МЕТОДИЧНІ ВКАЗІВКИ
до самостійної роботи студентів
I. Тема: Computer Software
II. Навчальна мета.
Формування у студентів професійних мовних компетенцій, що сприятиме їхньому ефективному
функціонуванню у культурному розмаїтті навчального та професійного середовищ.
III. Завдання для самопідготовки.
Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs,
procedures and documentation that perform some task on a computer system. The term includes
application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system
software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary
services for application software, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed
[Link] term «software» is sometimes used in a broader context to describe any electronic
media content which embodies expressions of ideas such as film, tapes, records, etc.
Computer software is so called to contrast with computer hardware, which encompasses the
physical interconnections and devices required to store and execute (or run) the software. In
computers, software is loaded into RAM and executed in the central processing unit. At the
lowest level, software consists of a machine language specific to an individual processor. A
machine language consists of groups of binary values signifying processor instructions (object
code), which change the state of the computer from its preceding state. Software is an ordered
sequence of instructions for changing the state of the computer hardware in a particular
sequence. It is usually written in high-level programming languages that are easier and more
efficient for humans to use (closer to natural language) than machine language. High-level
languages are compiled or interpreted into machine language object code. Software may also be
written in an assembly language, essentially, a mnemonic representation of a machine language
using a natural language alphabet. Assembly language must be assembled into object code via an
assembler.
The term «software» was first used in this sense by John W. Tukey in 1958. In computer science
and software engineering, computer software is all computer programs. The concept of reading
different sequences of instructions into the memory of a device to control computations was
invented by Charles Babbage as part of his difference engine. The theory that is the basis for
most modem software was first proposed by Alan Turing in his 1935 essay ‘Computable
Numbers’.
Types
Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes: system software,
programming software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary, and often
blurred.
• System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes operating
systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing systems, utilities and more. The
purpose of system software is to insulate the applications programmer as much as possible from
the details of the particular computer complex being used, especially memory and other
hardware features, and such accessory devices as communications, printers, readers, displays,
keyboards, etc.
• Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer
programs and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The
tools include text editors, compilers, interpreters, linkers, debuggers, and so on. An Integrated
development environment (IDE) merges those tools into a software bundle, and a programmer
may not need to type multiple commands for compiling, interpreter, debugging, tracing, and etc.,
because the IDE usually has an advanced graphical user interface, or
GUI.
• Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (non-computer
related) tasks. Typical applications include industrial automation, business software, educational
software, medical software, databases, and computer games. Businesses are probably the biggest
users of application software, but almost every field of human activity now uses some form of
application software.
Program and Library
A program may not be sufficiently complete for execution by a computer. In particular, it may
require additional software from a software library in order to be complete. Such a library may
include software components used by stand-alone programs, but which cannot work on their
own. Thus, programs may include standard routines that are common to many programs,
extracted from these libraries. Libraries may also include ‘stand-alone’ programs which are
activated by some computer event and/or perform some function (e.g., of computer
‘housekeeping’) but do not return data to their calling program. Libraries may be called by one to
many other programs; programs may call zero to many other programs.
Three Layers
Starting in the 1980s, application software has been sold in mass- produced packages through
[Link] often see things differently than programmers. People who use modern general
purpose computers (as opposed to embedded systems, analog computers, supercomputers, etc.)
usually see three layers of software performing a variety of tasks: platform, application, and user
software.
Platform Software
Platform includes the firmware, device drivers, an operating system, and typically a graphical
user interface which, in total, allow a user to interact with the computer and its peripherals
(associated equipment). Platform software often comes bundled with the compu
ter. On a PC you will usually have the ability to change the platform software.
Application Software
Application software or Applications are what most people think of when they think of software.
Typical examples include office suites and video games. Application software is often purchased
separately from computer hardware. Sometimes applications are bundled with the computer, but
that does not change the fact that they run as independent applications. Applications are almost
always independent programs from the operating system, though they are often tailoredfor
specific platforms. Most users think of compilers, databases, and other «system software» as
applications.
User-Written Software
User software tailors systems to meet the users specific needs. User software includes
spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, and scripts for graphics
and animations. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software
themselves and often overlook how important it is. Depending on how competently the user-
written software has been integrated into purchased application packages, many users may not be
aware of the distinction between the purchased packages, and what has been added by fellow co-
workers.
Operation
Computer software has to be «loaded» into the computer’s storage (such as a hard drive,
memory, or RAM). Once the software is loaded, the computer is able to execute the software.
