COMPUTER AND ITS FUNCTIONS

Read and translate the text

What is a Computer?

             The term computer is used to describe a device made up of a combination of electronic and electromechanical (part electronic and part mechanical) components. Computer has no intelligence by itself and is referred to as hardware. A computer system is a combination of five elements:

·         Hardware

·         Software

·         People

·         Procedures

·         Data/information

Software is the term used to describe the instructions that tell the hardware how to perform a task. Without software instructions, the hardware doesn’t know what to do. People, however, are the most important component of the computer system: they create the computer hardware and software.

The basic job of computer is processing information. Computers accept information in the form of instruction called a program and characters called data to perform mathematical and logical operations, and then give the results. The data is raw material while information is organized, processed, refined and useful for decision making. Computer is used to convert data into information.

                                                                                   

intelligence - розум

raw – необроблений

convert – переробляти, перетворювати

refine – очищати

Answer the questions:

1. What does the term “computer” describe?
2. Is computer intelligent?
3. What are five components of computer system?
4. What is software? What’s the difference between hardware and software?
5. Why people are the most important component of a computer system?
6. In what way terms “data” and “information” differ?

Which of the listed below statements are true or false? Specify your answer using the text.

1.   Computer has no intelligence until software is loaded.
2. There are five elements of computer system: hardware, software, people, motherboard, and data.
3. Without software instructions hardware doesn’t know what to do.
4. The software is the most important component because it is made by people.
5. The user inputs data into computer to get information as an output. 

Functions of a Personal Computer:

1. Input: we enter data with a keyboard, a webcam, etc.
2. Processing: the data is manipulated according to program instructions.
3. Storage: we keep data and programs in memory systems where they are available for processing.
4. Output: we can see the result on the screen or in printed form

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF COMPUTERS

1. Input - In order for the computer to function, data and instructions have to be input into it in a suitable form. This is done via input devices. Examples of input devices are the keyboard, the mouse, and microphone. It involves receiving information from the environment, or from storage devices, through an input device.

2. Output – Presentation of data to the environment from main memory of the computer to media external to the CPU. Common output devices, like the printer and the monitor present the information to the user in a format he/she can immediately understand (e.g. printed on paper or displayed on screen)

3. Processing – Manipulation of data in a variety of ways applying rules of arithmetic and logic. This is commonly referred to as the “brain” of the computer system and is responsible for converting data and instructions into useful information.

4. Storing – recording of data in a relatively permanent form i.e. disk, CD and other storage devices for access later on.

Hometask:

Match the following:

1.      процесор

2.      клавіатура

3.      мишка

4.      дискета

5.      «вінчестер»

6.      модем

7.      екран

8.      ПЗП

9.      ОЗП

a)    nonvolatile, nonmodifiable computer memory, used to hold programmed instructions to the system.

b)   the part of a computer on which a picture is formed or information is displayed.

c)    rigid disc coated with magnetic material, for storing programs and relatively large amounts of data.

d)   an electronic device that maces possible the transmission of data to or from computer via telephone or other communication lines.

e)    set of keys, usually arranged in tiers, used to key in data into the computer

f)    volatile computer memory, used for creating, loading and running programs and for manipulating and temporarily storing data; main memory.

g)   central processing unit: the key component of a computer system, containing the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions

h)   a palm-sized device equipped with two buttons, used to point at and select items on a computer screen and for controlling the cursor by means of analogous movement on a nearby surface.

i)     thin, usually flexible plastic disc coated with magnetic material, for storing computer data  and programs.

volatile – нестійкий, тимчасовий

rigid – жорсткий

coated – покритий

via – через  

circuitry – схеми

to interpret – тлумачити

to execute – виконувати

temporarily – тимчасово

purpose – мета

 flexible – гнучкий