计算机专业英语基础知识

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1、计算机专业英语(ComputerEnglish)Chapter 1 The History and Future of ComputersKey points:useful terms and definitions of computersDifficult points:describing the features of computers of each generationRequirements:1.The trends of computer hardware and software2.Basic characteristics of modern computers3.Maj

2、or characteristics of the four generations of modern computers4.了解科技英语的特点，掌握科技英语翻译要点1.1 The Invention of the ComputerNew Words&Expressions:computerlike a.计算机似的 electromechanical a.机 电的，电机的 vacuum tubes 真空管Census Bureau人口普查局thousands o f 成千上万的known a s 通常所说的，以.著称Abbreviations:ENIAC(Electronic Numeric

3、al Integrator and Computer)电子数字积分计算机，ENIAC 计算机EDSAC(Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Computer)延迟存储电子自动计算机 BINAC(Binary Automatic Computer)二进制自动计算机 UNIVAC(Universal Automatic Computer)通用自动计算机1.1 The Invention of the ComputerIt is hard to say exactly when the modern computer was invented.Starting in

4、 the 1930s andthrough the 1940s,a number of machines were developed that were like computers.But most ofthese machines did not have all the characteristics that we associate with computers today.Thesecharacteristics are that the machine is electronic,that it has a stored program,and that it is gener

5、alpurpose.很难确切地说现代计算机是什么时候发明的。从 20世 纪 30年代到4 0 年代，制造了许多类似计算机的机器。但是这些机器大部分没有今天我们所说的计算机的所有特征。这些特性是：机器是电子的，具有储存的程序，而且是通用的。1.1 The Invention of the ComputerOne of the first computerlike devices was developed in Germany by Konrad Zuse in 1941.Calledthe Z3,it was general-purpose,stored-program machine wit

6、h many electronic parts,but it had amechanical memory.Another electromechanical computing machine was developed by HowardAiken,with financial assistance from IBM,at Harvard University in 1943.It was called theAutomatic Sequence Control Calculator Mark I,or simply the Harvard Mark I.Neither of thesem

7、achines was a true computer,however,because they were not entirely electronic.第一个类似计算机的装置之一是1941年由德国的Konrad Zuse研制的，叫做Z3,它是通用型储存程序机器，具有许多电子部件，但是它的存储器是机械的。另一台机电式计算机器是由霍华德艾坎在IBM的资助下于1943年在哈佛大学研制的。它被称为自动序列控制计算器M ark【，或简称哈佛M a rk h 然而，这些机器都不是真正的计算机，因为它们不是完全电子化的。1.1 The Invention of the Computer1.1.1 The

8、 ENIACPerhaps the most influential of the early computerlike devices was the Electronic NumericalIntegrator and Computer,or ENIAC.It was developed by J.Presper Eckert and John Mauchly atthe University of Pennsylvania.The project began in 1943 and was completed in 1946.Themachine was huge;it weighed

9、30 tons and contained over 18,000 vacuum tubes.也许早期最具影响力的类似计算机的装置应该是电子数字积分计算机，或 简 称 ENIACo它是由宾夕凡尼亚大学的J.Presper Eckert和 John Mauchly研制的。该工程于1943年开始，并 于 1946年完成。这台机器极其庞大，重达30吨，而且包含18,000多个真空管。1.1 The Invention of the Computer1.1.1 The ENI AC The ENIAC was a major advancement for its time.It was the fi

10、rstgeneral-purpose,electronic computing machine and was capable of performing thousands ofoperations per second.It was controlled,however,by switches and plugs that had to be manuallyset.Thus,although it was a general-purpose electronic device,it did not have a stored program.Therefore,it did not ha

11、ve all the characteristics of a computer.ENIAC 是当时重要的成就。它是第一台通用型电子计算机器，并能够执行每秒数千次运算。然而，它是由开关和继电器控制的，必须手工设定。因此，虽然它是一个通用型电子装置，但是它没有储存程序。因此,它不具备计算机的所有特征。1.1 The Invention of the Computer1.1.1 The ENIACWhile working on the ENIAC,Eckert and Mauchly were joined by a brilliant mathematician,Johnvon Neuman.

