Lesson 2. A computer operating system

I. Before reading the following text, look at the words below. How many of them do you know? How many of them could you guess?

card slot — гнездо для платы

distributed — распределенные

interact — взаимодействовать

backbone — (зд.) магистраль сети

managing — координирующая

allocation of memory — распределение памяти

commonly — часто, в большинстве случаев

liaison — связь взаимодействия

efficiently — рационально

tools — инструментарий

interpreter — преобразователь данных

linker — компоновщик, редактор связи

debugger — программа отладки

to merge — объединять

bundle — связка

to accomplish — выполнять

application suite — прикладной программный комплекс (напр., Microsoft Office)

spreadsheet — крупноформатная (электронная) таблица

template — шаблон

simulation — имитационное моделирование

 

II. Read and translate the text.

A collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform specific tasks on a computer system as desired by the user is known as Computer Software. Examples include application software such as word processors, which perform productive tasks for users, and system software.

They interact with the hardware to provide the necessary services for application software and middle ware that controls and coordinates distributed systems. Software also includes websites, programs, video games, etc that are coded by programming languages like C, HTML, Java, PHP, etc. An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer operating system is its most important software. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners. Commonly used operating systems for IBM compatible personal computers include Microsoft Windows, Linux, and UNIX variations. For Macintosh computers, Mac OS X, Linux, BSD, and some Windows variants are commonly used. Device driver software is small files that act like liaisons between hardware in a computer system and the operating system (OS). Hardware requires device drivers so that the OS can see the devices and handle them effectively and efficiently. Common components that require drivers include keyboards, mice, controllers, graphics cards, audio hardware, wireless cards, ports, card readers, card slots and CD/DVD drives. Multiple applications bundled together as a package are sometimes referred to as an application suite. Microsoft Office, Open Office org, and work 08, which bundle together a word processor, a spreadsheet, and several other discrete applications, are typical examples. User written software tailors systems to meet the users’ specific needs. User written software includes spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, and graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software. Users create this software themselves.

III. Give the Russian equivalents for the following expressions.

Business software, computer hard drives, productive tasks, distributed systems, device driver software, an advanced graphical user interface, scientific simulations, email filters, animation scripts, a software bundle, common components, middle ware.

IV. Pick out from the text all the word combinations with the following words (terms) and give their Russian equivalents:

Programming; computer; software; user; system; device; task.

V. Match the following English expressions (A-L) and their Russian equivalents (1-12):

A  input peripherals	1. аппаратное моделирование
B  hardware compatible	2. эффективно использовать ресурсы
C  to use resources effectively	3. макрооперация, определенная пользователем
D  software tools	4. периферийные устройства ввода
E  graphics editor	5. (стандартный) блок испытательной программы
F  debugging compiler	6. периферийные устройства вывода
G  educational software	7. программа редактирования графической информации
H  antivirus package	8. отладочный компилятор
I  test program template	9. аппаратно-совместимый
J  output peripherals	10. программные средства
K  user-defined macros	11. обучающее программное обеспечение
L hardware simulation	12. антивирусный пакет программ

VI. Sum up the contents of the text by answering the following questions:

1. What is OS? 2. What is it responsible for? 3. What operating system do you know? 4. What acts like liaisons between hardware in a computer system and the operating system? 5. What is the function of device driver software? 6. What for does hardware require device drivers? 7. What OS are used for personal computers? 8. What tools are provided by programming software? 9. What do typical applications include? 10. What is an application suite? 11. What does user written software include?

VII. Read the text and do the assignments after it.