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Consider
the
definition
of
the
digital
computer
and
its
key
characteristics:
A digital computer is an automatic programmable data
processor. Every part of this definition is crucial to our
understanding of what the modern computer is, and how it
works.
There are two odd phrases in list a-j that do not describe digital
computers. Find them.
automatic
programmabl
digital
data
processor
36
37
Finally, the last two words, data processor, simply express what a
computer does it uses digital data, and produces results.
(from BCS glossary of computing and ICT)
2. Computer system*
known
as
program.
Whereas
the
physical
strengths
restrict
interface
limited
38
speech
scope
weaknesses
evolved
3. Hardware
A typical digital computer assemblage has three basic functional
elements: (1) input-output (I/O) equipment, (2) main memory and
(3) the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU, which is built into
a single microprocessor chip, consists of the control unit and the
arithmetic-logical unit. Another component of the CPU are the
registers, i.e., reserved memory units used to store and control
information. Whereas the central processing unit and the main
memory are considered essential components of most digital
computer systems, the input-output devices, communications
devices
and
secondary
(auxiliary)
storage
units
constitute
Make wh-word questions about the text on the previous pages that match the
answers below.
4. Types of computers
Complete the subheadings by inserting the words in A-E that denote common
types of computers:
There are different types of computer of varying size and power,
including the following:
A. ______________________
a very large computer which works very fast. It is likely to have many
processors working in parallel, so that tasks can be completed very
quickly.
41
B. ______________________
a large, very powerful computer; multi-user, i.e.*, can be accessed from
many (several thousand) terminals at the same time. It is capable of
multi-tasking, i.e., it can run many programs and process different sets
of data at the same time. Such computers are used in managing central
databases.
C. ______________________
They are now considered to be small mainframes usually accessed
from several terminals (multi-user). Minicomputers are more powerful
than microcomputers (PCs), but they are still inexpensive enough to be
bought by small and medium-sized organizations.
D. _____________________ (or _______________________ )
A computer small enough and cheap enough
to
be
bought
by
42
changeable
simultaneously
a piece of equipment joining the user to
the central
computer system
performing several operations at the
same time
opposite of single-user
small and firmly packed together
finish working in the way it should be
done
various parts forming an integrated
whole
used to assist or support
that cannot be interrupted
to link / connect
electricity supply
where most frequently used data is held
on a computer
electric circuits considered as a group
___
computer
___
___
___
___
this unit selects and controls signals and commands inside the
processor and
directs all the operations of the ALU.
___
Put the following elements in the right order. No extra elements need to be
added.
__________________________________________________________________________________
1. constitute / computer / Software / alone / doesn't / a / system
2. needs / A computer / hardware / system / software / complete /
both / and / to be
3. arithmetic-logical / unit / and / unit / are / control/ the / parts of
the / processor / The
4. processor / CPU / The / is / referred / as / the / usually / to
__________________________________________________________________________________
44
verb
+ noun
verb
+ noun
solve
p___________
select
i____________
parts
process
information / data
s____ of data
divide into
c____________
o___________
on data
h___________
instructions / data
/
settings (in
memory)
d___________
operations
attach
e___________
to the CPU /
peripherals
control
the f_______
store
use
p__________ and
data
perform
tasks /
al___________
s________ up
the computer
o___________
business data
en__________ /
provide
access
simulate
b__________ of
complex systems
r___________ /
ex_____________
a program
access
a computer /
a d____ b____
provide
power s_________ /
inter________ /
services
m__________
a data base
e____________
data / instructions
r___________
commands to
s___________
the speed of to
con__________
a system
re___________
instructions
45
_e
2. Divide the words in the box into sentences. Then find examples of verb
+ noun collocations. Some of them appear in the table on page 44.
the control unit selects instructions and data from the memory
in appropriate sequence and relays the proper commands to the
appropriate unit it also synchronizes the varied operating
speeds of the input and output devices to that of the arithmeticlogical unit (ALU) so as to ensure the proper movement of data
through
the
entire
computer
system
data
is
transferred
A
application
customized
defective
design
develop
environment
faulty
the latest
old
fashioned
platform
package
out-of-date
provide
run
supplier
supply
tailor-made
up-to-date
use
vendor
B
Verb + noun collocation
to design
OR develop
software
to
software
to
software
software
application
OR
software
software
OR
software
software
software
software
47