12、Together,they developed the idea of a stored program computer.This machine,called the Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer,or EDVAC,was the first machinewhose design included all the characteristics of a computer.It was not completed,however,until1951.在 ENIAC的研制中，一个天才的数学家Von Neuman（冯诺伊曼）加

13、 入 到 Eckert和Mauchly团队,他们一起提出了储存程序计算机的主意。这部机器被称做电子离散变量自动计算机，或简称EDVAC,是第一部包括了计算机所有特征的机器。然而，直 到 1951年，它一直没有完成。1.1 The Invention of the Computer1.1.1 The ENIACBefore the ED VAC was finished,several other machines were built that incoiporated elements ofthe EDVAC design of Eckert,Mauchly,and von Neuman.O

14、ne was the Electronic Delay StorageAutomatic Computer,or EDSAC,which was developed in Cambridge,England.It first operatedin May of 1949 and is probably the worlds first electronic stored-program,general-purposecomputer to become operational.The first computer to operate in the United States was the

15、BinaryAutomatic Computer,or BINAC,which became operational in August of 1949.在 EDVAC 完成之前，其他一些机器建成了，它们吸收了 Eckert、Mauchly和 Neuman设计的要素。其中一部是在英国剑桥研制的电子延迟存储自动计算机，或简称ED SAC,它 在 1949年 5 月首次运行，它可能是世界的第一台电子储存程序、通用型计算机投入运行。在美国运行的第一部计算机是二进制自动计算机,或简称BINAC,它 在 1949年 8 月投入运行。1.1 The Invention of the Computer1.1

16、.2 The UNIVACI Like other computing pioneers before them,Eckert and Mauchly formed a company in 1947 todevelop a commercial computer.The company was called the Eckert-Mauchly ComputerCorporation.Their objective was to design and build the Universal Automatic Computer orUNIVAC.Because of difficulties

17、 of getting financial support,they had to sell the company toRemington Rand in 1950.Eckert and Mauchly continued to work on the UNIVAC at RemingtonRand and completed it in 1951.Known as the UNIVAC I,this machine was the first commerciallyavailable computer.像他们之前的其他计算机先驱一样,Eckert和 Mauchly在 1947年组成了一家

18、公司开发商业计算机。公司名叫EckertMauchly计算机公司。他们的目标是设计并建造通用自动计算机或UNIVACo因为难以获得财政支持，他们不得不在1950年把公司卖给了Remington Rand 公司。Eckert 和 Mauchly 继续在 Remington Rand 公司从事 UNIVAC 的研制工作，并 在 1951年取得成功。众所周知的UNIVAC I 机器是世界上第一部商业化计算机。1.1 The Invention of the Computer1.1.2 The UNIVACI The first UNIVAC I was delivered to the Census

19、 Bureau and used for the 1950 census.Thesecond UNIVAC I was used to predict that Dwight Eisenhower would win the 1952 presidentialelection,less than an hour after the polls closed.The UNIVAC I began the modern of computeruse.第一台UNIVAC I 被交付人口普查局用于1950年的人口普查。在投票点关闭后1 小时之内，第二台UNIVAC I 被用于预测D.艾森豪威尔会赢得1

20、952年总统大选。UNIVAC I 开始了现代计算机的应用。1.2 Computer GenerationsNew Words&Expressions:result i n 导致，造成.结 果 air conditioning空气调节take delivery o f 正式接过 Navylieutenant 海军上尉 high-level language 高级语言 mainframe n.主机，大型机 more andm ore越 来 越 多 的 range fro m to 从 到 multiprogramming n.多道程序设计time-share n.分时，时间共享 virtual

21、memory 虚拟内存 from scratch 从头开始 compatible a.兼容的；compatibility n.兼 容 性 outnumber v t.数目超过，比多 proliferate v.增生，扩散start off v.出发，开始Abbreviations:VLSI(Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit)超大规模集成电路 LSI(Large Scale IntegratedCircuit)大规模集成电路DEC(Digital Equipment Corporation)美国数字设备公司COBOL(Common Business-Orie

