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computers no larger or thicker than an A4 notepad have become commonplace. Despite these transformations, however, the same basic pattern emerges: data is inputted using an input device, usually a keyboard, a mouse, a pen or a scanner. This information is then stored in the computers memory until the user needs to retrieve it. Once the retrieval of data is complete, the relevant information is either displayed on a screen (soft copy) or can be printed out by a printer (hard copy). Progress in the area of software has not matched the great advances in hardware. Software has become the major cost of many systems because programming productivity has not increased very quickly. New programming techniques, such as object-oriented programming, have been developed to help relieve this problem. Despite difficulties with software, however, the cost per calculation of computers is rapidly lessening, and their convenience and efficiency are expected to increase in the early future. The computer field continues to experience huge growth. Computer networking, computer mail, and electronic publishing are just a few of the applications that have grown in recent years. Advances in technologies continue to produce cheaper and more powerful computers offering the promise that in the near future, computers or terminals will reside in most, if not all homes, offices, and schools.
INFO
FORTRAN one of the first high-level programming languages, initially invented to allow a concise wording of numerical problems; other high-level programming languages: BASIC, COBOL, PASCAL, C, C++, JAVA; low-level programming languages: the assembly language (the assembler) and machine language (machine code) LISP programming language invented by John McCarthy in 1960 in order to process character rows and lists COBOL programming language created in 1958 for financial administration program writing; it allowed large file processing, alphanumeric information handling, report editing ALGOL scientific programming language created in 1958 that obeyed three exigencies: to be as close as possible to regular mathematical notations; to be legible enough to become an algorithm communication language; to be compilable BASIC - programming language whose purpose was to provide scientific learning programming tools by means of an interactive environment MOS, C-MOS technology commonly used to manufacture integrated circuits RISC elementary processor architecture whose purpose was to obtain performances by using a regular set of instructions which allowed instruction pipeline processing.
I.
II. Match the following words (1 10) with their appropriate definitions (A J):
1. Bulky 2. Silicon chip 3. Transistor 4. Reliable 5. Scanner 6. Laptop 7. To etch 8. To retrieve 9. Wafer 10. Accuracy A. a computer that can be carried easily B. an essential component of a microprocessor C. to recover or regain lost information or data D. condition or quality of being true, correct or exact E. taking up a lot of space F. a thin, small disk G. you can count on it H. the type of technology that made miniaturisation possible I. an automatic electronic means of inputting data J. to engrave as to form a design
III. The following names are related to the history of computers. Read the above text once again and decide whos who using the list below. Two names are not in the text:
1. Charles Babbage; 2. Blaise Pascal; 3. Bill Gates; 4. Vannevar Bush; 5. Grace Hopper; 6. Ada Lovelace; 7. Von Neumann; 8. J. Eckert and J. Mauchly
A. The inventor of the first analog computer B. Allegedly the first programmer C. The inventor of the analytical engine and alleged father of computers D. The one who developed the idea of keeping instructions for the computer inside the computers memory E. Mathematician, inventor of a hand powered adding machine F. Creator of the first spreadsheet program and former Microsoft CEO G. Inventors of the ENIAC, the first digital mainframe H. The US army colonel who helped develop COBOL
IV. a) Fill in the table with the appropriate dates and inventions:
DATE .. 1946 1947 PERSON AND/OR INVENTION Babbages calculating machine .. The invention of the .. in .. Laboratories .. J. Kilby invented the . .. 1956 ..
Automatic (1) has a long history. The (2) calculators were (3) in the early 17th century. The German mathematician Gottfried Leibnitz speculated (4) the possibility of building a calculator using (5) balls to represent numbers in (6) code. Self-playing musical instruments and (7) automata incorporated the notion of storing a sequence of instructions (8) .In 1725 Basile Bouchon invented a method of producing woven patterns on a draw loom from instructions on a (9) paper tape. Jacquard later refined this method into a highly successful automatic loom controlled by (10) cards. (11) of the elements of a truly general-purpose computer (12) be found in the analytical engine conceived by Babbage in 1835. In 1941 Konrad Zuse in Germany built the (13) first working stored-program computer. In the USA, the mathematician Howard Aiken, in association with IBM (International Business Machines), worked independently on a large electromechanical calculator that (14) be programmed using paper tape. Computers later based on the electronic thermionic valve were a major (15) .
THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE Uses: Before a countable noun e.g.: A computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a set of instructions. Before nouns used as the representative of a class e.g.: Michael is a computer programmer. Before names of origin e.g.: Bill Gates, the creator of the first spreadsheet program, former Microsoft CEO and currently the richest man on the planet, is an American. Religion e.g.: He is a Catholic. Politics e.g.: He is a Republican.
THE ZERO ARTICLE Uses: Before abstract nouns: death, life, love, freedom, hate etc. e.g.: Most people fear death. Before names with a general meaning e.g.: Computers are widely used nowadays. The GPS system my father bought me for my birthday is cutting-edge technology. before names of languages e.g.: Mike speaks English very well. Before names of days, months, seasons, holidays e.g.: On Monday, George starts work as a computer programmer for a famous computer firm. Before names of subjects (in school) e.g.: Computer science is a set of very efficient tools with which the common user can organize, process, present and transmit all kind of information. Before names of means of transport: by air, by boat, by bus, by car, by plane, by sea, by ship
EXERCISES
I. Translate into English: Magistrala; placa audio; unitatea central de procesare; cartuul; cifra; o eroare; o gril; jetonul; majuscula; mufa; un nucleu; panglica (de imprimant); versiunea; un portal; un releu; stiva; stratul; o sucursal; un ir; telecomanda.
II. Fill in the blanks with a/an/the/zero article and motivate your choice: 1. Where are you going next week? We are staying at home, because we have to study hard to pass exams. 2. computer shop is closed today. It is Sunday. 3. sound card you bought is less reliable than one I have at home. 4. She is teacher and works in one of those schools near your house. 5. Numerical methods is one of hardest subjects in computer science faculty. 6. Shes visiting United States next month. 7. I cant remember where, but my best friend is studying in university in France. 8. They have got two children: boy and girl. girls seven and boys nine. 9. How often does he go to London? He goes to London once year. 10. How much time do you work day? I work 7 hours and half every day. 11. Ive decided to go freelance and hire myself out as computer programmer. 12. Because of crisis, company Microsoft has been forced to lay off several thousand employees. 13. good manager is not so easy to find. 14. distributors will probably boost the price of .. software when .. next version is released.