计算机专业英语2.ppt

计算机专业英语教程 Computer Development The First Generation of Computers (1946 through 1959) The Second Generation of Computers (1959 through 1964) The Third Generation of Computers (1964 through 1971) The Fourth Generation of Computers (1971 through now) Unit 2 CPU and Memory 2.1 Text The CPU means the Central Processing Unit. It is the heart of a computer system. A CPU can be a single microprocessor chip, a set of chips, or a box of boards of transistors, chips, wires, and connectors. Two main performance factors of CPU are clock rate and word size. 64-bit Processors Sixty-four-bit processors have been with us since 1992, and in the 21st century they have started to become mainstream. Sixty-four-bit processors have 64-bit ALUs, 64-bit registers, 64-bit buses and so on. Memory RAM and ROM play important roles of storage devices. Computer memory is measured in kilobytes or megabytes of information. Cache is another factor affecting CPU performance. It is special high speed memory that gives the CPU more rapid access to data. 2.2 Reading Material 1：——Hard Disks Hard disks were invented in the 1950s. They started as large disks up to 20 inches in diameter holding just a few megabytes. A typical desktop machine will have a hard disk with a capacity of between 10 and 40 gigabytes. Data is stored onto the disk in the form of files. I.Introduction The interaction between the input and output hardware is controlled by software called the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) software. Although microprocessors are still technically considered to be hardware, portions of their function are also associated with computer software. Since microprocessors have both hardware and software aspects they are therefore often referred to as firmware. Unit 3 Input and Output Systems 3.1 Text Using input devices, people “tell” the computer what it should do and the computer feedback the result through output devices. Input and output devices are the interfaces of man and machin