22、nted Language)面向商业的通用语言1.2 Computer Generations1.2.1 First-Generation Computers:19511958First-gene rati on computers were characterized by the use of vacuum tubes as their principalelectronic component.Vacuum tubes are bulky and produce a lot of heat,so first-generationcomputers were large and requi

23、red extensive air conditioning to keep them cool.In addition,because vacuum tubes do not operate very fast,these computers were relatively slow.第一代计算机的特色是使用真空管为其主要电子器件。真空管体积大且发热严重，因此第一代计算机体积庞大，并且需要大量的空调设备保持冷却。此外，因为真空管运行不是很快，这些计算机运行速度相对较慢。The UNIVAC I was the first commercial computer in this generat

24、ion.As noted earlier,it was usedin the Census Bureau in 1951.It was also the first computer to be used in a business application.In 1954,General Electric took delivery of a UNIVAC I and used it for some of its business dataprocessing.UNIVAC I 是第一代口最早的商业化计算机。如前所述，它 在 1951年被用于人口普查周。它还是第一部用于商业应用的计算机。在

25、1954年，通用电气接收了 UNIVAC I,并用它进行一些商业数据处理。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.1 First-Generation Computers:1951 1958The UNIVAC I was not the most popular first-generation computer,however.This honor goes tothe IBM 650.It was first delivered in 1955 before Remington Rand could come out with asuccessor to the UNIV

26、AC I.With the IBM 650,IBM captured the majority of the computer market,a position it still holds today.然而,UN1VAC I 并不是最流行的第一代计算机。这一荣誉属于IBM 6500 它在Remington Rand能够造出UNIVAC I 的后续产品之前的1955年首次交付使用。凭借IBM 650,IBM 占有了大半计算机市场，它在今天仍然保持这一位置。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.1 First-Generation Computers:1951 1958At

27、the same time that hardware was evolving,software was developing.The first computers wereprogrammed in machine language,but during the first computer generation,the idea ofprogramming language translation and high-level languages occurred.Much of the credit for theseideas goes to Grace Hopper,who,as

28、 a Navy lieutenant in 1945,learned to program the HarvardMark L In 1952,she developed the first programming language translator,followed by others inlater years.She also developed a language called Flow-matic in 1957,which formed the basis forCOBOL,the most commonly used business programming languag

29、e today.同时，硬件在进化，软件也在发展。第一部计算机用机器语言编程，但是在第一代计算机期间，程序语言翻译的概念和高级语言出现了。这些主意大部分归功于Grace Hopper,她 在 1954年是一名海军上尉，学习为哈佛Mark I 计算机编程。在 1952年，她开发了第一种编程语言翻译器,在稍后的数年内为其他人所效仿。她还在1957年开发了一种称为Flow-matic的语言，为 COBOL今天最广泛应用的商业编程语言奠定了基础。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.1 First-Generation Computers:19511958Other software

30、developments during the first computer generation include the design of theFORTRAN programming language in 1957.This language became the first widely used high-levellanguage.Also,the first simple operating systems became available with first-generationcomputers.在第一代计算机期间，软件方面的其他的进展包括1957年 FORTRAN语言的

31、设计。这种语言成为第一种广泛使用的高级语言。同时，第一个简单的操作系统随着第一代计算机而出现。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.2 Second-Generation Computers:1959 1963In the second generation of computers,transistors replaced vacuum tubes.Although invented in1948,the first all-transistor computer did not become available until 1959.Transistors are sma

32、llerand less expensive than vacuum tubes,and they operate faster and produce less heat.Hence,withsecond-generation computers,the size and cost of computers decreased,their speed increased,andtheir air-conditioning needs were reduced.在第二代计算机中，晶体管取代了真空管。虽然发明 于 1948年，但第一台全晶体管计算机直到1959年才成为现实。晶体管比真空管体积小、

33、价格低，而旦运行快而发热少。因此，随着第二代计算机的出现，计算机的体积和成本降低、速度提高，且它们对空调的需要减少。Many companies that had not previously sold computer entered the industry with the secondgeneration.One of these companies that still makes computers is Control Data Corporation(CDC).They were noted for making high-speed computers for scienti

34、fic work.许多先前不经销计算机的公司随着第二代计算机的出现进入计算机行业，其中今天仍然制造计算机的公司之一是控制数据公司(CDC),他们以制造用于科学工作的高速计算机而著名。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.2 Second-Generation Computers:19591963Remintong Rand,now called Sperr-Rand Corporation,made several second-generation UNIVACcomputers.IBM,however,continued to dominate the industry.

