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REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO

ENSEIGNEMENT SUPERIEUR ET UNIVERSITAIRE

INSTITUT SUPERIEUR D’ETUDES TECHNIQUES ET

COMMERCIALES

ISETC/MOANDA

ANGLAIS INFORMATIQUE I

Academic Year: 2023-2024

Name :…………………………………………………

L1 MAINTENANCE
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CONTENU DE COURS

1. Intitulé : ENGLISH FOR COMPUTER SCIENCE

2. Volume : 60 heures

3. Promotion : Première Licence

4. Domaine : SCIENCES ET TECHNOLOGIE

5. Année académique : 2023– 2024

6. Titulaire : - Professeur Ordinaire Alois MWAKA

LUSALA LONA (Ph.D.)

- Ass NGIMBI

7. Objectives : At the end of this 45-hour subject, enable

the students to help:

- Understand and use the language of computer science;

- Choose, read and use original computer scientific materials in the
course of studies, research or work;
- Learn the reading, vocabulary and study skills necessary to work
independently on specific matters.
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10. BIBLIOGRAPHIE

- Vermaat, Misty E. Microsoft Office 2013 Introductory. Cengage

Learning, p.IT3. 2014.
- Basic computer concepts
- Computer English for Everyday Use
- http://www.tutorialspoint.com/computer_fundamentals/computer
_quick_guide.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware
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Introduction

Computers are awesome. The human race has seen more advancements in
the last 50 years than in the entire 10,000 years of human history.
Technology has transformed the way we live our daily lives, how we
interact with each other, and has changed the course of our history. Today,
everyone carries smart phones which have more computational power than
supercomputers from even 20 years ago. Computing has become ubiquitous,
the \internet of things" will soon become a reality in which every device will
become interconnected and data will be collected and available even about
the smallest of minutiae.

However, computers are also dumb. Despite the most fantastical of

depictions in science fiction and hopes of Artificial Intelligence, computers
can only do what they are told to do. The fundamental art of Computer
Science is problem solving. Computers are not good at problem solving; you
are the problem solver. It is still up to you, the user, to approach a complex
problem, study it, understand it, and develop a solution to it.
Computers are only good at automating solutions once you have solved the
problem.

Technology and data analytics have changed how political campaigns are
run, how products are marketed and even delivered. Social networks can be
data mined to track and predict the spread of u epidemics. Computing and
automation will only continue to grow. The time is soon coming where
basic computational thinking and the ability to develop software will be
considered a basic skill necessary to every discipline, a requirement for many
jobs and an essential skill to arithmetic.
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OBJECTIVES

After going through this lesson you would be able to:

- familiarize yourself with characteristics of computers

- identify the basic components of a computer
- explain the importance of various units of a computer
- differentiate between system software and application software
- explain the importance of operating system

N.B.:

- The best way to learn a foreign language is to live in a

country where that language is spoken. Now, English is not
spoken in the DRC…

So, the other best way is to read extensively in that language.

This applies to the situation of English language learning in
our officially French-speaking DRC.

- In language teaching/learning, these days, the learner is

expected to work harder than the teacher.
(Guiding teacher- working students)
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History of computers

Let us take a look at the history of the computers that we know today.
The very first calculating device used was the ten fingers of a man‟s hands.
This, in fact, is why today we still count in tens and multiples of tens.

During the 17th and 18th centuries many people tried to find easy ways of
calculating. J. Napier, a Scotsman, devised a mechanical way of multiplying
and dividing, which is how the modern slide rule works.

Henry Briggs used Napier‟s ideas to produce logarithm tables which all
mathematicians use today. Calculus, another branch of mathematics, was
independently invented by both Sir Isaac Newton, an Englishman, and
Leibnitz, a German mathematician.

The first real calculating machine appeared in 1820 as the result of

several people's experiments. This type of machine, which saves a great deal
of time and reduces the possibility of making mistakes. In 1830 Charles
Babbage, an Englishman, designed a machine that was called „The Analytical
Engine‟.

This machine, which Babbage showed at the Paris Exhibition in 1855, was an
attempt to cut out the human being altogether, except for providing the
machine with the necessary facts about the problem to be solved. He never
finished this work, but many of his ideas were the basis for building today's
computers.

In 1930, the first analog computer was built by an American named

Vannevar Bush. This device was used in World War II to help aim guns.
Mark I, the name given to the first digital computer, was completed in 1944.
The men responsible for this invention were Professor Howard Aiken and
some people from IBM.

This was the first machine that could figure out long lists of mathematical
problems, all at a very fast rate. In 1946 two engineers at the University of
Pennsylvania, J. Eckert and J. Mauchly, built the first digital computer using
parts called vacuum tubes. They named their new invention ENIAC. Another
important advancement in computers came in 1947, when John von
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Newmann developed the idea of keeping instructions for the computer

inside the computer‟s memory.

The first generation of computers, which used vacuum tubes, came out in
1950. Univac I is an example of these computers which could perform
thousands of calculations per second. In 1960, the second generation of
computers was developed and these could perform work ten times faster
than their predecessors. The reason for this extra speed was the use of
transistors instead of vacuum tubes. Second-generation computers were
smaller, faster and more dependable than first generation computers.

