Топики на экзамен по английскому

1. WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

The term computer is used to describe a device made up of a combination of electronic and electromechanical 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 software instructions and respond to the procedures that those instructions present.

The basic job of the computer is the processing of 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. Computer is also used to store information in the digital form.

2. HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND FIRMWARE

The units that are visible in any computer are the physical components of a data processing system, or hardware. Thus, the input, storage, processing and control devices are hardware. Not visible is the software — the set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation.

Systems software are the programs designed to control the operation of a computer system. They do not solve specific problems.

Applications software are the programs written to solve specific problems (applications), such as payroll, inventory control, and investment analysis.

Often programs, particularly systems software, are stored in an area of memory not used for applications software. These protected programs are stored in an area of memory called read only memory (ROM), which can be read from but not written on.

Firmware is a term that is commonly used to describe certain programs that are stored in ROM. Firmware often refers to a sequence of instructions (software) that is substituted for hardware.

3. CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

In digital computers the CPU can be divided into two functional units called the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic-logical unit (ALU). These two units are made up of electronic circuits with millions of switches that can be in one of two states, either on or off.

The function of the CU within the central processor is to transmit coordinating control signals and commands. The control unit is that part of the computer that directs the sequence of step-by-step operations of the system, selects instructions and data from memory, interprets the program instructions, and controls the flow between main storage and the arithmetic-logical unit.

The ALU, on the other hand, is that part of the computer in which the actual arithmetic operations are performed.

4. SOME FEATURES OF A DIGITAL COMPUTER

The four circuits in a computer are known as the OR, AND, NOT and FLIP-FLOP. They are called logic gates.

The numbers and the instructions which form the program, are stored in the memory. The second important unit of the computer is the control. In convert the command into a set of voltages to carry out the instructions. The third basic element of a computer is the arithmetic device. It contains the circuits performing the arithmetic computations.

Finally a computer requires appropriate input-output devices which insert numbers and orders into the memory and for reading the final result.

5. MY FUTURE PROFESSION

6. SOFTWARE BASICS

Computer software determines the types of tasks a computer can help you accomplish.

The instructions that tell a computer how to carry out a task are referred to as a computer program. These programs form the software that prepares a computer to do a specific task, such as document production, video editing, graphic design or Web browsing.

One of the files included in a software package contains an executable program designed to be launched, or started, by users. On PCs, these programs are stored in files that typically have .exe file extensions and are referred to as “executable files”. Other files supplied with a software package contain programs that are not designed to be run by users. These “support programs” contain instructions for the computer to use in conjunction with the main user-executable file.

The use of a main user-executable file plus several support programs and data files offers a great flexibility and efficiency for software developers.

7. OPERATING SYSTEMS

An operating system (abbreviated OS) is a type of system software that acts as a mast controller for all the activities that take place within a computer system. It is one of the factors that determine your computer compatibility and platform. The operating system interacts with application software, device drivers, and hardware to manage a computer’s resources. The term resource refers to any component that is required to perform work. For example, the processor is a resource. RAM, storage space, and peripherals are also resources.

Operating system manages different tasks:

• Manage memory. OS allocates a specific area of RAM for each program that is open and running.

• Manage processor resources. Every cycle of a computer’s microprocessor is a resource for accomplishing tasks.

• Keep track of storage resources. OS stores and retrieves files from your disks and CDs.

• Ensure that input and output proceed in an orderly manner.

• Establish basic elements of the user interface.

8. APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Additional software help you to increase computer’s productivity, business, learning, or entertainment capabilities.

This software assists you with composing, editing, designing, printing, and electronically publishing documents. The three most popular types of document software are word processing, desktop publishing, and Web authoring.

Document production software makes it easy to let your ideas flow because it automatically handles many tasks as “word wrap”, a spelling checker. It offers several features that can improve the quality of your writing.

A spreadsheet uses rows and columns of numbers to create a model or representation of a real situation. Today, spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, provides tools to create electronic spreadsheets.

A database is simply a collection of data that is stored on one or more computers. It can contain any sort of data. Database software helps you enter, find, organize, update, and report information stored in a database.

Graphics software is designed to help you create, manipulate, and print graphics. Some graphics software products specialize in a particular type of graphic, while others allow you to work with multiple graphics formats.