35、One of the most popularsecond-generation computers was the IBM 1401,which was a medium-sized computer used bymany businesses.Remintong Rand,现在叫做 Sperr-Rand 公司,制造了一些第二代 UNIVAC 计算机。然而，IBM继续称霸计算机行业。最流行的第二代计算机之一是IBM 1401,这是一部许多企业使用的中型计算机。All computers at this time were mainframe computers costing over a

36、 million dollars.The firstminicomputer became available in 1960 and cost about$120,000.This was the PDP-1,manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation(DEC).当时所有的计算机都是价值百万元以上的大型计算机。第一台小型计算机产生于I960年，价 值 12万美元，它就是由数据设备公司(DEC)制造的PDP-k1.2 Computer Generations1.2.2 Second-Generation Computers:19591963Sof

37、tware also continued to develop during this time.Many new programming languages weredesigned,including COBOL in 1960.More and more businesses and organizations werebeginning to use computers for their data processing needs.在此期间软件也在继续发展。许多新的编程语言被发明，包 括 1960年发明的COBOL。越来越多的企业和组织开始使用计算机以满足他们的数据处理需要。1.2

38、Computer Generations1.2.3 Third-Generation Computers:19641970The technical development that marks the third generation of computers is the use of integratedcircuits or ICs in computers.An integrated circuit is a piece of silicon(a chip)containingnumerous transistors.One IC replaces many transistors

39、in a computer;result in a continuation ofthe trends begun in the second generation.These trends include reduced size,reduced cost,increased speed,and reduced need for air conditioning.作为第一:代计算机标志的技术发展是在计算机中使用集成电路或简称ICo 一个集成电路就是包含许多晶体管的一个硅片(芯片)。一个集成电路代替了计算机中的许多晶体管，导致了始于第二代的一些趋势的继续。这些趋势包括计算机体积减小、成本降低、

40、速度提高和对空调的需要减少。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.3 Third-Generation Computers:19641970Although integrated circuits were invented in 1958,the first computers to make extensive use ofthem were not available until 1964.In that year,IBM introduced a line of mainframe computerscalled the System/360.The computer

41、s in this line became the most widely used third-generationmachines.There were many models in the System/360 line,ranging from small,relatively slow,and inexpensive ones,to large,very fast,and costly models.All models,however,werecompatible so that programs written for one model could be used on ano

42、ther.This feature ofcompatibility across many computers in a line was adopted by other manufacturers ofthird-generation computers.虽然集成电路发明于1958年，但是直到1964年才出现了第一台广泛使用IC 的计算机。那一年，IBM推出了称为System/360的大型计算机系列。这一系列的计算机成为使用最广泛的第三代计算机。在 System/360系列中有许多机型，从小型的、相对较慢的且价格低廉的机型，到大型的、非常快的且价格昂贵的机型。然而，所有的机型都是兼容的，以

43、便在一个机型上编写的程序可以用于另一个机型。这个在许多计算机系列间兼容的特征被其他第三代计算机制造商所采用。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.3 Third-Gene rati on Computers:1964 1970The third computer generation was also the time when minicomputers became widespread.Themost popular model was the PDP-8,manufactured by DEC.Other companies,including DataGeneral

44、 Corporation and Hewlett-Packard Company,introduced minicomputers during the thirdgeneration.计算机的第三代也是小型计算机普及的时代。最流行的小型机是由DEC制造的PDP-8。其他公司，包括数据通用公司和惠普(Hewlett-Packard)公司，在第三代期间开发了小型计算机。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.3 Third-Generation Computers:19641970The principal software development during the thir

45、d computer generation was the increasedsophistication of operating systems.Although simple operating systems were developed forfirst-and second-generation computers,many of the features of modern operating systems firstappeared during the third generation.These include multiprogramming,virtual memor

