IV. Comprehension Check

1. Match the following words with the given definition: processor, keyboard, mouse, floppy-disk, hard-disk, modem, monitor, ROM, RAM.

a) nonvolatile, nonmodifiable computer memory, used to hold programmed instructions to the system;

b) the part of a computer on which a picture is formed or information is displayed;

c) rigid disk coated with magnetic material, for storing computer programs and relatively large amounts of data;

d) an electronic device that makes possible the transmission of data to or from computer via telephone or other communication lines;

e) a set of keys, usually arranged in tiers, for operating a typewriter, typesetting machine, computer terminal, or the like;

f) volatile computer memory, used for creating, loading, and running programs and for manipulating and temporarily storing data; main memory;

g) central processing unit: the key component of a computer system, containing the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions;

h) a palm-sized device equipped with one or more buttons, used to point at and select items on a computer display screen and for controlling the cursor by means of analogous movement on a nearby surface;

i) a thin, usually flexible plastic disk coated with magnetic material, for storing computer data and program.

Read the text again to decide if the statements are true or false. Correct the false ones with the facts from the text.

1. Computer is an electronic device therefore hardware is a system of electronic devices.

2. The purpose of the input hardware is to collect data and convert it into a form suitable for computer processing.

3. Scanner is used to input graphics only.

4. The purpose of processing hardware is to retrieve, interpret and direct the execution of software instructions provided to the computer.

5. CPU reads and interprets software and prints the results on paper.

6. User is unable to change the contents of ROM.

7. 5.25" floppy disks are used more often because they are flexible and have more capacity than 3.5" disks.

8. Printer is a processing hardware because its purpose is to show the information produced by the system.

9. Modem is an electronic device that makes possible the transmission of data from one computer to another via telephone or other communication lines.

10. The purpose of storage hardware is to store computer instructions and data in a form that is relatively permanent and retrieve them when needed for processing.

Answer the questions.

1. What is the Webster's dictionary definition of hardware?

2. What groups of hardware could be defined?

3. What is input hardware? What are the examples of input hardware?

4. What is a mouse designed for? What is a light pen?

5. What is processing hardware? What are the basic types of memory used in a PC?

6. Can a PC-user change the ROM? Who records the information in ROM?

7. What is storage hardware? What is CD-ROM used for? Can a user record his or her data on a CD? What kind of storage hardware can contain more information: CDROM, RAM or ROM?

8. What is modem used for?

V. Discuss the following with your groupmates.

What up-to-date pieces of hardware do you know? What are their advantages?

 

Практическое занятие №6

Тема: Устройства ввода данных.

Input Hardware

I. First thoughts. What pieces of input hardware do you know? Which of them do you prefer to use? Why?

II. Study the words. Make sure you know them. Practice the pronunciation.

bar code, dedicated data entry, function keys, key-to-disk, key-to-tape, optical mark, smart, touch screen.

III. Read the text and do the tasks following it.

Input hardware can be broken down into two main categories: keyboard-based and direct-entry. The keyboard, which comes in many shapes and sizes, is probably the most widely used mechanism for entering data into a computer-usable form. Many of its keys resemble typewriter keys; however, it also has special-function keys and special-purpose keys (to issue commands, among other things), cursor movement keys, and numeric keys (to enter numbers).

Terminals are often used for data input. They usually consist of a keyboard, video display screen, and a communications link to a main computer. Terminals can be dumb, smart, or intelligent. A dumb terminal is used only to input data; it cannot do any processing on its own. A smart computer is used to input data, but it also has some limited processing capabilities. An intelligent computer can input and receive data as well as do its own processing. Common types of terminals are the point-of-sale (POS) terminal, the financial transaction terminal, the executive workstation, and the microcomputer used as a terminal.

Data is also input using dedicated data entry systems such as key-to-tape and key-to-disk. These systems do nothing but input and store data. Direct-entry input devices do not use a keyboard.

Popular direct-entry data input devices today include: (1) card readers for microcomputer systems, (2) scanning devices and fax machines, (3) bar code readers, (4) optical mark readers, (5) MICR (magnetic-ink character recognition readers), (6) smart cards, (7) voice input devices, and (8) light pens, mice, touch screens, and digitizers (sometimes called pointing devices).

Most data that is input into a computer-usable form is not processed immediately; instead it is held on storage media until needed for processing. These media include paper and magnetic tape and disk — magnetic media being the most widely used today. Punched cards and paper tape were the first paper-based input media, but they are not used much anymore. Today, specialized input devices are being used frequently to read data recorded by hand, typed, or typeset on paper documents.

The conversion of data into a computer-usable form is a vital part of a computer based information system. Input control procedures are needed to safeguard the data's integrity and to ensure the production of complete and accurate information.