The third-generation computers appeared on the market in 1965. These

computers could do a million calculations a second, which is 1000 times as
many as first-generation computers. Unlike second-generation computers,
these are controlled by tiny integrated circuits and are consequently smaller
and more dependable. Fourth-generation computers have now arrived, and
the integrated circuits that are being developed have been greatly reduced in
size. This is due to microminiaturization, which means that the circuits are
much smaller than before; as many as 1000 tiny circuits now fit onto a single
chip.

A chip is a square or rectangular piece of silicon, usually from 1/10 to 1/4

inch, upon which several layers of an integrated circuit are etched or
imprinted, after which the circuit is encapsulated in plastic, ceramic or metal.
Fourth-generation computers are 50 times faster than third-generation
computers and can complete approximately 1,000,000 instructions per
second.

At the rate computer technology is growing, today‟s computers might be

obsolete by 1988 and most certainly by 1990. It has been said that if
transport technology had developed as rapidly as computer technology, a
trip across the Atlantic Ocean today would take a few seconds.
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CHAPITER I. BASIC COMPUTER CONCEPTS

I.1. Definition of a Computer

A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of

instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data (input), process
the data according to specified rules, produce information (output), and
store the information for future use.

I.2. Functionalities of a computer

Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:

- takes data as input;

- stores the data/instructions in its memory and use them when
required;
- processes the data and converts it into useful information;
- generates the output;
- Controls all the above four steps.

I.3. Characteristics of Computers

The characteristics of computers that have made them so powerful and

universally useful are speed, accuracy, diligence, versatility and storage
capacity. Let us discuss them briefly.
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I.3.1. Speed

Computers work at an incredible speed. A powerful computer is capable of

performing about 3-4 million simple instructions per second.

I.3.2. Accuracy

In addition to being fast, computers are also accurate. Errors that may occur
can almost always be attributed to human error (inaccurate data, poorly
designed system or faulty instructions/programs written by the programmer).

I.3.3. Diligence

Unlike human beings, computers are highly consistent. They do not suffer
from human traits of boredom and tiredness resulting in lack of
concentration. Computers, therefore, are better than human beings in
performing voluminous and repetitive jobs.

I.3.4. Versatility

Computers are versatile machines and are capable of performing any task as
long as it can be broken down into a series of logical steps. The presence of
computers can be seen in almost every sphere – Railway/Air reservation,
Banks, Hotels, Weather forecasting and many more.

I.3.5. Storage Capacity

Today‟s computers can store large volumes of data. A piece of information

once recorded (or stored) in the computer, can never be forgotten and can
be retrieved almost instantaneously.
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I.4. Computer Organization

A computer system consists of mainly four basic units; namely input unit,
storage unit, central processing unit and output unit. Central Processing unit
further includes Arithmetic logic unit and control unit.

A computer performs five major operations or functions irrespective of its

size and make. These are:
- it accepts data or instructions as input,
- it stores data and instruction
- it processes data as per the instructions,
- it controls all operations inside a computer, and
- it gives results in the form of output.

I.4.1. Functional Units

a. Input Unit: This unit is used for entering data and programs into the
computer system by the user for processing.

- Dotted lines (– – – –) indicate flow of instruction solid lines

- (–––––) indicate flow of data

b. Storage Unit: The storage unit is used for storing data and instructions
before and after processing.
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c. Output Unit: The output unit is used for storing the result as output
produced by the computer after processing.

d. Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and

logical operations is called processing. The Central Processing Unit
(CPU) takes data and instructions from the storage unit and makes all
sorts of calculations based on the instructions given and the type of
data provided. It is then sent back to the storage unit. CPU includes
Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU)

 Arithmetic Logic Unit: All calculations and comparisons, based

on the instructions provided, are carried out within the ALU. It
performs arithmetic functions like addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division and also logical operations like greater
than, less than and equal to etc.

 Control Unit: Controlling of all operations like input,

processing and output are performed by control unit. It takes
care of step by step processing of all operations inside the
computer.
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CHAPTER II. COMPUTER COMPONENTS

Any kind of computers consists of HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.

II.1. Hardware

Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a

computer system. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or
components of a computer such as the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer
data storage, hard drive disk (HDD), system unit (graphic cards, sound cards,
memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of which are physical objects that
can be touched.

II.2. Input Devices

Input devices are pieces of hardware which allow us to enter information

into the computer. The most common are the keyboard and mouse. We can
also interact with a computer by using a light pen, a scanner, a trackball a
graphics tablet a game controller or a microphone.
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Input device Translate data from form that humans understand to one that
the computer can work with. Most common are keyboard and mouse.

II.3. Example of Input Devices

II.3.1. Keyboard

The keyboard is very much like a standard typewriter keyboard with a few
additional keys. The basic QWERTY layout of characters is maintained to
make it easy to use the system. The additional keys are included to perform
certain special functions. These are known as function keys that vary in
number from keyboard to keyboard.

Note: The most common use keyboard is the QWERTY keyboard. Generally
standard Keyboard has 104 keys.
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II.3.2. Mouse

A device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display

screen. A mouse is a small object you can roll along a hard and flat surface.
Its name is derived from its shape, which looks a bit like a mouse. As you
move the mouse, the pointer on the display screen moves in the same
direction.