46、y,andtime-sharing.The first operating systems were mainly batch systems,but during the thirdgeneration,interactive systems,especially on minicomputers,became common.The BASICprogramming language was designed in 1964 and became popular during the third computergeneration because of its interactive na

47、ture.在第三代计算机期间，软件的主要发展是操作系统的复杂化程度提高。虽然为第一代和第二代计算机开发了简单的操作系统，许多现代操作系统的特征首先在第三代期间出现。这些特征包括多道程序设计、虚拟存储和分时技术。第一代操作系统主要是批处理系统，但是在第三代期间，交互式系统开始普及，尤其是在小型计算机上。BASIC语言发明于1964年，并由于其交互式特征而在第三代计算机期间大为流行。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.4 Fourth-Generation Computers:1971?The fourth generation of computers is more dif

48、ficult to define than the other three generations.This generation is characterized by more and more transistors being contained on a silicon chip.First there was Large Scale Integration(LSI),with hundreds and thousands of transistors per chip,then came Very Large Scale Integration(VLSI),with tens of

49、 thousands and hundreds of thousandsof transistors.The trend continues today.第四代计算机比其他三代更难以定义。这一代计算机的特征是一个芯片上包含越来越多的晶体管。首先，出现了一个芯片上具有数百和数千个晶体管的大规模集成电路(L S I),接着出现了一个芯片上具有数万和数十万个晶体管的超大规模集成电路(VLSI)。这个趋势在今天仍在持续。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.4 Fourth-Generation Computers:1971?Although not everyone agrees

50、that there is a fourth computer generation,those that do feel that itbegan in 1971,when IBM introduced its successors to the System/360 line of computers.Thesemainframe computers were called the System/370,and current-model IBM computers,althoughnot called System/370s,evolved directly from these com

51、puters.虽然并不是每个人都同意存在一个第四代，那些认为存在的觉得它开始于1971年，其 时 IBM开发了 System/360系列计算机的下一系列产品。这些大型计算机称为System/370,当 前 的 IB M 计算机虽然不叫做System/370,但都是从这些计算机直接发展而来的。Minicomputers also proliferated during thefourth computer generation.The most popular lines were the DEC PDP-11 models and the DECVAX,both of which are av

52、ailable in various models today.小型计算机也在第四代期间迅速增长。最流行的系列是DEC公司的PDP-11机和DEC的 VAX机,二者在今天的各种机型中仍然有效。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.4 Fourth-Generation Computers:1971?Supercomputers first became prominent in the fourth generation.Although many companies,including IBM and CDC,developed high-speed computers f

53、or scientific work,it was not untilCray Research,Inc.,introduced the Cray 1 in 1975 that supercomputers became significant.Today,supercomputers are an important computer classification.超级计算机首先在第四代中突起。虽然包括IBM和 CDC（控制数据公司）在内的许多公司都为科学工作开发了高速计算机，但是直到 1975年 Cray研究有限公司推出了 Cray 1,超级计算机才变得有意义。今天，超级计算机是重要的计算

54、机分类。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.4 Fourth-Generation Computers:1971?Perhaps the most important trend that began in the fourth generation is the proliferation ofmicrocomputers.As more and more transistors were put on silicon chips,it eventually becamepossible to put an entire computer processor,called

55、 a microprocessor,on a chip.The firstcomputer to use microprocessors became available in the mid-1970s.The first microcomputerdesigned for personal use was the Altair,which was sold in 1975.The first Apple computer,marketed with the IBM PC in 1981.Today,microcomputers far outnumber all other types o

56、fcomputers combined.也许在第四代计算机开始的最重要趋势是微型计算机的增长。随着越来越多的晶体管被集成到硅芯片上，将一整个计算机处理器（称为微处理器）放在一个芯片上终于成为可能。使用微处理器的第一部计算机出现于1970年代。第一部专为个人使用设计的微型计算机是Altair,它 于 1975进入市场。第一部苹果计算机在1981年 与 IBM 个人计算机一起在市场上销售。今天，微型计算机数目远远超过其他所有类型计算机的总和。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.4 Fourth-Generation Computers:1971？Software develop

