The First Computer Programmer

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 377.

I. Read and translate the text.

Group_________________________

Name__________________________

A receipt – чек, квитанция

A branch – отделение, филиал

A credit note – ваучер на покупку

A refund – возврат (денег)

To wear out - изнашиваться

To be under guarantee – быть под гарантией

To leak - протекать

A waterproof jacket – водонепроницаемая куртка

To put smb through to.. – соединить с..

Receptionist: Hello, Great outdoors.

A Yes, please. It's about a waterproof jacket I bought last year.

B Thank you for your help.

C Could you put me through to Customer Services, please?

D I washed it according to the instructions on the label and now it's leaking.

E I bought it in your branch but I don't live in the area. Can I return it to my local branch?

F I realize it's no longer under guarantee but I don't think a quality item should wear out so quickly.

1 And what seems to be the problem?

2 Yes, that's no problem at all, just as long as you've kept the receipt.

3 Thank you. Goodbye.

4 Customer Services, can I help you?

5 How long have you had it?

6 Well, you'll need to bring it into the branch so that we can have a look at it, and give you a credit note or a refund.

Ada Lovelace was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron. She was taught by Mary Somerville, a well-known researcher and scientific author, who introduced her to Charles Babbage in June 1833. Babbage was an English mathematician, who first had the idea for a programmable computer.

In 1842 and 1843, Ada translated the work of an Italian mathematician, Luigi Menabrea, on Babbage's Analytical Engine. Though mechanical, this machine was an important step in the history of computers; it was the design of a mechanical general-purpose computer. Babbage worked on it for many years until his death in 1871. However, because of financial, political, and legal issues, the engine was never built. The design of the machine was very modern; it anticipated the first completed general-purpose computers by about 100 years.

When Ada translated the article, she added a set of notes which specified in complete detail a method for calculating certain numbers with the Analytical Engine, which have since been recognized by historians as the world's first computer program. She also saw possibilities in it that Babbage hadn't: she realized that the machine could compose pieces of music. The computer programming language 'Ada', used in some aviation and military programs, is named after her.

II. Decide whether the statements given below are true (T) or False (F).

1. Ada Lovelace's teacher introduced her to Charles Babbage.

2. Babbage programmed the first computer.

3. Ada translated the article in 1842.

4. The Analytical Engine was electronic.

5. Luigi Menabrea designed the first computer.

6. Babbage finished the machine before he died.

7. Babbage's design was ahead of its time.

8. Ada's work was instantly recognised as being the first computer program.

9. Babbage saw that his machine could write music.

10. Ada wrote military and aviation computer programs.