II.3.3. Trackball

A trackball is an input device used to enter motion data into computers or

other electronic devices. It serves the same purpose as a mouse, but is
designed with a moveable ball on the top, which can be rolled in any
direction.
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II.3.4. Touchpad

A touch pad is a device for pointing (controlling input positioning) on a

computer display screen. It is an alternative to the mouse. Originally
incorporated in laptop computers, touch pads are also being made for use
with desktop computers. A touch pad works by sensing the user‟s finger
movement and downward pressure.

II.3.5. Touch Screen

It allows the user to operate/make selections by simply touching the display

screen. A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a finger or stylus.
Widely used on ATM machines, retail point-of-sale terminals, car navigation
systems, medical monitors, industrial control panels and even Touch vote
screen that we used during elections in DRC.

II.3.6. Light Pen

Light pen is an input device that utilizes a light-sensitive detector to select

objects on a display screen.

II.4. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions and

processes. Regarding computing power, the CPU is the most important
element of a computer system.
The CPU is comprised of three main parts:

 Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and logical

operations. Arithmetic calculations like as addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. Logical operation like compare numbers,
letters, or special characters.

 Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.

1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.

2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next
instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in
memory.
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4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.

5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to
complete, instruct the hardware to perform the requested
operation.

 Registers: Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage
area".

II.5. Memory

A Memory is a component which allows us to store data and use them

whenever by request. They are two kinds of memories: RAM (Random
Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory).

Computer‟s memory can be classified into two types; primary memory and
secondary memory.

II.5.1. Primary Memory

II.5.1.1. RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a memory scheme within the computer

system responsible for storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be
promptly accessed by the processor as and when needed. It is volatile in
nature, which means that data will be erased once supply to the storage
device is turned off. RAM stores data randomly and the processor accesses
these data randomly from the RAM storage. RAM is considered "random
access" because you can access any memory cell directly if you know the row
and column that intersect at that cell.

II.5.1.2. ROM

Read Only Memory (ROM) is a permanent form of storage. ROM stays

active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off. ROM
devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified.
II.5.2. Secondary Memory

Stores data and programs permanently: it‟s retained after the power is
turned off.
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II.5.2.1. Hard drive (HD)

A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard drive," or "hard
disk drive," that store and provides relatively quick access to large amounts
of data on an electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces.

II.5.2.2. Optical Disk

An optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light as part of the
process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs. Some drives can
only read from discs, but recent drives are commonly both readers and
recorders, also called burners or writers. Compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray
discs are common types of optical media which can be read and recorded by
such drives. Optical drive is the generic name; drives are usually described as
"CD" "DVD", or "Bluray", followed by "drive", "writer", etc. There are three
main types of optical media: CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc. CDs can store up to
700 megabytes (MB) of data and DVDs can store up to 8.4 GB of data. Blu-
ray discs, which are the newest type of optical media, can store up to 50 GB
of data. This storage capacity is a clear advantage over the floppy disk
storage media (a magnetic media), which only has a capacity of 1.44 MB.

II.5.3. Storage Devices

II.5.3.1. Flash Disk

A storage module made of flash memory chips. A Flash disks have no

mechanical platters or access arms, but the term "disk" is used because the
data are accessed as if they were on a hard drive. The disk storage structure
is emulated.
II.5.3.2. Portable external hard drive
External hard drives are connected to the USB or FireWire port of the
computer. They can be as small as a wallet but can have as much capacity as
internal drives; they are typically used for backup or as secondary storage.

II.5.3.3. Hard disk

Hard disk drives are an internal, higher capacity drive which also stores the
operating system which runs when you power on the computer.
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II.5.3.4. Comparison between Main memory (RAM) and Secondary

Memory (Hard disk)

RAM Hard Disk (Hard Drive)

Memory Storage
Smaller amount (typically 500 MB- 6GB) Much larger amount
(typically 80 GB to 1000 GB)
Temporary storage of files and programs Permanent storage of files and programs
A little like your real desktop – has only Like a file cabinet- has long-term storage
your current work on it (when could be cof work (it‟s safe from spills!)
ruined by a spill of Coke or coffee!)
Contents disappear when you turn off Contents remain when you turn off the
power to the computer and when the power to the computer (they don‟t
computer crashes disappear unless you purposely delete
them). and when the computer crashes
Consists of chips (microprocessors) Consists of hard disks (platters)
When you want to use a program a Holds the original copy of the‟ program
temporary copy is put into RAM and permanently
that‟s the copy you use

II.6. Output devices

An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to

communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information
processing system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically
generated information into human-readable form.
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II.6.1. monitor

The monitor (the screen) is how the computer sends information back to
you. The computer screen is used for outputting information in an
understandable format. Speakers are also Output Devices.

II.6.2. printer

A printer is also an output device. There are many different types of printers.
In large organizations laser printers are most commonly used due to the fact
that they can print very fast and give a very high quality output. A plotter is
an output device similar to a printer, but normally allows you to print larger
images.

II.6.3. Example of Output Devices

II.7. Software

The software is the instructions that make the computer work. Software is
held either on your computers hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD or on a diskette
(floppy disk) and is loaded (i.e. copied) from the disk into the computers.
II.7.1. Software Types
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II.7.1.1. System software

System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the

individual hardware components of a computer system so that other
software and the users of the system see it as a functional unit without
having to be concerned with the low-level details such as transferring data
from memory to disk, or rendering text onto a display. Generally, system
software consists of an operating system and some fundamental utilities such
as disk formatters, file managers, display managers, text editors, user
authentication (login) and management tools, and networking and device
control software.

