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text 6. hardware, software, and firmware
the units that are visible in any computer are the physical components of a data processing system, or hardware. thus, the input, storage, processing and control devices are hardware. not visible is the software - the set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation that make possible the effective operation of the computer system. software programs are of two types: systems software and applications software.
systems software are the programs designed to control the operation of a computer system. they do not solve specific problems. they are written to assist people in the use of the computer system by performing tasks, such as controlling all of the operations required, to move data into and out of a computer and all of the steps in executing an application program. the person who prepares systems software is referred to as a systems programmer. systems programmers are highly trained specialists and important members of the architectural team.
applications software are the programs written to solve specific problems (applications), such as payroll, inventory control, and investment analysis. the word program usually refers to an application program, and the word programmer is usually a person who prepares applications software.
often programs, particularly systems software, are stored in an area of memory not used for applications software. these protected programs are stored in an area of memory called read-only memory (rom), which can be read from but not written on.
firmware is a term that is commonly used to describe certain programs that are stored in rom. firmware often refers to a sequence of instructions (software) that is substituted for hardware. for example, in an instance where cost is more important than performance, the computer system architect might decide not to use special electronic circuits (hardware) to multiply two numbers, but instead write instructions (software) to cause the machine to accomplish the same function by repeated use of circuits already designed to perform addition.
A lot of people think that a person who really knows a foreign language has no problems with working as an interpreter. On the other hand, there are people who believe that you have to have special skills for that job. Who is right?
I would like to express my opinion. To my mind, you will not have great difficulties with working as an interpreter if you know language well. Firstly, you have no problems with understanding both languages (your native language and foreign language). If you can understand something in one language you can translate it into another. Secondly, everyone who knows foreign language already has some kind of translation experience. All of us translate sentences and texts from one language into another while we are learning.
However, many people believe that you cannot work as an interpreter if you have no certain skills. To begin with, an interpreter has a lot of problems with translation. You have to have special skills to know how you can translate some expressions which may not be in another language. Furthermore, the speed of translation may be insufficient. You can understand all but you will not be able to translate it in the same time to another person.
I do not agree with them because a little practice makes a person who is fluent in a foreign language in an interpreter.
To sum up, we should admit there are different points of view on this question. It seems to me that a person who is good in foreign language can easily work as an interpreter.
Упражнение 1.
I am afraid he knows nothing about it.
Is there anything in the basket? — No, it’s empty.
I’ve prepared something for dinner which you’ll like very much.
I know somebody who can help you.
Is there anybody here who can speak Japanese?
There was nobody in the room. It was dark.
Упражнение 2.
Liz is shopping. She wants to buy some new clothes. She is going to a New Year party tonight, but she has got nothing to wear. She wants to buy (3 — something nice and some new shoes but she can’t find anything that she likes. She is also looking for a present. She wants to buy something special for her friend.
Упражнение 3.
1. Is there something interesting in the magazine?
2. There are some books on the table.
3. Nothing in the house is clean and good.
4. There is nobody here.
5. She will tell us something about her work.
6. She doesn’t want any new dress.
7. Is he going somewhere today?
9. He never goes by train, he goes anywhere by aeroplane.
10. They want a house, they have nowhere to live.
11. Is someone coming to see us today?
12. There aren’t any pencils in the box.
13. I didn’t see anyone yesterday, I was at home.