It is considered that computers have many remarkable powers. However most computers, whether large or small, have three basic capabilities.
First, computers have circuits for performing arithmetic operations, such as: addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and exponentiation.
Second, computers have a means of communicating with the user. After all, if we couldn't feed information in and get results ' back, these machines wouldn't be of much use. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are to use terminals, diskettes, disks and magnetic tapes. The computer's input device (a disk drive or tape drive) reads the information into the computer. For outputting information two common devices used are: a printer, printing the new information on paper, and a cathode-ray-tube display, which shows the results on a TV'Uke screen.
Third, computers have circuits which can make decisions. The kinds of decisions which computer circuits can make are not of the type: "Who would win the war between two countries?" or "Who is the richest person in the wojid?" Unfortunately, the computer can only decide three things, namely: Is one number less than another? Are two numbers equal? and, Is one number greater than another?
A computer can solve a series of problems and make thousands of logical decisions without becoming tired. It can find the solution to a problem in a fraction of the time it takes a human being to do the job.
A computer can replace people in dull, routine tasks, but it works according to the instructions given to it. There are times when a computer seems to operate like a mechanical 'brain', but its achievements are limited by the minds of human beings. A computer cannot do anything unless a person tells it what to do and gives it the necessary information; but because electric pulses can move at the speed of light, a computer can carry out great numbers of arithmetic-logical operations almost instan* taneously. A person can do the same, but in many cases that person would be dead long before the job was finished.
- Topic 1. Computer literacy
- Topic 2. Development of electronics
- Microelectronics and microminiaturization
- Topic 3. What is a computer?
- It is considered that computers have many remarkable powers. However most computers, whether large or small, have three basic capabilities.
- Text 4. Application of computers
- Topic 6. Personal computers
- Topic 8. Programming languages
- The Internet.
- Travelling
- Britain's Universities
- Hardware and Software Of the pc.
- Internet related software – different kinf of browsers, programs that work through the net.
- Input and Output devices.
- Memory storage devices.
- Programming languages.
- Storage units
- Central processing unit
- Text 1. Input-output environment
- Text 4. Application of computers
- Моя будущая профессия:
- My family
- I want to become a student. I'd like to learn foreign languages. I think 1 take after my father. I'm tall, fair-haired and even-tempered. I always try to be in a good mood.
- Our University.