II.7.1.2. Application software

Application software is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just

running the computer system. Application software may consist of a single
program, such as an image viewer; a small collection of programs (often
called a software package) that work closely together to accomplish a task,
such as a spreadsheet or text processing system; a larger collection (often
called a software suite) of related but independent programs and packages
that have a common user interface or shared data format, such as Microsoft
Office, which consists of closely integrated word processor, spreadsheet,
database, etc.; or a software system, such as a database management system,
which is a collection of fundamental programs that may provide some
service to a variety of other independent applications.

II.7.1.3. Comparison Application Software and System Software

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System Software Application Software

Computer software, or just Application software, also
software is a general term known as an application
primarily used for digitally or an “app”, is computer
stored data such as software designed to help
computer programs and the user to perform specific
other kinds of information tasks.
read and written by
computers. App comes
under computer software
thought it has a wide
scope now.
Examples 1) Microsoft Windows 1) Opera (Web
2) Linux Browser)
3) Unix 2) Microsoft Word
4) Mac OSX (Word Processing)
5) DOS 3) Microsoft Excel
(Spreadsheet
software)
4) MysQL(Data
Software)
5) Microsoft
PowerPoint
(Presentation
Software)
6) Adobe Photoshop
(Graphics Software)
Interaction Generally, users do not Users always interact with
interact with system application software while
software as it works in the doing different activities
background.
Dependency System software can run Application software
independently of the cannot run without the
application software presence of the sys tem
software

Operating systems software

A set of programs that control the hardware and software of a computer

system. Typical functions include handling input/output operations, running
progams and organizing files on disks. The operating system allows you to
use the advanced features of a modern computer without having to learn all
the details of how the hardware works.
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II.8. How Computer Memory Is Measured

 Bit
All computers work on a binary numbering system, i.e. they
process data in one's or zero's. This 1 or 0 level of storage is called a bit.
 Byte
- A byte consists of eight bits.
 Kilobyte
- A kilobyte (KB) consists of 1024 bytes.
 Megabyte
- A megabyte (MB) consists of 1024 kilobytes.
 Gigabyte
- A gigabyte (GB) consists of 1024 megabytes.

II.9. Types of computers

II.9.1. Mini and Mainframe Computers

Very powerful, used by large organisations such as banks to control the
entire business operation. Very expensive!

II.9.2. Desktop PC
These are computers most used in offices, at home because they are not
portable.

II.9.3. Personal Computers

Cheap and easy to use. Often used as stand-alone computers or in a

network. May be connected to large mainframe computers within big
companies.
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II.10. Uses of Computer

II.10.1. Computers in Daily Life

Computers play important roles in our world and these are some:

 Accounts
 Games
 Educational
 On-line banking
 Smart ID cards
 Supermarkets
 Working from home (Tele-working)
 Internet

II.10.2. Value of Backup

The most important thing that you store on your computer is information.
Often the contents of a hard disk can represent years of work. If the hard
disk stops working one day you could lose all those years of work. For this
reason it is VITAL that you take regular backups of the information that is
stored on the computer.

Organize your computer for more efficient backups by using passwords,

understand the Importance of shutting down your computer properly and
use a UPS (Un-interruptible Power Supply).

II.11. Likes & Dislikes of Computer

II.11.1. Things computer like

 Good ventilation
 Clean environment

II.11.2. Things computer don‟t like

 Dust
 Drinking and eating over the keyboard
 Heat, Cold or Moisture
 Don‟t place objects on top of monitors.
 Don‟t place floppy disks near monitors.
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II.12.Computer Virus

What are computer viruses?

Viruses are small programs that hide themselves on your disks (both diskettes
and your hard disk). Some viruses can destroy the contents of hard disks.

II.13.How do viruses infect PCs?

Viruses hide on a disk and when you access the disk (either a diskette or
another hard disk over a network) the virus program will start and infect
your computer. The worst thing about a computer virus is that they can
spread from one computer to another, either via use of infected floppy disk,
or over a computer network, including the Internet.

II.14. How to prevent virus damage

The only thing is to use an antivirus. There are a number of third party
antivirus products available. Most of these are better than the rather
rudimentary products available within DOS and Windows, but of course you
do have to pay for them. The main thing about your virus checker is that it
should be kept up to date. Many companies supply updated disks on a
regular basis or allow you to receive updates through an electronic, on-line
bulletin board.

Bulletin board: A system that enables its users, usually members of a

particular interest group, to share information and programs.
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II.15. Exercise
A. Match the captions (1-4) with the pictures (a-d)

1. In education, computers can make all the difference……

2. Using a cashpoint, or ATM……
3. The Internet in your pocket……
4. Controlling air traffic…….

B. Match these words from the text (1-9) with the correct meaning (a-i).

1. Software a. The brain of the computer

2. Peripherals b. Physical parts that make up a computer
3. Main memory system
4. Hard drive (also known a s hard disc) c. Programs which can be used on a
5. Hardware particular computer system
6. Input d. The information on which is presented to
7. Ports the computer
8. Output e. Results produced by a computer
9. Centrcal processing unit (CPU) f. Input devices attached to the CPU
g. Sections that hold programs and data
while they are executed or processed
h. Magnetic d e vice used to store
information
i. Sockets into which an external device
may be connected
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II.16. What is inside a PC system

Processing

The nerve centre of a PC is the processor, also called the‟ CPU, or central
processing unit this I,s built into a single chip which executes program
instructions and coordinates the activities that take place within the
computer system. the chip itself is a small piece of silicon with a complex
electrical circuit called an integrated circuit.

