UNIT 11

Program design and computer languages

A Match the words (1-5) with the definitions (a-e)
1. flowchart a. Program instructions written in a
particular computer language
2. source code
b. The techniques of detecting and
3. compiler correcting errors (or bugs) which may
4. machine code occur in programs
5. debugging c. A diagram representing the successive
logical steps of the program
d. A special program which converts the
source program into machine code - the
only language understood by the
processor
e. The basic instructions understood by
computers; it consists of 1s and 0s (binary
code)
3
6

2
4
5
 Computer languages
Unfortunately for us, computers can't understand spoken English or any other natural
language. The only language they can understand directly is machine code, which consists of 1s
and 0s (binary code).
Machine code is too difficult to write. For this reason, we use symbolic languages to
communicate instructions to the computer. For example, assembly languages use abbreviations
such as ADD, SUB, MPY to represent instructions. The program is then translated into machine
code by a piece of software called an assembler. Machine code and assembly languages are
called low-level languages because they are closer to the hardware. They are quite complex and
restricted to particular machines. To make the programs easier to write, and to overcome the
problem of intercommunication between different types of computer, software developers
designed high-level languages, which are closer to the English language. Here are some
examples:
■FORTRAN was developed by IBM in 1954 and is still used for scientific and engineering
applications.
■COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) was developed in 1959 and is mainly used for
business applications.
■BASIC was developed in the 1960s and was widely used in microcomputer programming
because it was easy to learn. Visual BASIC is a modern version of the old BASIC language, used
to build graphical elements such as buttons and windows in Windows programs.
■PASCAL was created in 1971. It is used in universities to teach the fundamentals of
programming.
Computer languages
■С was developed in the 1980s at AT&T. It is used to write system software, graphics and
commercial applications. C++ is a version of С which incorporates object-oriented
programming: the programmer concentrates on particular things (a piece of text, a graphic or a
table, etc.) and gives each object functions which can be altered without changing the entire
program. For example, to add a new graphics format, the programmer needs to rework just the
graphics object. This makes programs easier to modify.
■ Java was designed by Sun in 1995 to run on the Web. Java applets provide animation and
interactive features on web pages. Programs written in high-level languages must be translated
into machine code by a compiler or an interpreter. A compiler translates the source code into
object code - that is, it converts the entire program into machine code in one go. On the other
hand, an interpreter translates the source code line by line as the program is running.
It is important not to confuse programming languages with markup languages, used to create
web documents. Markup languages use instructions, known as markup tags, to format and link
text files. Some examples include:
■ HTML, which allows us to describe how information will be displayed on web pages.
■ XML, which stands for Extensible Markup Language. While HTML uses pre-defined tags, XML
enables us to define our own tags; it is not limited by a fixed set of tags.
■ VoiceXML, which makes Web content accessible via voice and phone. VoiceXML is used to
create voice applications that run on the phone, whereas HTML is used to create visual
applications (for example, web pages).
В Read the text again and answer these questions.

1. Do computers understand human languages? Why? / Why not?

2. What is the function of an assembler?
3. Why did software developers design high-level languages?
4. Which language is used to teach programming techniques?
5. What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
6. Why are HTML and VoiceXML called markup languages?
С Complete these sentences with a computer language.

1. __________
XML allows us to create our own tags to describe our data
better. We aren't constrained by a pre-defined set of tags the way we
are with HTML.
2. IBM developed _____________
FORTRAN in the 1950s. It was the first high-
levellanguage in data processing.
3. Java
___________ applets are small programs that run automatically on
web pages and let you watch animated characters, play games, etc.
4. ____________
VoiceXML is the HTML of the voice web. Instead of using a web
browser and a keyboard, you interact with a voice browser by listening
to pre-recordedaudio output and sending audio input through a
telephone.
5. This language is widely used in the business community. For example,
the statement ADD VAT to NET-PRICE could be used in a __________
COBOL
program.
Are the words in the boxes nouns, verbs or adjectives? Write n, v or adj
next to each word. Complete the sentences with words from the boxes.
n or v n n adj
Programming
program

