IV. Comprehension Check

1. Match the following words with their synonyms marked in the text with bold type: meet, transform, essential, volumes, choose, work out, disabled, complete, classified, stays permanently, encompasses.

2. Match each of the following terms to the phrase that is the most closely related: 1. desktop publishing software, 2. word processing software, 3. interpreter, 4. external command instructions, 5. applications software, 6. multitasking, 7. timesharing, 8. booting, 9. front-end processor, 10. internal command, 11. virtual memory, 12. instructions, 13. database management systems software, 14. integrated software, 15. spreadsheet software.

a. Computer that schedules and controls users' processing requests

b. Software used to easily store large amounts of data, sort it into order, and retrieve information

c. Software used to develop personalized reports involving the use of mathematical, financial, statistical, and logical processing

d. This refers to many terminals or user stations connected to and being supported by another computer.

e. With this, the computer can process as though it has an almost unlimited supply of main memory.

f. This involves turning a computer on and loading a copy of important systems software instructions into main memory.

g. Systems software that supports this capability can execute more than one program at a time.

h. Instructions automatically loaded into main memory when the computer is turned on

i. Software that allows you to easily create, edit, and print documents

j. This type of language processor converts high-level program instructions into machine-language instructions one instruction at a time.

k. These types of systems software instructions are often referred to as utility programs.

l. Software that allows you to combine text and graphics to create neartypeset-quality newsletters, documentation manuals, and forms on a laser printer

m. Software intended to satisfy your particular business or personal processing

requirements

n. Software that combines word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics, and communications capabilities

o. Software that tells the computer how to interpret data and instructions, how to run peripheral equipment, and how to use hardware in general

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

Answer the questions.

1. Why is systems software so important to a computer system?

2. How are interpreters and compilers different?

3. What is the difference between internal and external command instructions?

4. What is virtual memory and why is it significant?

5. Why do many business users use operating environment software?

6. What are some factors to consider when choosing systems software?

7. What is the difference between multiprogramming and multiprocessing?

8. If you are in charge of acquiring microcomputer hardware and software, should you select the hardware first or the software? Why?

9. What is integrated software?

10. What is spreadsheet software used for? How is it different from database software? From word processing software?

V. Discuss the following with your groupmates.

What capabilities of systems software on large computers do you expect to see on future microcomputers?

Практическое занятие №14

Тема: Разработка ПО.

Developing Software

I. First thoughts. Discuss the advantages and the limitations of the programming languages you are aware of.

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

Algorithm, American National Standards Institute (ANSI), applications generator, decision support system, financial planning language, hierarchy plus input-process-output (HIPO), International Standards Organization (ISO), iteration, loop, natural language, (non)procedural language, program flowchart, pseudocode, query language, RPG (Report Program Generator), sequence control structure, top-down design.