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UNIT 2. LESSON 3

Read the text without a dictionary.

2B. MINI-COMPUTER REVOLUTION

Some years ago, the calculator that could fit a vest pocket was still a dream. But thanks to rapid advances in semiconductor technology, the thousands of transistors and other components required to perform the four basic arithmetic operations have been placed in a single integrated circuit about the size of two postage stamps.

But these calculators are only a hint of things to come. We're going to see a true pocket computer in the near future. There appear programmable calculators, machines that can accept complex instructions and use them to automatically perform mathematical operations - just like a computer. The major limitation for vest-pocket computers is the size of the keyboard, not the electronics which is required.

Improved memory technology will provide calculators with almost unbelievable capabilities during the next ten years of the calculator evolution. Even existing memories offer truly incredible storage possibilities. Scientists predicted existing technology could be used to build a memory capable of storing an incredible hundreds of millions bits of information. The memory would occupy a volume of only one cubic inch.

With only a million-bit memory it is possible to use a pocket calculator as a combination of computer, telephone directory, diary, note pad, appointment calendar and dictionary. Frequently used formulas, equations, hard-to-spell words, phone numbers, addresses, names, business contacts and data are stored in the machine's memory simply by keying in the appropriate data. Readout is achieved by a paper tape which rapidly and silently prints the requested information when an encoded instruction is keyed into the machine.

These capabilities are already available in existing pocket machines. The business calculator - a shirt-pocket-size device - incorporates a 200-year calendar in its memory. The miniature paper tape printers have already been developed and are in use on several machines slightly larger, but small enough to fit in the side pocket of a jacket.

Only the keyboard size will limit the miniaturization of vest-pocket computers. The keyboard will require keys for the entire alphabet, the ten digits and various function, memory and instruction keys. Even with a special shift key to double the function of each key, as many as 35 to 40 keys will be required. A typical pocket calculator today has from 7 to 10 keys. Vest-pocket computers will require new kinds of keyboards or perhaps a stylus which is manually touched to various labelled contacts.

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Already many people are efficiently using low cost add-subtract-multiply-divide pocket calculators to simplify income tax calculations, count calories, plan budgets and figure gasoline mileage.

Thus, the most significant achievement of modern science has been the appearance of fast-calculating and computing devices and in connection with this, theories on the control and the execution of various processes.

COMPREHENSION TEST

I. Put in the missed word.

1. ... the advances of semiconductor technology we can place the thousands of transistors in a single integrated circuit.

2.Machines ... complex instructions and use them immediately.

3.The major ... is the size of a keyboard.

4.Existing technology is used to build ... capable of storing a lot of information.

5.We may use a pocket calculator as a ... of computer, dictionary and note-pad.

6.You can store appropriate ... in the machine's memory.

7.The business calculator ... a 200-year calendar in its memory.

8.The ... will require keys for the entire alphabet.

9.Various function, memory and instruction ... must be on a keyboard.

10.You will be able to ... touch to contacts by stylus.

II.Find the answers to the following questions.

1.What is the main advantage of minicomputer revolution?

2.What kinds of calculators are already in use?

3.What operations can they perform?

4.What can you say about the existing memories?

5.Where can we use a pocket calculator?

6.What information can be stored in the machine's memory?

7.What capabilities are already available in existing pocket machines?

8.What will limit the miniaturization of vest pocket computers?

9.Why can this limitation appear?

10.What is the way out of this problem?

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Translate the text into English. Entitle the text.

TEXT 2C

Компьютеры можно разделить на специализированные и универсальные машины. Специализированные ЭВМ выполняют только определенные функции.

Они очень эффективны, но ограничены в своем применении. Универсальные компьютеры выполняют различные инструкции.

Компьютеры можно классифицировать как аналоговые и цифровые машины. Аналоговые ЭВМ быстры. Они используются для решения определенных задач. Цифровые компьютеры точнее. Они выполняют различные арифметические операции. Аналоговые ЭВМ могут использоваться в исследовании механических процессов. Цифровые ЭВМ могут использоваться для логического анализа.

Существуют также большие и средние ЭВМ и персональные компьютеры. Сейчас персональные компьютеры широко используются.

2D. COMPUTER GENERATIONS

The growing demand for instant data has resulted in the invention of the electronic computer system for processing records. In many respects it is a revolutionary system. Besides that it is a rapid one, it makes maximum use of the automation principle.

Electronic digital computers have progressed through three generations.

The first generation was composed of vacuum tube machines. They came in several models and sizes. Their most notable feature - aside from the revolution they affected in business, government, military and scientific methods - was that they were the banks of vacuum tubes they contained. These tubes generated and manipulated the electronic impulses with which the computers operated. But they also gave off a considerable amount of heat and burned out occasionally. As a result, an integral part of most early computer installations was a large air-conditioning system, plus the necessity for having a customer engineer or maintenance man readily available at all times.

The second generation - the so-called solid-state machines - eliminated vacuum tubes in favour of transistors, resistors, diodes and similar semiconductor components. Most of the computers of this generation fell into this category. They required less power, threw off considerably less heat, took up less space and were far more reliable than their predecessors. In addition, most of them were faster, had greater memory capacity and were generally easier to program than first-generation machines.

Third-generation computers are featuring still smaller internal components, faster operating speeds, increased memory capacity and new concepts in data processing.

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Most computers, it is important to note, are built as general-purpose machines and can be adapted to almost any one of the jobs.

It is the stored program that separates the electronic digital computer from all other types of counting devices. By storing instructions within the machine the computer can go about its work without manual intervention.

I. Translate the text using the dictionary.

II. Give the main idea in 2-3 sentences.

III. Make up a short plan of the text.

LISTENING COMPREHENSION. TEXT 2E

Listen to the text and find out which antonym appears in the text.

1.Machines could make operations much better, much slower and at lower cost than factory workers did.

2.The first industrial revolution freed man's hands from hard and exciting labour.

3.The invention of electronic computers made it possible to free man's brain from the leisure of measurement and computation.

4.Accurate measurement and exact computation are the bases of ancient engineering and scientific research.

I.Give the main idea of the text.

II. Render the text into Russian.

III. Retell the text.