Компьютерная техника. Еремина Н.В. - 31 стр.

6 UNIT VI

6.1 Text I

        Read the passage carefully and answer the question:
        How many and what means of increasing computer speeds are mentioned in the
text?
The future of computers

       During the past decade development work for extremely powerful and cost-
effective computers has concentrated on new _ architectures. In place of "scalar"
processors, the emphasis has moved towards "vector" and "parallel" processors,
commonly referred to as "supercomputers". These marines are now in fairly
widespread use in many branches of science. Vectorization of quark field calculations
in partite physics has improved performance by factors of ten or twenty compared
with the traditional scalar algorithms.
       Computers must still be programmed for every action they take which is a
great limitation. How quickly the programmer can tell it what to do becomes a major
drag on computer speeds. The time lag can be shortened by linking up different
computers and designing more efficient devices to jam information in and pull it out
of the machine, but the basic limitation of the step-by-step program remains.
       A means around this roadblock is called parallel processing. Instead of solving
a problem by following step-by-step instructions of the program the arithmetic and
memory units will break the main problem down into a number of smaller problems
that will be solved simultaneously. Parallel processing was introduced into the fourth
generation computer called ILLIAC IV named for the University of Illinois, where it
was designed.
       The incredibly rapid speeds we are approaching will be of little value without a
corresponding increase in the speed with which we can get at the computer-generated
information. One new approach, called graphics, uses the cathoderay tube-the picture
tube of your TV set-to display the information pictorially. A light pen—actually an
electronic pointer—can be touched to the screen, and conversation between man and
machine can be accomplished. For example, the computer can flash a series of
options on its screen. The scientist selects the one he wants by touching it with a light
pen. The great advantage of these so-called graphic computers is in solving design
problems and in coping with any trial-and-error situation.
       The graphic computer offers the most flexible means of communication
between man and machine yet developed. For example, the designer can draw a car
roof on the screen with his light pen. The computer will do the mathematics required
to straighten out the lines and, in effect, present a draftman's version of the designer's
idea. The computer will then offer a variety of options to the designer—"front view",