Mme BOUTOUIL S.
L1 ENGLISH USTO
1. Computer (General Introduction)
It is world-widely known that a computer is an electronic machine that
can accept input, process data and produce results (output) in a certain
format.
At the outset, information is entered into the memory of the computer. Once
the computer is run, the computer triggers a set of instructions and starts the
processing of the data. After that, the result can be seen on the display
(screen) or in a printer.
In the field of computer science, there is a great emphasis on two pivotal
parts of the computer system: hardware and software.
1.1. Hardware
This part constitutes the computer’s most prominent part. Hardware
refers to all the physical part of the computer. All the electronic or
mechanical parts that we can see or touch are called hardware.
The three hardware hardware sections are : the central processing
unit(CPU), main memory and peripherals.
1.1.1. Central Processing Unit
“Perhaps the most influential component is the central processing
unit. Its function is to execute program instructions and coordinates the
activities of all the other units. In a way, it is “the brain” of the
computer.” 1
[Link]. Processing:
1
Mme BOUTOUIL S. L1 ENGLISH USTO
The element that puts the mission in motion is inevitably the
central processing unit, also called the processor. No wonder, it
is the gist of the computer. All that concerns the executions of
program instructions and the coordination of activities is strictly
related to the processor.
The three primary parts that make the processor: the Control
Unit, the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the Registers.
[Link].1. The control unit is responsible for the examination of
the instructions of the user’s program and the interpretation
of instructions. Additionally, it causes the rest of the
components and the circuits to execute the functions
specified.
[Link].2. The arithmetic logic unit (ALU): it is the place where
all the mathematical calculation (addition, subtraction,
division and multiplication) and logical operations
(determining which of the two numbers is greater) are
performed.
[Link].3. The registers represent the units of memory that are
used to store and control data.
1.1.2. The main memory
“The main memory holds the instructions and data which are being
processed by the CPU.” 2
1.1.3. Peripherals
“Peripherals are the physical units attached to the computer. They
include storage devices and input/ output devices.” 3
2
Mme BOUTOUIL S. L1 ENGLISH USTO
[Link]. Storage devices: it is the place where data and prgmas are
stored permanently, for example the hard drive.
[Link]. Input devices are all the elements that we use to enter data
into the computer’s memory, such as, the keyboard and the
mouse.
[Link]. Output devices refer to all the components that present the
results produced by the computer system. For instance, the
printer and the display are output devices. (it allows us to have
the information in a readable form)
1.2. Software
This part is as pivotal as the hardware in the computer system. It is
considered as the fuel for this machine. In fact, this part holds the three
important groups without which the computer cannot run. The three
groups of programs are the following: the operating system, the
compilers or the translators and the users’ programs.
1.2.1. The operating system here there is an allusion to all the programs
that control all the activities in the computer. The supervision the
observation and the verification of the several operation in the
computer system if perform by the operation system. The
coordination of input/output operation and program execution are
present in the OP.
1.2.2. The compiler or the translator is defined as a program with which
the commands as well as instructions written in a high level language
are translated. The following definition provided by Evans explains
the essenceof this program seamlessly:
Mme BOUTOUIL S. L1 ENGLISH USTO
. A compiler is a computer program that generates other programs. It
translates an input program written in a high-level language that is
easier for humans to create into a program in a machine-level
language that can be executed by the computer. Admiral Grace
Hopper developed the first compilers in the 1950s.4
1.2.3. Application programs (also called user programs): these
languages are written in a high-level language. In fact, they are
present in order to meet diverse purposes. Fo example, Excel.
Exercise one 5:
Match the words (1-9) with the correct meanings (a-i).
1. Software a. The brain of the computer
2. Peripherals b. Physical parts that make up a
3. Main memory computer system
4. Hard drive( also known as hard c. Programs which can be used on
disk) a particular computer system
5. Hardware d. The information which is
6. Input presented to the computer
7. Ports e. Results produced by the
8. Output computer
9. Central processing unit f. Inputs devices attached to the
CPU
g. Section that holds programs and
data while they are executed or
processed
4
5
Mme BOUTOUIL S. L1 ENGLISH USTO
h. Magnetic device used to store
information
i. Sockets into which an external
device may be connected
Exercise two6:
Match each word from column A(1-8) with its partner from column B (a-h) to
make a computing term.
B
a. Code
b. Key
c. Drive
d. Supply
e. Card
f. Chip
g. Memory
h. disk
1. Memory
2. Power
3. Function
4. Expansion
5. Bar
6. Floppy
7. cache
8. Disk