The Creation of the Computer (part III)

The fifth generation was introduced in the mid 1990s. The Japanese had set the goal to be the industry leader in 10 years. New areas under development in this generation included artificial intelligence, expert systems and natural languages. Artificial intelligence simulates intelligence, imagination and intuition. Expert system allow the computer to be the expert on a given subject and provide consulting capabilities. Natural languages refer to our every day language. Computers of the future will use natural language.

The first microcomputer was built in 1975 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in a garage. MITS Altair did not have a keyboard or screen, only switches and dials. This humble beginning led to the forming of Apple Computer in 1977. It was an instant success. Others followed, with Tandy/Radio Shack introducing the TRC-80 with projected sales of 5000 units a year. The units were sold in 30 days. Atari and Commodore enjoyed success in the late 1970’s

IBM joined the microcomputer market in the summer of 1971. Within 18 months IBM had captured the lead from Apple. IBM built an expandable machine, one that could grow with the Users and their needs grew. The industry responded by introducing IBM clones or look-alikes. The clones were compatible with the IBM PC. Since that time many models have been introduced with increasing speeds and capacities.

Software has evolved over the last 40 years. Early programs were a crude set of instructions to perform simple mathematical calculations. These programs were batch.

Interactive programs or online programs improved the efficiencies of many companies. Versatility and flexibility in software created user friendly software. Today sophisticated software is made up of hundreds of thousands of instructions.

Exercise 1. Translate into Ukrainian paying attention to the underlined words.

1. The fifth generation was introduced in the mid 1990s.
2. New areas under development in this generation included artificial intelligence, expert systems and natural languages.
3. Computers of the future will use natural language.
4. This humble beginning led to the forming of Apple Computer in 1977.
5. IBM joined the microcomputer market in the summer of 1971.
6. The clones were compatible with the IBM PC.
7. Early programs were a crude set of instructions to perform simple mathematical calculations.
8. Interactive programs or online programs improved the efficiencies of many companies.

9. Today sophisticated software is made up of hundreds of thousands of instructions.

Exercise 2. Find the Ukrainian equivalents for the given words and word-combinations.

1. artificial intelligence 1. повсякденна мова
2. imagination 2. виконувати
3. consulting capabilities 3. штучний інтелект
4. a keyboard 4. користувач
5. a screen 5. удосконалене програмне забезпечення
6. a user 6. інтерактивні програми
7. sophisticated software 7. уява
8. online programs 8. клавіатура
9. to perform 9. екран
10. everyday language 10. здатність надавати консультації

Exercise 3. Translate the following sentences into English.

1. Історія комп’ютеризації налічує 160 років.
2. Розпізнавальна машина використовувалася для пошуку помилок у таблицях, написаних від руки.
3. Аналітична машина була розроблена для виконання математичних обрахунків.
4. ЕНІАК був першим комп’ютером загального призначення.
5. Перфокарти і магнітні стрічки використовувалися для повторного збереження.
6. В третьому поколінні комп’ютерів інтегральна схема замінила транзистори.
7. Напівпровідниковий чіп виготовляється із кристалічної речовини, що проводить електричний струм.
8. Комп’ютери майбутнього будуть використовувати природні мови.
9. Перші програми були простим (грубим) набором інструкцій для виконання математичних обрахунків.