Computer Hardware

Computer Hardware

Para 1

Computer hardware can be divides into four categories: input hardware, storage-hardware, processing hardware, and output hardware.

生詞：

hardware 硬件

category 種類，類別

process 處理

計算機硬件能被分爲四類：輸入硬件，存儲硬件，處理硬件和輸出硬件。

Para 2 Input Hardware

The purpose of input hardware is to collect data and convert it into a form suitable for computer processing. The most common input device is a keyboard. It looks very much like a typewriter keyboard. Its key are arranged in the typical typewriter layout. There are also a number of additional keys. They can be used to enter special computer-related codes. Although it isn't the only type of input device available, the computer keyboard is the one which is most generally used by the business community.

生詞：

form 格式；形式；形狀；樣子

suitable 合適的

additional 額外的

輸入硬件的目的是收集信息並將其轉化爲能被計算機處理的合適的格式。最多見的輸入設備是鍵盤。它看起來和打字機鍵盤很像。它的按鍵採用打字機的佈局，但也有許多額外的按鍵。它們能被用來輸入特殊的與計算機相關的編碼。儘管它不是惟一的輸入設備，但它是被商業街界使用的最普遍的。

para 3 Storage Hardware

The purpose of storage hardware is to provide a means of storing computer instructions and data in a form that is relatively permanent, that is, the data is not lost when the power is turned off and easy to retrieve when needed for processing. Storage hardware serves the same basic function as do office filing systems except that it stores data as electromagnetic signals or laser-etched spots, commonly on disk or tape, rather than on paper.

生詞：

relatively adv. 至關地；相對地，比較地

permanent adj. 永久的，永恆的；不變的

retrieve vt. [計] 檢索；恢復；從新獲得 vi. 找回獵物 n. [計] 檢索；恢復，取回

electromagnetic adj. 電磁的

存儲硬件是用來提供一種相對長久的形式存儲計算機指令和數據的手段，就是當斷電時，數據不會丟失，而且在須要處理時輕鬆地檢索出來。存儲硬件和辦公文檔系統發揮的做用幾乎同樣，差異在於存儲硬件將數據以電磁信號或激光蝕刻點的形式存放在磁盤或者磁帶上，而不是印在紙上。

Para 4 Processing Hardware

The purpose of processing hardware is to retrieve, interpret, and direct the execution of software instructions which are provided to the computer. The most common components of processing hardware are the central processing unit and main memory.

生詞：

interpret vt. 說明；口譯 vi. 解釋；翻譯

direct adj. 直接的；直系的；親身的；剛好的 vt. 管理；指揮；導演；指向 vi. 指導；指揮 adv. 直接地；正好；按直系關係

execution n. 執行，實行；完成；死刑

central adj. 中心的；主要的；中樞的 n. 電話總機

處理硬件的目的是檢索，解釋提供給計算機的軟件指令並指導這些指令的執行。處理硬件的常見部件是中央處理器和主存儲器。

Para 5

The central processing unit(CPU) is the brain of the computer. It reads and interprets software instructions and coordinates the processing activities that must take place. The design of the CPU affects the processing power and the speed of the computer, as well as the amount of main memory it can use effectively. With a well-designed CPU in your computer, you can perform highly sophisticated tasks in a very short time.

生詞：

coordinate vt. 調整；整合 vi. 協調

sophisticated adj. 複雜的；精緻的；久經世故的；富有經驗的

中央處理器（CPU）是計算機的大腦。它讀取和解釋軟件指令，而且協調必須執行的運算命令。CPU的設計影響了計算機的處理能力和處理速度，也會影響主存儲器的處理效率。假若有一個設計良好的CPU在你的計算機中，你能夠在短期內高效地完成複雜的任務。

Para 6

Main memory (also called internal memory, primary storage, or just memory) can be thought of as an electronic desktop. The more desk surface you have in front of you, the more you can place on it. Similarly, if your computer has a lot of memory, you can place more software instructions in it. The amount of memory available determines whether you can simple or sophisticated software; a computer with a large memory is more capable of holding the thousands of instructions that are contained in the more sophisticated software programs. A large memory also allows you to work with and manipulate great amounts of data and information at one time. Quite simply, the more main memory you have in your computer, the more you can accomplish.

生詞：

electronic adj. 電子的 n. 電子電路；電子器件

surface n. 表面；表層；外觀 adj. 表面的，膚淺的 vi. 浮出水面 vt. 使浮出水面；使成平面

determine v. （使）下決心，（使）作出決定 vt. 決定，肯定；斷定，判決；限定 vi. 肯定；決定；判決，終止；[主用於法律]告終，終止，結束

manipulate vt. 操縱；操做；巧妙地處理；篡改

主存儲器（也叫作內部存儲器，主存或者就是內存）能被認做是一個電子桌面。你前面的桌面越大，你能放置的東西就越多。相似的，假如你的計算機有很大的內存，你就能放置更多的軟件指令在裏邊。可供使用的內存總量決定你是否能使用簡單的或者複雜的軟件；內存大的計算機能容納複雜軟件程序中的數千條指令。大內存也容許你在同一時間使用和操縱大量的數據和信息。簡單地說，你的計算機的主存儲器越大，你能作的事越多。

Para 7 Output Hardware

The purpose o output hardware is to provide the user with the means to view information produced by the computer system. Information is output in either hardcopy or softcopy form. Hardcopy output can be held in your hand——examples are paper with text(words or numbers) or graphics printed on it. Softcopy output is displayed on a monitor, a television-like screen on which you can read text and graphics.

生詞：

hardcopy n.硬拷貝

softcopy n.軟拷貝

graphics adj. 形象的；圖表的；繪畫似的

輸出硬件的目的是爲了提供給用戶看見計算機系統處理過的信息的方法。信息輸出不是經過硬拷貝就是經過軟拷貝的形式。硬拷貝能被你親手拿着，如印有文本（文字或數字）或者圖像的紙張。軟拷貝僅在顯示器上顯示出來，顯示器就像電視機屏幕同樣，你能夠在這上面看到文本和圖像。