计算机英语会话(MP3+中英字幕) 第7期:计算机硬件(3)

Notes注意事项It looks very much like a typewriter keyboard with rows of keys arranged in the typical typewriter layout,它看起来非常像一台打字机的键盘，上面配置着一排排典型打字机的按键，as well as a number of additional keys used to enter special computer-related codes.另外一些附加按键是用来输入与计算机有关的特殊代码，Although it isn't the only type of input device available ,the computer keyboard is the one most generaly used by the business community.尽管键盘不是唯一使用的输入装置，但迄今它仍是商务机构最常用的一种输入装置。The purpose of storage hardware is to provide a means of storing computer instructions and data in a form that is relatively permanent, or nonvolatile存储硬件的用途是为计算机指令和数据提供一定格式的存储方法，这种格式的存储方法比较持久或不易丢失That is ,the data is not lost when the power is turned off .（也就是说，当电源切断时，数据不至丢失）and easy to retrieve when needed for processing.而且在数据需要加工处理时同，也易于检索Storage hardware serves the same basic functions as do office filing systems.存储硬件的作用与办公室文档系统的作用相同，Except that it stores data as electromagnetic signals or laser-etched spots.但不同的是存储硬件所存放的数据是一些电磁信号，或者是一些激光蚀刻光点。commonly on disk or tape ,rather than on paper.而且一般均存储在磁盘或磁带上，而不是在纸上。

Professional Terms专业术语activity n.活动coordinate v.调整，协调effectively v.有效地，实际地internal a.内部的，内存的primary n.主要的，第一位的sophisticated a.复杂的，高级的，尖端的processing Hardware处理硬件The purpose of processing hardware is to retrieve, interpret and direct the execution of software instructions provided to the computer.处理硬件的用途在检索、解释为计算机提供的各种软件指令，并为这些指令的执行提供指导。The most common components of processing hardware are the central processing unit and main memory.最常见的处理硬件的部件是中央处理器和主存储器。The central processing unit( CPU) is the brain of the computer.中央处理器（CPU）是计算机的大脑。It reads and interprets software instructions and coordinates the processing activities that must take place.它可用来阅读解释各种软件指令，并协调所产生的各种处理活动。The design of the CPU affects the processing power and the speed of the computer.CPU的设法会影响到计算机的处理能力和速度，as well as the amount of main memory it can use effectively以及能否有效地利用主存储器的容量。With a well-designed CPU in your computer ,you can perform highly sophisticated tasks in a very short time.如果计算机有一个设计优良的CPU，那么你就能在极短的时间内，执行高度复杂的任务。Main memory (also called internal memory ,primary storage ,or just plain memory)主存储器（又称为内存、主存或简称存储器）can be thought of as an electronic desktop;可以被看成一个电子桌面。the more desk surface you have in front of the computer,同样，如果计算机存储器容量很大，The more software instructions in it.你就可以存储更多的软件指令。The amount of memory available determines whether you can run simple or sophisticated software.可使用的存储器容量的大小，将决定你能运行简单的软件或者是能运行复杂的软件；a computer with a large memory is more capable of holding the thousands of instructions that are contained in the more sophisticated software programs.一台拥有大容量存储器的计算机，就会有更大的能力，去存放更加复杂软件中的数千条指令。A large memory also allows you to work with and manipulate great amounts of data and information at one time.大容量存储器也使你能一次使用大量的数据和信息。Quite simply, the more main memory you have in your computer ,the more you can accomplish.十分简单，计算机的主存容量越大，你能完成的任务就越多。