1. What is software?
2. Who used this term first and when?
3. What does software consist of?
4. What are the main types of software?
5. What kind of software helps programmer to write computer programs?
6. What tools can the programmer use in writing a program? What are they for?
7. What type of software controls and manages the hardware components? What is the general principle of its work?
8. What kind of software is specially created for various types of tasks? Name some forms of it.
9. Do you know the most popular application suites? What can they include?
10. Is there any type of software that is harmful for common users? Give several examples of it.
Exercise 2. Match English word combinations with their Russian equivalents.
| perform tasks | a | выполнять задачи | |
| binary values | b | двоичные значения | |
| predefined sequence | c | заранее установленная последовательность | |
| execute source code | d | выполнять исходный код | |
| internal complexities | e | внутренние сложности | |
| transfer data | f | передавать данные | |
| render the output | g | выводить выходные данные | |
| maintenance of the system | h | техническая поддержка системы | |
| employ the capabilities | i | использовать возможности | |
| threat to security | j | угроза безопасности |
Exercise 3. Match the words which are very close in their meaning.
| collection | a | give | |
| focus | b | use | |
| briefly | c | widely used | |
| specify | d | characteristic | |
| popular | e | help | |
| assist | f | set | |
| provide | g | dedicate | |
| relate | h | connect | |
| feature | i | in short | |
| employ | j | define |
Exercise 4. Match the words with the opposite meaning.
| different | a | human | |
| major | b | keep | |
| malicious | c | disconnect | |
| transfer | d | multiple | |
| connect | e | random | |
| single | f | same | |
| machine | g | small | |
| sequence | h | store | |
| change | i | useful |
Exercise 5. Mark the sentences: True/False/ No information.
1. Software is a collection of devices aimed at performing different tasks.
2. Computer software can be described as a mother tongue that a computer uses to communicate with a programmer.
3. The main types of computer software are system software, application software and programming software.
4. Programming software is named so because it helps in making different kinds of software.
5. System software is designed for creating new types of computer systems.
6. The main aim of application software is to apply computer resources for accomplishing certain tasks.
7. Malware is a separate type of computer software built for improving computer security.
8. BIOS and firmware provide users with a platform to execute high-level programs.
Exercise 6. Fill in the gaps with the right preposition:between, to, at, into, of, in, with, on, onto, with. Some prepositions can be used more than once.
1. perform tasks ____ a system
2. ____ the very basic level
3. divide _____ three major parts
4. assist a programmer _____ writing programs
5. provide a programmer _____ tools
6. system software refer _____ the operating system
7. render the image _____ the display
8. interaction_____ the hardware and software
9. consists _____ a group of applications
10. to be concerned _____ the system maintenance
Exercise 7. Fill in the table with the right word or phrase.
Debugger, used to satisfy users’ needs, text editor, BIOS, spyware, provides support for writing programs, threaten computer security, designed to run computer’s hardware, System software, Malware, Programming software, Application software.
| Software Class | Function | Example 1 | Example 2 |
| Linker | |||
| Operating system | |||
| Web browser | |||
| Virus |
Exercise 8. Read and translate the text choosing the right word.
SOFTWARE
Software is a collection of organized computer (data, processes, binary values) and instructions that enables a computer to (calculate, compute, perform) a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system (devices, hardware, applications).
The fundamental difference between hardware and software is that the first is tangible while the second is not. Hardware is the (apparatus, machine, equipment) itself and does all of the physical work. Hardware only understands the two basic concepts, on and off, which are (represented, indicated, executed) as 1s and 0s in (high-level, binary, assembly) language. Software (acts, carries out, installs) as the translator between human languages and binary, which makes it possible for the hardware components to understand the instructions and to (perform, interact, serve) with each other. This makes it possible for computers to adapt to new tasks or to (install, download, purchase) new hardware.
There are two main types of computer software: system and application.
(Application, Programming, System) software is the (set, list, suite) of programs designed to coordinate various parts of the computer system and control the activities and functions of the hardware and various programs throughout the computer system. System software serves as the (interface, sequence, firmware) between the hardware, application programs and the user. The main types of system software are operating systems, and drivers.
(System, Application, Programming) software is a defined subclass of computer software that (causes, renders, employs) the capabilities of a computer directly to a specific task that the user wishes to perform.
There are many different types of application software. (According, However, Unlike) to their size there are:
1) a single program: image (display, drive, viewer), media (players, drivers, editor), games, etc.;
2) a software package, multiple software programs that performs similar functions and are bundled and sold together: spreadsheet, word (tool, processor, browser);
3) a software (suite, malware, source code), a group of programs that are sold as a package to (run, solve, refer) common problems: Microsoft Office.
New Types of Software