The processor consists of three main parts:

- The control unit examines the‟ instructions in the user‟s program,

interprets each instruction and causes the‟ circuits and the rest of
the components-monitor, disk drives, etc. to execute the functions
specified.
- The Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) perform mathematical calculations
(+,-,*, /) and logical operations (AND, OR, not).
- The registers are high-speed units of memory used to store and
control data. One of the registers (the program counter, or PC)
keeps track of the next instruction to be performed in the main
memory. The other (the Instruction register or IR) holds the
instruction that is being executed.

The power and performance of a computer is partly determined by the

speed of its processor. A system clock sends out signal at fixed intervals to
measure and synchronize the flow of data. Clock speed is measured in
gigahertz (GHz). For example, a CPU running at 4GHz (four thousand
million hertz, or cycle per second) will enable your PC handle the most
demanding applications.

RAM and ROM

The programs and data which pass through the processor must be loaded
into the main memory in order to be processed. Therefore, when the user
runs a program, the CPU looks for it on the hard disk and transfers a copy
into the RAM chips. RAM is (random access memory) is volatile that is, its
information is lost when the computer is turned off. However, ROM (read
only memory) is non-volatile, containing instructions and routines for the
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basic operations of the CPU. The BIOS (basic input/output system) uses
ROM to control communication with peripherals.

RAM capacity can be expanded by adding extra chips, usually contained in

small circuit board called dual in-line memory modules(DIMMs).

Buses and cards

The main circuit board inside your system is called the mother board and
contains the processor, the memory chips, expansions slots, and controllers
for peripherals, connected by buses-electrical channels which allow devices
inside the computer to communicate with each other, for example, the
front side bus carries all data that passes from the CFPU to other devices.

The size of a bus, is called bus width, determines how much data can be
transmitted. It can be compared to the number of lanes on motorways-the
larger the width, the more data can travel along the bus. For example, 64-bit
bus can transmit 64 bits of data. Expansion slot allow users to install
expansion cards, adding features likes sound memory and network
capabilities.

A. Read the text above and answer these questions

1. What are the main parts of the CPU?
2. What does ALU stand for? What does it do?
3. What is the function of the system clock?
4. What type of memory is temporary?
5. What type of memory is permanent and includes instructions needed
by the CPU?
6. How can the RAM be increased?
7. What is a bus?
8. What is the benefit of having expansion slots?
B. Match the unit of memory(1-6) to their abbreviations (a-f)

1. Binary digit a. Kb or k
2. Byte b. MB
3. Kilobyte c. Bit, b
4. Megabyte d. B
5. Gigabyte e. TB
6. terabyte f. GB
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II.17. Examination skills I

Reading Hackers and Net names writing picture description speaking

Passwords and codes.

My name is Jack Martin and I‟m crazy about computers. I'm always in front
of the monitor. My little sister Judy, is stupid. She has computer classes at
school, but she‟s not interested. Daddy is different. He has a laptop and it is
always in his car. It is a smart computer, but it has no Internet access. Mum
always gets angry when I sit in my room on my PC all day. But the Internet
and the games are so much fun! Frank, my brother, always brings some
strategy game home. Of course Mum has a computer in her office too! Well,
life is hard for a teenager.

II.17.1. Dialogues

1. Jack - Judy. - Hi Jack! Are you going back to school? It is Monday today.
Have you got a computer class in the afternoon? - Hi Judy! Yes, but I'm not
going today because Peter has a new computer game and he's free now. -
Can I go with you? What is the game like? - No, you cannot. I don't know
what the game is like. Anyway we are installing his modem. It is not very
exciting for a girl! - Install, modem! Why are you using words I don't
understand?
2. Judy – Mother. - Jack, Judy! Dinner is ready. Where is Jack? Is he sitting in
front of his PC again? Isn't he hungry? - He is with his friend, Peter. They are
installing a modem. - Judy? Are you turning into a computer freak too? - But
Mum, he is only helping Peter. - Yes, and he is never at home. His room is
full of instruction books, spare parts, cables. And of course he has no time to
repair my keyboard, clean my mouse or buy a new cartridge for the printer.
- Mummy, don't be angry! Boys will be boys!
3. Mother – big son. - Hello Frank! Back from school? So early? - Yes, I have
some homework to do. Is Jack on the computer? I need the Internet tonight.
The network in school is very slow and there is some freeware I want to
download. - Good timing! Jack is with his friend. But Frank, you know that
the printer doesn't work. Perhaps it's the cartridge. - I'm sure the cartridge is
OK. Perhaps it is out of paper, or it isn't plugged in!
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II.17.2. Comprehension check

1. Decide whether the following sentences are true or false.

a. There are two children in the family.

b. Judy has a computer class this afternoon.
c. Jack is going to visit his friend.
d. Peter has no Internet access at home.
e. Jack is interested in hardware.
f. The printer doesn‟t work because the cartridge is old.
g. Jack is not having dinner at home tonight.
h. Frank is going back to school to download some freeware.