programmer
programmable

v n n

compilation

compiler
compile

n or v v n n

bug
debugger debug

debugging
Động từ nguyên thể
} Để thể hiện mục đích:
We use symbolic languages to communicate instructions to the computer.
(= in order to communicate...)
} Sau tính từ
BASIC was widely used in the past because it was easy to learn.
Machine code is too difficult to write. (= not easy enough to write)
} Sau một số động từ (ví dụ afford, demand, plan, agree, expect, promise, appear,
hope, refuse, arrange, learn, try, decide, manage)
A lot of companies are now trying to develop voice applications for web access.
} Sau đối tượng của một số động từ nhất định (ví dụ advise, encourage, allow,
expect, tell, ask, invite, want, enable, order, warn)
HTML allows us to describe how information will be displayed on web pages.
} Sau động từ khuyết thiếu (can, could, may, might, will, would, must, should)
Unfortunately, computers can't understand spoken English.
High-level languages must be translated into machine code.
} Sau đối tượng của các động từ make, let
Programs make computers perform specific tasks.
 A Look at the HELP box and then make sentences using
these prompts.
1. not easy / write instructions in COBOL
It's not easy to write instructions in COBOL
2. expensive / set up a data-processing area
3. advisable / test the programs under different conditions
4. unusual / write a program that works correctly the first time
it's tested
5. important/use a good debugger to fix errors
6. easy/learn Visual BASIC
В Choose the correct words (a-c) to complete these sentences
1. We use high-level languages because machine code is too difficult ___________,
understand and debug.
a. read b. reading c. to read
2. I went on the course ___________ how to be a better programmer.
a learn b to learn с for to learn
3. I'm not interested in __________ that computer language.
a learn b learning с to learn
4. He refuses ________ the project with me.
a do b doing с to do
5. The engineers warned the employees not _________ the cables.
a touch b touching с to touch
6. They may not ________ to the conference.
a come b coming с to come
7. Spyware can make your PC __________ more slowly.
a perform b performing с to perform
8. This program is too slow __________ the simulation.
a do b to do с for doing
A Work in pairs. Student A reads about Visual BASIC, Student B reads
about VoiceXML. Try not to look at your partner’s text. Complete
your part of the table.
Visual BASIC VoiceXML

What does Visual BASIC / VoiceXML

stand for?

When was it developed?

What are its main features?

What is it used for?

 A Work in pairs. Student A reads about Visual BASIC, Student B reads
about VoiceXML. Try not to look at your partner’s text. Complete
your part of the table.
Student A Student B
Visual BASIC was developed by Microsoft in VoiceXML (Extensible Markup Language) was
1990. The name BASIC stands for Beginner’s created in 2000 to make web content
All-purpose Symbolic instruction Code. The accessible via the telephone. For input, it uses
adjective Visual refers to the technique used voice recognition. For output, it uses pre-
to create a graphical user interface. Instead of recorded audio content and text-to-speech.
writing a lot of instructions to describe Applications:
interface elements, you just add pre-defined • voice portals, where you can hear
objects such as buttons, icons and dialog information about sports, news, traffic, etc.
boxes. It enables programmers to create a • voice-enabled intranets (private networks)
variety of Windows applications. • voice e-commerce
• home appliances controlled by voice

Visual BASIC VoiceXML

What does Visual BASIC / VoiceXML
stand for?
When was it developed?
What are its main features?
What is it used for?
} Visual BASIC was developed by Microsoft in 1990.
The name BASIC stands for Beginner’s All-purpose
Symbolic instruction Code. The adjective Visual refers
to the technique used to create a graphical user
interface. Instead of writing a lot of instructions to
describe interface elements, you just add pre-defined
objects such as buttons, icons and dialog boxes. It
enables programmers to create a variety of Windows
applications.