Characteristics

[1] Computers are machines designed to process, electronically, specially prepared pieces of information which are termed data. Handling or manipulating the information that has been given to computer, in such ways as doing calculations, adding information or making comparisons is called processing. Computers are made up of millions electronic devices capable of storing data or moving them, at enormous speed, through complex circuits with different functions.

[2] All computers have several characteristics in common, regardless of make or design. Information, in the form of instructions and data, is given to the machine, after which the machine action it, a result is then returned. The information presented to the machine is the input; the internal manipulative operations, the processing; and the result, the output. These three basic concepts of input, processing, and output occur in almost every aspect of human life whether at work or at play. For example, in clothing manufacturing, the input is the pieces of cut cloth; the processing is the sewing together of these pieces, and the output is the finished garment.

INPUT COMPUTER OUTPUT

MASS STORAGE

[3] Figure shows schematically the fundamental hardware components in a computer system. The centerpiece is called either the computer, the processor, or, usually, the central processing unit (CPU). The term 'computer' includes those parts of hardwarein which calculations and other data manipulations are performed, and the high-speed internal memory in which data and calculations are stored during actual execution of programs. Attached to the CPU are the various peripheral devicessuch as card readers and keyboards(two common examples of input devices). When data or programs need to be saved for long periods of time, they are stored on various secondary memorydevices or storage devicessuch as floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, flash memory and so on..

[4] Computers have often been thought of as extremely large adding machines, but this is a very narrow view of their function. Although a computer can only respond to a certain number of instructions, it is not a single-purposemachine since these instructions can be combined in an infinite number of sequences. Therefore, a computer has no known limit on the kinds of things it can do; its versatility is limited only by the imagination of those using it.

[5] In the late 1950s and early 1960s when electronic computers of the kind in use today were being developed, they were very expensive to own and run. Moreover, their size and reliability were such that a large number of support personnel were needed to keep the equipment operating. This has all changed now that computing power has become portable, more compact and cheaper.

[6] In only a very short period of time, computers have greatly changed the way in which many kinds of work are performed. Computers can remove many of the routine and boring tasks from our lives, thereby leaving us with more time for interesting, creative work. It goes without saying that computers have created whole new areas of work that did not exist before their development.

IX. Which statement or statements best express the main idea of the text? Why do you think so?

1. Computers have changed the way in which we live.

2. All computers have an input, a processor, an output and a storage device.

3. Computers have decreased man's work load.

4. All computers have the same basic hardware components.

X. Say " True" or " False". If " False" correct the sentence. Rely on the information from the text.

1. All information to be processed must be prepared in such a way that the computer will understand it.

2. Because of the complex electronic circuitry of a computer, data can be either stored or moved about at high speed.

3. Not all computers can process data given to them and pro­duce results.

4. The basic concepts of data processing are restricted to com­puters alone.

5. The processor is the central component of a computer sys­tem.

6. All other devices used in a computer system are attached to the CPU.

7. Memory devices are used for storing information.

8. Computers are very much restricted in what they can do.

9. Computers today cost less, are smaller, and need fewer peo­ple to operate them than in the past.

10. Computers haven't changed our working conditions very much.

XI. Find the passages in the text where the following ideas are expressed.

1. All computers are basically the same.

2. Then arithmetic and/or decision-making operations are performed.

3. Computers are limited by man's imagination more then anything else.

4. All the equipment used in a computer system is the hardware.

5. Computers are electronic machines used for processing data.

6. If programs or data need to be kept for a long time, they are stored on disks.

7. First the computer accepts data.

8. Finally, new information is presented to the user.

XII. Complete the following definitions with the appropriate words. Make sure you used the correct form.