Programs and Programming Languages
Computers can deal with different kinds of problems if they are given the right instructions for what to do. Instructions are first written in one of the high-level languages, e.g. FORTRAN, COBOL, ALGOL, PL/I, PASCAL or BASIC, depending on the type of problem to be solved. A program written in one of these languages is often called a source program, and it cannot be directly processed by the computer until it has been compiled, which means interpreted into machine code. Usually a single instruction written in a high-level language when transformed into machine code, results in several instructions. When a program written in one of high-level languages is designed to do a specific type of work such as calculate a company's payroll or calculate the stress factor on a roof, it is called an applications program. The program produced after the source program has been converted into machine code is referred to as an object program. This is done by a computer program called the compiler, which is unique for each computer. Consequently, a compiler needs its own compiler for the various high-level languages if it is expected to accept programs written in those languages. The compiler is a systems program, which may be written in any language, but the computer's operating system is a true systems program which controls the central processing unit (CPU), the input, the output and the secondary memory devices.
Exercise 3. Translate the following word combinations. To deal with different kinds of problems, the right instructions, to be called a source program, a single instruction, to be designed to do a specific type of work, an applications program, to convert into machine code, to be written in any language, the central processing unit, the secondary memory devices.
Exercise 4.. Write English equivalents to the following words and word combinations:
Exercise 5. Put questions to the underlined words. 1. Instructions are first written in one of the high level languages. 2. A computer needs it’s own compiler. 3. The computer’s operating system is a true system program which controls the CPU. 4. Computers can deal with different kinds of problems?
Exercise 6. Rewrite the sentences in Reported Speech. 1. He said: “I have known him for a long time.” 2. He asked me: “Do you have to work tonight?” 3. He asked: “What does the word mean?” 4. I asked him: “Be more careful.” 5. John said: “Wait five minutes for me.” 6. He said to me: “Don’t forget your promise.”
Exercise 7. A. Paraphrase the sentences using the Objective Infinitive Complex. Model: Peter took my pen. I saw it. – I saw Peter take my pen. 1. The doorbell rang. I heard it. 2. I hope that your team will win the game. 3. I know that he works at this plant. 4. I saw you. You took the money. 5. I looked out of the window. He backed the car into the garage. 6. Don’t trouble them. My mother doesn’t let it.
B. Paraphrase the sentences using the Subjective Infinitive Complex. Model: It is known that these exercises are very useful. – These exercises are known to be very useful. 1. It seems that she speaks this language perfectly. 2. They believe that he will help them. 3. They expect that he will take the first prize. 4. I know that he will take part in this competition.
Exercise 8. Answer the questions to the text in writing. 1. What can computers deal with? 2. What is called a source program? 3. Can a source program be directly processed by the computer? 4. What is an applications program? 5. What is called an object program? 6. What is a compiler? 7. What does the computer's operating system control?
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