Computers operate by executing the computer program. This involves passing instructions from
the application software, through the system software, to the hardware which ultimately receives
the instruction as machine code. Each instruction causes the computer to carry out an
operation — moving data, carrying out a computation, or altering the control flow of
instructions. Data movement is typically from one place in memory to another. Sometimes it
involves moving data between memory and registers which enable high-speed data access in the
CPU. Moving data, especially large amounts of it, can be costly. So, this is sometimes avoided
by using «pointers» to data instead. Computations include simple operations such as
incrementing the value of a variable data element. More complex computations may involve
many operations and data elements together. Instructions may be performed sequentially,
conditionally, or iteratively. Sequential instructions are those operations that are performed one
after another. Conditional instructions are performed such that different sets of instructions
execute depending on the value(s) of some data. In some languages this is known as an «if»
statement. Iterative instructions are performed repetitively and may depend on some data value.
This is sometimes called a «loop.» Often, one instruction may «call» another set of instructions
that are defined in some other program or module. When more than one computer processor is
used, instructions may be executed simultaneously.
A simple example of the way software operates is what happens when a user selects an entry
such as «Сору» from a menu. In this i .ise, a conditional instruction is executed to copy text from
data in a document’ area residing in memory, perhaps to an intermediate stornge area known as a
‘clipboard’ data area. If a different menu entry such as «Paste» is chosen, the software may
execute the instructions lo copy the text from the clipboard data area to a specific location in
the same or another document in memory. Depending on the application, even the example
above could become complicated. The field of software engineering endeavors to manage the
complexity of how software operates. This is especially line for software that operates in the
context of a large or powerful computer, almost the only limitation on the use of computer ware
in applications is the ingenuity of the designer/programmer large areas of activities (such as
playing grand master
level chess) formerly assumed to be incapable of software simulation .не now routinely
programmed. The only area that has so far proved secure from software simulation is the realm
of human pleasing music and literature.
Say which o f the following statements are true or false. Correctthe false ones.
1. Computer software encompasses the physical interconnections and devices required to store
and execute (or run) the program.
2. The purpose of system software is to insulate the applications programmer as much as
possible from the details of the particular computer complex being used, especially memory and
other hardware features, and such accessory devices as communications, printers, readers,
displays, keyboards, etc.
3. Programming software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (non-computer
related) tasks.
4. Libraries may include standard routines that are common to many programs.
5. Application software often comes bundled with the computer and you will usually have the
ability to change it on a PC.
6. User software includes spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations,
and scripts for graphics and animations.
7. Instructions may be performed sequentially, conditionally, or iteratively.
8. Iterative instructions are those operations that are performed one after another.
9. Conditional instructions are performed such that different sets of instructions execute
depending on the value(s) of some data.
10. The only area that has so far proved reasonably secure from software simulation is the realm
of human art — especially, pleasing music and literature.
Summarize the text using the words from Vocabulary Exercises.
B. Vocabulary
Give Russian equivalents o f the following words and expressions:
suite; routine; clipboard; ingenuity; middleware; ordered sequence; retailer; debugger; template;
arbitrary; stand-alone; iteratively;bundle; encompass; extract; insulate; paste; precede;
endeavour; tailor.
Find the word belonging to the given synonymic group among thewords and word
combinations from the previous exercise:
1. cleverness, inventiveness, skill, creativity;
2. try, attempt, make an effort;
3. random, chance, subjective;
4. insert, attach, fix, stick;
5. set, group, collection;
6. supplied complete/as complete (with), furnish (with), deliver factory-assembled;
7. vendor, seller, trader, dealer;
8. separate, unconnected, unrelated, autonomous, individual, detached;
9. convert, develop, adapt, modify, fit;
10. pattern, model, sample, shape;
11. cover, include, take in;
12. fetch, retrieve, unload, get;
13. go before, come first, pave the way, head;
14. separate, detach, part, isolate, cut off
Translate the words/expressions into English:
предшествовать; произвольный, случайный; многократно; связующее ПО; отделять;
подпрограмма; охватывать; (программный) комплект; вставить; последовательность;
извлекать; шаблон.
IV. Результат самостійної поза аудиторної діяльності, питання для самоконтролю.
1. Who was the term first used by?
2. How do computer hardware and software correlate?
1. What major classes are software systems divided into? Describe
each one.
4. What does a library include?
5. How many layers of software do general purpose computers
comprise? Characterize all of them.
6. How do computers operate?
7. What is almost the only limitation on the use of computer
software? Why?
V. Рекомендована література.
Основна
С.В.Бобылева,Д.Н.Жаткин: Английский язык для сферы информационных технологий и
сервиса "Феникс" 2009
Т.Ю. Полякова «Английский язык для диалога с компьютером» Москва «Высшая школа» 2002.
И.С. Богацкий, Н.М. Дюканова Бизнес – курс английского языка, Киев, Логос, 1998
Т.Н.Гужва Английские разговорные темы, Киев, 1997И.А. Карпусь Английский деловой язык,
Киев, МАУП, 1997
Ю.А. Гапон Англійська мова для ділового спілкування, Київ, Видавництво Європейського
університету, 2003
Додаткова
Л.П. Овчиннікова 11 уроків ділового англійського мовлення, Харків, Основа, 2004
Sue Robbins First insights into Business, Longman, 2005