II.17.3. Technical Vocabulary

1. Answer with one technical word from the reading passage:
a. a person who is always on his/her computer
b. computers linked together
c. a book which gives help to the user
d. a small container with ink inside
e. software which is free to download
f. to move information to a computer from the Internet
g. a small computer which can be moved easily
h. to connect equipment to the electricity supply

II.17.4. Grammar
1. Put in the different forms of to be. Choose from is, are, am.
a. You ............. always hungry.
b. Mother ............. angry because Jack is not at home.
c. Judy and Frank ............. in the kitchen because it ............... dinner time.
d. What time ............. it?
e. We ............. in the computer class in front of the monitor.
f. The network in the school ............. very slow.
g. There ............. no printer in my office.
h. I ............. in my car because I ............. going to work.

2. Put in the correct forms of the verbs in brackets. Use Present Continuous.

Q: The teacher .......... (talk) about spreadsheet software.

A: The teacher is talking about spreadsheet software.
a. Father ..................................................... (work) on his laptop.
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b. Jack ...................................................... (repair) the printer.

c. Frank and Judy ......................................(access) the Internet in the room.
d. Mother ............................................................ (plug in) the printer.
e. Jack and peter ..................................................... (play) computer games.
f. The Technician ................................................ (install) my PC.
g. The boys ............................................................. (read) the instruction
book.
h. You cannot access the Internet now. Mother ....................... (use) the
phone.

3. Put in the missing personal pronoun. Choose from: your his her its our
their
a. Father has ................ laptop in the car.
b. Jack is helping ................. friend after school.
c. Judy is in ................. room with some friends.
d. We have ................ PC in the sitting room.
e. Computer freaks always have ................ PC with them.
f. I never have ................ lunch at home.
g. Peter is helping ................ father with the instruction book.
h. You are never angry with ................. teenage children.

4. Put in have or be in the correct form.

Q: The laptop ..... in the car.

A: The laptop is in the car.
a. Jack ................ a computer in his room.
b. Mother ................ in her office every weekday.
c. The students ................ computer classes on Mondays.
d. Peter ................ no Internet access at home.
e. The children ............... in front of the monitor because there ..................
an exciting program online.
f. The school ................ no CDs with games.
g. Now we ................ a new cartridge but the paper ................ out.

5. Make questions to the following sentences. Start them with the word in the exercise

Q: Mother is calling the children to table. Who....?

A: Who is calling the children to table?

a. Jack is on the computer all day. Who .............................................................?

b. Judy is cleaning the mouse for her mother. What .........................................?
c. There are a lot of cables in the room. Where ................................................?
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d. The network in the school is slow. What ............................................... like?

e. He is unplugging the printer because the cartridge is old. Why ....................
.........................................................................................................................?
f. He is always busy. Why .................................................................................?
g. The boys are downloading some freeware in the class. Who .........................
..........................................................................................................................?
h. She is not learning the technical words. What ..............................................?

6. Give short answers to the following questions:

Q: Can you print this document at home?

A: Yes, I can.
a. Can you download music from home?
b. Can the students in your class design a Web page?
c. Who can buy a laptop?
d. Who can help you if you have some hardware problem?
e. Can you read an instruction book in English?
f. Can your mother use a computer?

7. Fill in the missing preposition by choosing one from the list. in of with
into at t

a. Don‟t be angry ................. Judy, she is a silly little girl.

b. He is turning ................. a computer freak.
c. Are you going ................. school? Can I come ................. you?
d. First plug the printer ................., then check the paper!
e. The instruction book is full ................. pictures.
f. Jack is not coming home. He is ................. a friend.
g. There is no printer ................. home. Can I print here?
h. Father is ................. the car reading his emails.

8. Make negative commands in the following situations.

Q: He is sitting at the table with dirty hands.

A: Don‟t sit at the table with dirty hands!

a. He is repairing the printer when it is plugged in.

b. They are using the printer when the cartridge is empty.
c. He is playing a computer game when he has homework to do.
d. She is angry with a child who is only 5 years old.
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e. He is installing the modem when there is no telephone line in the house.

f. The technician is cleaning the mouse, but it is new.
g. He is accessing the Internet when he is driving his car.
h. They are downloading software that is not free.

II.18. Examination skills II

Reading Word-processing and Design software Writing Describing a room

Floor plan CV Speaking Applying for a job
Mother is a secretary. She works for a big firm in an office. It is a nice room
with big windows and modern furniture. There is a desk at one of the
windows with a PC and a telephone on it. There is carpet on the floor, and
a picture on the wall above the fax machine. There is some printing paper in
a cupboard under the printer. There is also a photocopier in her room. The
bookshelves and the filing cabinets are on the left, and Mr. Johnson's room
is organizes new courses for them, plans the timetable and the exams.
Usually he is extremely busy, so he needs an assistant to type, edit, format
and print different documents. Mother uses the word processing software
most of the time. Before she prints a document, she checks it for spelling
mistakes and formats it.

II.18.1. Dialogues

1. Mother and Mr. Johnson in the office. - Julie, I prepared the program for
the next course. Will you please, type it? - Of course. Do you want it in a
table format? - Yes, that is a good idea. Use landscape mode and it will need
five columns and ten rows. - OK. As I can see it, I don't need to type the
whole document. I can copy some sections from other documents, and paste
them here. I just need to change the font size and delete the unnecessary
parts. - Yes, that's right. - How many copies do you need? - Just one for me
first to check, then I must complete and modify it. - All right, it's ready. Here
you are. - Thanks a lot.

