Você está na página 1de 3

COMPUTER AND ITS TYPES

Computer is a programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of a computer are:


 It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.
 It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).
Modern computers are electronic and digital. The actual machinery - wires, transistors, and circuits - is called hardware; the
instructions and data are called software.
All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:
 memory: Enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs.
 mass storage device : Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common
mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives.
 input device: Usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and
instructions enter a computer.
 output device: A display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has
accomplished.
 central processing unit (CPU): The heart of the computer, this is the component that actually
executes instructions.
In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For
example, every computer requires a bus that transmits data from one part of the computer to another.
There are many different types of computer - used for many different jobs. Here are some of the popular types of computer that
you can find in use today.
Pocket (palmtop) Computer
Pocket computers have been designed to allow people to keep lots of information close to hand. These computers have special
operating systems suited to pocket computers.
One problem with small computers is that they don't have full-sized keyboards attached. These computers use special pens and
touch-sensitive screens to enter data as well as a number of small buttons or keys.
Laptop Computer
The person using a laptop should be able to run all the same software on the laptop as runs on larger desktop computers as
laptop computers have the same types of operating system as desktop ones. Modern laptops can have floppy drives, CD-ROM
drives, and even DVD drives. They often have a full-sized keyboards and a mouse or a touch-sensitive mouse pad. The screen is
usually a large Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
The main advantage of a laptop is that the person using it can have all the programs and data from their desktop computer on a
portable computer.
Micro (desktop) Computer
At the moment there are two main types of desktop computer available: the Mac and the PC. Mac is short for Macintosh -
it is usually distinguished by its stylish looks and bright colours.
When people talk about PCs they usually mean an 'IBM-compatible' computer based on an Intel (or similar) microprocessor.
The most common operating system for the PC is Microsoft Windows although other operating systems are available (e.g. Linux).
Mainframe/Supercomputer
These computers are used for performing many millions of complex calculations in a short time. They are very large and
expensive. They are used to predict the weather, handle bank accounts, hold insurance details.
In between the mainframe and the microcomputer is the minicomputer.

Active vocabulary
set of instructions, digital, machinery, hardware, data, software, memory, to store, device, mass storage device, to retain, input
device, conduit, output device, to accomplish, central processing unit, to execute, to transmit, to keep smth. close to hand,
operating system, touch-sensitive, Liquid Crystal Display, advantage, compatible, microprocessor, to perform
Assignments

1. Give the Russian for:


programmable machine, set of instructions, hardware, software, memory, storage device, input/output device, central
processing unit, basic components, pocket (palmtop) computer, laptop computer, micro (desktop) computer, mainframe,
operating system, disk drive, bus, Liquid Crystal Display
2. Give the English for:
выполнять (3), цифровой, данные, хранить (2), запускать, передавать данные, держать что-л. под рукой, сенсорный экран,
операционная система, совместимый, давать возможность, требовать, устройство ввода/вывода, микропроцессор,
временно, постоянно, клавиатура, позволять, память, программное обеспечение, отличать(ся)
3. Find the synonyms to the following words in the text.
to react, to perform (2), to need (demand), to keep (2), to let (to permit), quantity, fundamental constituent, to devise, to insert, to
recognize, usual
4. Find Infinitives and Infinitive Constructions in the text. Define the function of the Infinitive./ Find Modal verbs and state
their meaning.
5. Match the words with their dictionary definition.
Computer The entire set of programs, procedures, and related documentation
associated with a computer system.
Hardware An assemblage of systematically arranged keys by which a machine
or device is operated.
Software A small mobile manual device that controls movement of the cursor
on a computer display.
CPU An electronic device (as a cathode-ray tube) that temporarily presents
information in visual form.
Keyboard A programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process
data.
Mouse A set of parallel conductors in a computer system that forms a main
transmission path.
Display Principal component of a digital computer, composed of a control
unit, an instruction-decoding unit, and an arithmetic-logic unit.
Program A large fast computer that can handle multiple tasks concurrently.
Bus Computer machinery and equipment, including memory, cabling,
power supply, peripheral devices, and circuit boards.
Mainframe A sequence of coded instructions that can be inserted into a
mechanism (as a computer).

6. Fill the gaps.


1. _____ _____ ____ is heart of the computer, this is the component that actually ______instructions.
2. Modern computers are _____ and _____.
3. ______ computers have special _____ _____ suited to pocket computers.
4. Every computer _____ a bus that ______ data from one part of the computer to another.
5. _____ is usually _____ by its stylish looks and bright colours.
6. Computer can ______ a prerecorded list of instructions (_____).
7. _____ enables a computer_____, at least temporarily, data and programs.
8. When people talk about _____ they usually mean an 'IBM-_____' computer based on an Intel (or similar) _____.
9. Pocket computers use special ____ and ___-___ screens to enter ____ as well as a number of small buttons or keys.
10. The instructions and data are called _____.
11. Mass ______ device ____ a computer to permanently ____ large amounts of data.
12. _____ are used for performing many millions of complex ____in a short time.
7. Answer the questions and ask more detailed ones.
1. What is a computer?
2. What are its principle characteristics?
3. What are the hardware components a general-purpose computer require?
4. What are the most popular types of computers?
8. Work in teams and write down false statements based on the text (no fewer than 6 statements). Present them in class. Use the
information from the text to refute (опровергнуть) the other team’s false statements.
9. Render the text.
10. Read the text and name the basic characteristics of the computer generations.
Generations of modern computers are characterized by their technology. First-generation computers, developed mostly in the
U.S. after World War II, used vacuum tubes and were enormous. The second generation, introduced in 1960, used transistors and
were the first successful commercial computers. Third-generation computers (late 1960s and 1970s) were characterized by
miniaturization of components and use of integrated circuits. The microprocessor chip, first introduced in 1974, defines fourth-
generation computers. The fifth generation emphasizes artificial intelligence, focusing on machine reasoning and logic
programming languages. Early machines were analog computers, but most today are digital computers. In the last 50 years
computers have changed the way people live and work, and their development has made the information age possible.

Você também pode gostar