COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

Computer software refers to one or more computer programs and data held in the storage of a computer for some purpose. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all information, programs and data processed by computer system.

There are three layers of software performing a variety of tasks: platform, application, and user software.

Platform software includes the basic input-output system, device drivers, an operating system, and a graphical user interface which allow a user to interact with the computer and its peripherals.

Typical examples of applications include office suites and video games. Application software is often purchased separately from computer hardware. Sometimes applications are bundled with the computer, but applications are almost always the programs independent of the operating system, though they are often tailored for specific platforms.

User software tailors systems to meet the users specific needs. User software includes spreadsheet templates, word processor macros, scientific simulations, graphics and animation scripts. Even email filters are a kind of user software.

Computer software should be “loaded” into the computer's storage (memory).

Computer software is called so in contrast to computer hardware, which includes mechanical, electrical, and electronic components of a computer system which stores and executes the software.

Computers operate by executing the computer program. This involves passing instructions from the application software, through the system software, to the hardware which receives the instruction as machine code. Each instruction causes the computer to carry out an operation - moving data, carrying out a computation, or altering the flow of instructions.

Vocabulary:

application ["æplɪ'keɪʃən] n,– приложение

bundle ['bʌndl] v.– поставляться в комплекте

device driver [dɪ'vaɪs 'draɪvə] – драйвер устройства (программа, которая организует взаимодействие определенного устройства с компьютером)

office suite ['ɒfɪs swI:t] – офисный пакет

peripherals [pq'rIfqrql] – внешнее устройство

platform ['plæt"fɔ:m] n.– аппаратная среда

purchase ['pWtʃəs] v.– покупать

script ['skrɪpt] n.– скрипт

spreadsheet ['spred"ʃi:t] n.– электронная таблица

template ['tem"pleɪt] n.- шаблон

tailor ['teɪlə] v. – приспосабливать

user software ['ju:zə'sɒf(t)"weə] – программные средства пользователя

word processor marco [wWd 'prəʊ"sesə 'mækrəʊ] – макроязык текстового процессора

Answer the following questions:

1. What is computer software and where is it held?

2. How many layers does software have?

3. What does platform software include?

4. What are typical examples of applications?

5. What are applications independent of?

6. What does user software include?

7. What are the components of hardware?

8. What does the computer program involve?

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