2. Mother and the supervisor on the phone. - Hello, Jack Peterson. - Hello,
this is Julie speaking. I'm afraid, I need some help. The printer doesn't work.
- Is it on? - Yes. The cartridge is new. No paper jam. I don't know what the
problem is. Could you repair it please? It is urgent. - Yes. So, the problem is
with the network. I will check it in a moment. And also, there is a piece of
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paper stuck in the printer. I can remove it in no time. There you are. It
works again. - Thank you very much. - You are welcome.

3. Mother and her colleague in the canteen. - Hello, George. How are you?
- Fine thanks. Do you want a cup of coffee? - No, thank you, I prefer tea.
How was your morning? - Well, I have a lot of work to do. I must finish the
annual report for the firm and send it to the General Manager. I have to
convert the statistical tables into graphs with the spreadsheet software.
Unfortunately, my computer often freezes, and I have to restart it. - Oh, yes.
By the way, do you know about the new training? The program is ready. -
What kind of training is that? - It is for developing presentation skills with
MS Power Point. - OK, can you e-mail the schedule to me?

II.18.2. Comprehension check

1. Decide whether the following sentences are true or false.
a. The Mother works for the personnel department at a company.
b. She doesn't work in an up-to-date office.
c. She can't edit the documents.
d. She checks a document for spelling mistakes and style after printing it.
e. Mr. Johnson is her boss.
f. To make a table you always need it to be in landscape mode.
g. When she changes the font size, the letters become smaller or bigger.
h. She can't print the documents, because there is a paper jam in the printer.
i. The supervisor replaced the cartridge.
j. There is a problem with George's computer.

II.18.3. General Vocabulary

1. Answer with one word.
a. Synonym of ‟timetable‟ -................................................................................
b. To take something away from a place or machine - ......................................
c. People take part in it to learn new things - ....................................................
d. Synonym of ‟control‟ - ....................................................................................
e. When there are too many pieces of paper at the same time
f. To make something complete - .................................................
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2. Put in the missing word from the list. format convert type insert edit
delete table portrait mode modify spreadsheet

a. The easiest way of entering text into a computer is

to................................it.
b. You ..................................... a document when you decide on its final
layout.
c. When you use different styles, and change the font size and color,
you................................ a document.
d. You can make charts and graphs easily from
statistical..................................
e. You use ................................. when the short edge of the paper is
horizontal.
f. If you don't want to use some parts of a text, you must ........................
them.
g. When you................................... a document you change something in it.
h. You can easily...............................................tables into graphs with Excel.
i. .................................................has columns and rows of boxes called cells.
j. You can also ..................... pictures and photos into the document with
word processor.

II.18.4. Grammar
1. Will and its different uses Make a polite command in the following
situations.
Q: The program is not running. (Ctrl+Alt+Del)
A: Will you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.
a. The printer is out of paper. (fetch)
...................................................................
b. Our Internet bill is too high! (turn off)
............................................................
c. My keyboard is broken. (repair)
......................................................................
d. The printed copy is not dark enough. (replace cartridge)
...............................
e. My PC is too slow. (update capacity)
..............................................................
f. My monitor is broken again. (install screen
saver).........................................
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g. The headphones don't work. (buy a new

pair)...............................................
h. Downloading is very slow. (subscribe to broadband service)
.........................
i. Your database test paper is very bad. (practice at
home)................................

2. Future - promise. Make a promise in the following situations.

Q: Your mouse doesn't work.

A: OK, I will clean it.
a. You are using too much paper. All right, (print in the office)
b. I cannot make a telephone call in the evening. OK, (access Internet late at
night)
c. I can never find my floppy disks. Next time I (not tidy up your desk)
d. I cannot remember where I saved my document. In the future I (create
folder)
e. You are buying the second phone card this month. OK, (not use for
private conversations)
f. You have written your e-banking code number on a piece of paper and
left it on your desk.
g. In your last email you promised an attachment and didn't send it.
h. A month ago I lent you a DVD and I need it now.
i. You know that your brother needs your help with his database
management exam.

3. Grammar

1. Prepositions. Complete the sentences with the prepositions in the box. in

on about with to among into for out of by
a. You can select options on the computer ......... clicking on them with the
mouse.
b. Is it far ........ your home .......... the nearest computer shop?
c. Carla works .............. Microsoft.
d. You can't select this text ................ the mouse.
e. Could I speak ............... the Helpdesk Manager .................. a moment?
f. Select one ................. these options ................ the computer.
g. Can you find any educational CDs ................... this shop?
h. If you press SHIFT ................... F12, you will save the document.
i. He is thinking ..................... buying a new notebook.
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j. She came ...................... the computer room, and went ..................... the
lab.

II.18.5. Picture Description

1. Look at the picture and fill in the missing prepositions. Around, behind, in,
near, on, under.

a. There is a keyboard ....... the desk.

b. There are some cables ....... the monitor.
c. The PC is ....... the Mother.
d. The cupboard is ....... Mr. Johnson.
e. Mother is sitting ....... the chair.
f. The lamp is ....... the monitor.
g. The mouse is ....... Mother‟s hand.

