комп’ютера.

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5. Апаратний засіб с вирішальним фактором для рішення конкретних науково-технічних проблем.

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6. Існують два основних типи електронних комп'ютерів: цифровий і аналоговий.

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