57、ment during the fourth computer generation started off with little change fromthe third generation.Operating systems were gradually improved,and new languages weredesigned.Database software became widely used during this time.The most important trend,however,resulted from the microcomputer revolutio

58、n.Packaged software became widelyavailable for microcomputers so that today most software is purchased,not developed fromscratch.在计算机的第四代期间，软件的发展开始与第三代有所不同。操作系统在逐渐地改进，而新的语言被发明。期间数据库软件被广泛使用。然而，最重要的趋势起因于微型计算机革命。用于微型计算机的软件包随处可得，因此今天大多数的软件可以购得，而不需从头开始开发。1.2 Computer Generations1.2.5 Generationless Compu

59、tersWe may have defined our last generation of computers and begun the era of generationlesscomputers.Even though computer manufacturers talk of“fifth and“sixth”-generationcomputers,this talk is more a marketing play than a reflection of reality,我们可能已经定义了 我们最新一代计算机而且开始了计算机的无代时代。即使计算机制造商谈到“第五”和“第六”代计

60、算机,这些说法更多是市场行为，而不是真实的反映。Advocates of the concept of generationless computers say that even though technologicalinnovations are coming in rapid succession,no single innovation is,or will be,significant enoughto characterize another generation of computers.无代计算机的观念提倡者说，即使科技革新接二连三地迅速出现，没有一种革新是，或将是足够重要，

61、作为另一代计算机的特征。1.3 Near-future Supercomputer DirectionsNew Words&Expressions:glean vt.v i.搜集(情报或事实)MD abbr.Maryland(马里兰)Tflops abbr.teraflops 每秒兆兆(1012)次 architecture n.体系机构 terabit n.兆兆位 factor n.阶乘 bandwidth n.带宽 Terabyten.兆兆(1012)字 节；Petabyte n.千兆兆(1015)字节 microprocessor n.计 微处理器contemplate v.凝视，沉思

62、order n.阶，次 turbulence n.扰动；湍流 GB=GigaBit,千兆位；=GigaByle,吉字节 flops n.每秒浮点运算次数(floating-point operation per second)1.3 Near-future Supercomputer DirectionsSome idea of what might be happening in the near future in supercomputer design can be gleanedfrom a press release issued by the US Department of E

63、nergy(DoE).It canie out of theSUPERCOMPUTING 2002 Conference held last November in Baltimore,MD.The press releaseannounced that the DoE had awarded IBM a$290(USD)million contract to build the two fastestsupercomputers in the world with a combined peak speed of 460 TFlops.To get an idea of thespeed c

64、omputing throughput 460 teraflops represents,the press release states that,“These twosystems will have more than one-and-a-half times the combined processing power of all 500machines on the recently announced TOP 500 List of Supercomputers.”从美国能源部发行的通告中，可以收集一些有关在不久的将来超级计算机设计中可能发生的事情的概念。它来自在马里兰州巴尔的摩市

65、召开的2002年超级计算会议。该通告称能源部已给IBM拨款2.9亿美元建造世界上最快的两部超级计算机，其最高综合速度为每秒4 6 0 兆兆次。为了理解每秒460兆兆次速度的含义，通告解释说,“这两个系统将会具有最近发布的500强超级计算机的总处理能力的1.5倍还多J1.3 Near-future Supercomputer DirectionsThe first system,4tASCI Purple/*apparently the DoE likes colorful names will be the worldsfirst supercomputer capable of 100 Tf

66、lops.ASCI Purple will have a massive cluster ofPOWER-based IBM eServer systems and IBM storage systems.This supercomputer represents afifth-generation system under the Advanced Simulation and Computing Initiative(ASCI)Program.It will serve as the primary supercomputer for D oE.第一个系统“ASCI Purple，显然能源部；生动的名字 将会是世界的第一部能够运算每秒100兆兆次的超级计算机。ASCI Purple将具有基于POWER系列的IBM eServer系 统 和 IB M 存储系统的宏大组群。这台超级计算机代表模拟和计算行动计划(ASCI)支持的第五代系统。它将作为能源部主要的超级计算机。1.3 Near-future Supercomputer DirectionsAccording to the pr