2. Put some or any into the gaps.

a. They didn't make .......... mistakes.

b. I'll pay, I have ......... money.
c. Don't buy ......... diskettes. We don't need any.
d. Can I have .......... books on programming, please?
e. When we were in London, we visited .......... interesting places.
f. Sorry, we are late. We had ............ problems with the PC.
g. Do you know ............ good computer shops in Budapest?
h. Are there ........... e-mails for me this morning?
i. I can do this work alone. I don't need ........... help.
3. Write down the following expressions in full.

a. WAN.......................................................................................................................
b. PC.......................................................................................................................
c. LAN.......................................................................................................................
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d. ROM.......................................................................................................................
e. RAM .......................................................................................................................
f. CD .......................................................................................................................
g. HDD .......................................................................................................................

h. ISP.......................................................................................................................

i. USB.......................................................................................................................

4. Complete the sentences with some, any, no or a.

I still don't have any information on IT classes for this academic year.
a. He has ............. lovely pictures on his computer.
b. Do you want to try ................ new optical mouse?
c. There are ..................... formatted floppy disks in this cupboard.
d. Is there.................... paper jammed in the photocopier?
e. Would you like to add ................... new features to your computer?
f. Excuse me, is there ..................... computer shop near here?
g. "................ news is always good news."

5. Match the following halves of conditions sentences

1. If you don‟t press „save regularly

a. unless you give them proper names
2. If Joe were a good programmer
b. you can lose your data
3. You will forget the content of your files
c. if too many programs are open at the
4. If you choose an easy password same time

5. Your computer can freeze d. he could apply for that job

6. You can‟t access that website e. a good guesser c an access your

computer
7. You would get that position
f. if you wrote a good CV.

g. without password
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6. Some vocabularies and computer expressions

Tools : outils
Toolbox: boite d‟outils
Compose: composer
Help: aide
Send: envoyer
To re - send : renvoyer un message
Sent : envoyé (Yahoo has sent your message)
New : nouveau
Reply to Sender : répondre à l‟expéditeur
Reply to all : répondre à tous
Forward: transférer
Forwarded: transféré
To : à
From: de
CC (carbon copy): CC
Bcc(blindcarbon copy) : cci
Subject: sujet
Spam : spam, pourriel
File: fichier
Attachment: fichier joint
Start : démarrer, commencer
Quit: quitter, abandonner
Cancel : annuler
Edit : éditer
View: afficher
To reply to a message : répondre à un message
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To open a message : ouvrir un message

To delete a message : supprimer un message
3.11. Internet vocabulary
Back : retour
Bookmark : marque – pages
Broadband : connexion hand débit
Browse : naviguer
Browser : navigateur
Chatroom : forum
Click : cliquer
To double – click : double cliquer
Download : télécharger
Downloaded : téléchargé (The message is forwarded)
FAQS (frequently asked questions) : FAQ
Favourite: favoris
Home : accueil
Home page : page d‟accueil
Icon : icône
Internet service provider (ISP) : fournisseur d‟accès
Link : lien
To log off : se déconnecter
To log on : se connecter
On line : en ligne
Password: mot de passe
To search : faire une recherche
Search engin : moteur de recherche
To page up : paginer au dessus
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To page down: paginer en bas

To line up : mettre la ligne au dessus
To line down : mettre la ligne en dessous
To scroll up : defiler en haut
To scroll down: defiler en bas
WWW : The World Wide Web: le web

7. Other abbreviations

CTRL : control
Internet : International network
PC : Personal computer
CGA : Colour Graphic Adaptator
VGA : Video Graphic Adaptor
SVGA : Super video Graphic Adaptator
XT : Extra Technology
AT : Advanced Technology
SW : Short waves
MW : Medium waves
DEC : Digital Equipment Corp
IBM : International Business Machine
CPU : Central Processing Unit
ROM : Read Only Memory
RAM : Random Access memory
EIA : Electronic Industries Association
ASCII : American Standard code for Information
Interchange
COBOL : Common Business Oriented Language
 P a g e | 41

FORTAN : Formula Translator

MODEM : Modulation Demodulator
KBD : Keyboard Device
K.O : Kilo octet / Knocking out (in boxing)
BCD : Binary Coded Decimal
BASIC : Beginner‟s all – purpose Symbolic Instruction
Code.
8. SOME COMPUTER TERMS

Bit: it comes from the term binary digit. It is the basic unit of information in
a digital computing system. It may be either digit 0 or 1.

CPU: it is section of a digital computer that manipulates data according to a

set of stored instructions.

Database: it is a collection of information stored in a computer. The data are

recorded on a magnetic disk unit or other direct access storage device.

Hardware: it refers to the physical parts, such as the electronic, magnetic,

and mechanical devices that make up a computer system.

Interface: it is any input or output device. An interface serves as a

communication link between a computer and its human operator or a
machine controlled by the computer.

Logic circuit: it is an electronic circuit that enables a digital computer to

compare, select and perform other logic operations.

Microprocessor: it is a miniature electronic device consisting of thousands of

transistors and related circuits on silicon chip. The device is often called “a
computer on a chip” because it has all the elements of a CPU.

Network: it is a system consisting of two or more computers connected by

high – speed communication lines.

Programme: it is a set of instruction to be carried out by a computer to solve

a problem.
 P a g e | 42

Simulation: it is a representation or imitation of a particular situation

operation or system by a computer. The purpose is to occur under various
conditions.

Software: it refers to the programs used by a computer to perform a desired

task.

Terminal: it is any device connected to a computer for remote input or

output of data.