Английский для пользователей компьютеров. Ч.2. Белобородова М.Л - 13 стр.

or compilers, which convert the whole source program at once and create
a program in object code that the computer can understand (called an
object program) and save. The average business user will not have to
interact directly with language translators.
   The level of sophistication of systems software depends on the size of the
computer it operates and the tasks it is intended to perform. When operating
systems were first developed, they could support only single users; many
mainframe operating systems and some microcomputer operating systems can
now support multitasking (performing several tasks so fast that it appears they
are being done at once), multiprocessing (using two or more CPUs to process
two or more programs simultaneously), timesharing (allowing several users to
work at the computer at the same time using assigned time slices), and virtual
storage (employing a piecemeal procedure for using secondary storage that
increases the efficiency of main memory use).
   The most popular disk operating systems for microcomputers are MS -
DOS/PC-DOS, OS/2, Apple DOS, and UNIX. Operating systems like OS/2
and UNIX can support multiusers and multitasking on microcomputers.
   Software is written to work with a particular type of microprocessor and is
incompatible with machines that do not use that type of processor.
   Key questions you should ask the seller about each software package before
you buy are the following:
  1. How much does it cost?
  2. What specific problems does it solve?
  3. What are its key features?
  4. What kind of hardware, operating system, and internal storage is required?
  5. What kind of documentation and self-paced training, if any, is available?
   6. If problems arise, what kind of field or store support and telephone
      support is available?
7. What kind of warranty is offered, if any?
8. Can you give me the names of users with needs like mine who are using this
software?
The user who is in the position of acquiring a microcomputer should consider
the availability of applications software needed and then pick systems software
and hardware that are mutually compatible and compatible with the
applications software.
BE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE KEY
TERMS:
applications software
 assembly language
booting
computer-aided design computer-aided engineering (CAE)