计算机英语短文,计算机英语短文

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Diane蓝调

2013.10.19

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What is a Computer?

Computers are machines that can be used for performing calculations automatically. They can perform complex and repetitive procedures quickly, precisely and reliably and can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data.

The physical components from which a computer is constructed (electronic circuits and input/output devices) are known as "hardware". Most computers have four types of hardware components: input, processor, storage (main memory, auxiliary storage) and output.

Input and output (I/O) devices allow the computer to communicate with the user and the outside world. The CPU (central processing unit) executes programs ("software") which tell the computer what to do.

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).

Classification of computers

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows:

• Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data.

• Workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.

• Minicomputer : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from tens to hundreds of users simultaneously.

• Mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds to thousands of users simultaneously.

• Supercomputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform millions of instructions per second.

Generations of Computers

The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different generations of computing devices. Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate. It resulted in smaller, cheaper, and more powerful, efficient and reliable devices.

• First Generation- 1940-1956: Vacuum tubes were used and it relied on machine language to perform operations, and they could only solve one problem at a time.

• Second Generation - 1956-1963: Transistors were used and computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic, or assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words.

• Third Generation - 1964-1971: Integrated circuits -Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called semiconductors. Users interacted through keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system.

• Fourth Generation - 1971-Present: Microprocessors -The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits were built onto a single silicon chip.

• Fifth Generation - Present and Beyond: Artificial intelligence -Computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today

IPSO

Most computers have four types of hardware components: input, processor, storage (auxiliary storage) and output. Input and output (I/O) devices allow the computer to communicate with the user and the outside world. The CPU (central processing unit) executes programs ("software") which tell the computer what to do.

IPSO Cycle

The diagram given explains the operations in the computer. First the data enters the computer through the input device, and then processing occurs at the processing unit. The processing unit is the microprocessor chip. Processing unit comprises of the control unit and arithmetic and logical unit and main memory. There are storage devices (auxiliary storage) which store the processed data and data can be retrieved at anytime. The processed data is sent out to the output devices for the user.

Input ----- Processing ------ Storage ----- Output

NEW WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

automatically adv. 自动地

repetitive adj.各自的

retrieve v. 恢复，补救

physical adj.物理的，自然的

auxiliary adj.辅助的，附加的，副的 n.补助物

main memory 主存

auxiliary memory辅存

execute v.执行，实现

prerecord v.事先录音

microprocessor n.微处理器

in addition to adv.除…什么之外

monitor n.显示器

simultaneously adv.同时地

technological adj.科技的

fundamentally adv.基础地，根本地

Vacuum tube 电子管

transistor 晶体管

cryptic adj.秘密的，神秘的

binary adj.二进位的

symbolic adj.象征的，符号的

semiconductor n.半导体

artificial intelligence 人工智能

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