Unit 01: Program Design

(adapted from Esteras, S. Remacha. C.U.P, 2002)

1. In pairs, try to think of an answer for the question:

What is programming?

2. Complete the following definitions with the words and phrases in the box.

the various parts of the program - may occur in programs - language - binary numbers - a given problem

a. Algorithm
 The step-by-step specification of how to reach the solution to .
b. Flowchart
 A diagram representing the logical sequence between .
c. Coding
 The translation of the logical steps into a programming .
d. Machine code
 The basic instructions understood by computers. The processor operates on codes which consist of
   .
e. Debugging
 The techniques of detecting, diagnosing and correcting errors (or 'bugs') which
   .

3. What do the words Flowchart, Coding and Debugging mean in Portuguese?

Reading

4. Read the text and find answers to these questions in Portuguese.

a. Os computadores entendem a linguagem humana? Por quê?

b. Quais as diferenças entre as linguagem de baixo nível e linguagem de alto nível?

c. Qual a função dos compiladores?

d. O que você entende pelos termos source program e object program?

e. No futuro, os computadores serão capazes de ser programados em espanhol, francês ou japonês?

 

Programming languages

Unfortunately, computers cannot understand ordinary spoken English or any other natural language. The only language they can understand directly is called machine code. This consists of the 1s and 0s (binary codes) that are processed by the CPU.

However, machine code as a means of communication is very difficult to write. For this reason, we use symbolic languages that are easier to understand. Then, by using a special program, these languages can be translated into machine code. For example, the so-called assembly-languages use abbreviations such as ADD, SUB, MPY to represent instructions. These mnemonic codes are like labels easily associated with the items to which they refer.

Basic languages, where the program is similar to the machine code version, are known as low-level languages. In these languages, each instruction is equivalent to a single machine code instruction, and the program is converted into machine code by a special program called an assembler. These languages are still quite complex and restricted to particular machines.

To make the programs easier to write and to overcome the problem of intercommunication between different types of machines, higher-level languages were designed such as BASIC, COBOL, FORTRAN or Pascal. These are all problem-oriented rather than machine-oriented. Programs written in one of these languages (known as source programs) are converted into low-level language by means of a compiler (generating the object program). On compilation, each statement in a high-level language is generally translated into many machine code instructions.

People communicate instructions to the computer in symbolic languages and the easier this communication can be made, the wider the application of computers will be. Scientists are already working on Artificial Intelligence and the next generation of computers may be able to understand human languages.

Instructions are written in a high-level language
(e.g. Pascal, BASIC, COBOL, Ada, C, Lisp).
This is known as the source program.

Compiler
Compilers translate the original code into a lower-level language or machine code so that the CPU can understand it.

Instructions are compiled and packaged into a program.
The software is ready to run on the computer.

 

Word Check-up

5. Look at the groups of words. Then complete the sentences with the correct word.

compile - compiler - compilation

 

 

a. Programs written in a high-level language require , or translation into machine code.

b. A generates several low-level instructions for each source language statement.

c. Programmers usually their programs to create an object program and diagnose possible errors.

program - programmers - programming - programmable


 

d. Most computer make a plan of the program before they write it. This plan is called a flowchart.

e. A computer is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.

f. Converting an algorithm into a sequence of instructions in a programming language is called .

bug - debug - debugger - debugging

 

 

g. New programs need to make them work properly.

h. Any error or malfunction of a computer program is known as a .

i. The best compilers usually include an integrated which detects syntax errors.

6. In the word debug the prefix de- is used. This prefix means 'to reverse an action'. Here are a few more examples:

defrost - declassify - decode - decompose - decentralize

 

 

   a. Write down the base form of each verb.
   b. What do the verbs mean in your language?

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

 



 

 

 

7. Search the Web:

Go to: http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/part_3.htm, and http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/gerund_or_infinitive_same_list.htm.
Read the texts about the use of Verbs Followed by Gerunds and Infinitives. After that, answer the exercise below.

Verb + Infinitive or Gerund

7. Look at these pairs of examples and translate them into Portuguese.

1. a.  I remember shutting down the computer before I left the room.

   b.  Please remember to buy a new program.

2. a.  They stopped to look at the flowchart.

    b.  They stopped looking at the flowchart.

3. a.  I like studying C language.

    b. I like to study C language in the evenings.

4. a.  It has started to rain.

    b.  It has started raining.

 

8. Read the information in the HELP box.

 

HELP box
Verb + Infinitive or Gerund with a Difference in Meaning - Summary

Alguns verbos em inglês apresentam diferenças de significado quando são seguidos de infinitvo ou gerúndio.

REMEMBER + INFINITIVE = lembrar de realizar uma responsabilidade, obrigação ou tarefa.

- José Antônio always remembers to lock the door.

REMEMBER + GERUND = lembrar (recordar) de algo que aconteceu no passado.

- I remember seeing the Alps for the first time. The sight was impressive.

STOP + INFINITIVE = parar com o propósito de; a fim de que.

- I ran into an old friend yesterday. I stopped to talk to him.

STOP + GERUND = parar de fazer algo.

- When the professor entered the room, the students stopped talking.



 

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