DEFINING AND CLASSIFYING PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR COMPUTER

 

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR COMPUTER 37.DEFINING AND CLASSIFYING

 

A Describing function We define an object by describing its function and properties. for example, we can define a ‘router’ like this A router is a device used to transmit data between two computers and networks.   There are other ways of describing its functions: • for + ing  (for transmitting) • relative pronoun + verb (which/ that transmits) • relative pronoun + is used + to + infinitive (which/ that is used to transmit) B Classifying from general to specific ‘Classifying’ means putting things into groups or classes. We can classify types of music, parts of computer, classes of software, etc. Typical expressions Examples classifying storage media ….are classified into X categories …..can be divided into X types Storage media are often classified into three categories magnetic, optical and flash memory C Classifying from specific to general We can also classify from the specific to the more general. We can say, for example, that ‘a word processor (specific) is a type of software (general). EXERCISES 37.1 ‘Look at A opposite. Match the two halves to make correct definitions. 1 A web browser is a program a where emails are kept when they are received. 2 A host is a computer b used for displaying web pages. 37.2 Correct the underlined errors in these definitions. Use who, that, which or where. 1. Mobile TV Broadcasting is a system who lets you watch TV on a PDA or mobile phone. 2. A computer geek is someone which is an enthusiastic used of computers, sometimes to an obsessive degree. 37.3 Look at B and C opposite. Underline all the classifying expressions in this text. 37.4 Complete the sentences with a classifying expression from the box. there are two types of ……. ……. Is composed of ……. Is a type of ……. Are made up of there are four main classes of  …….   1. __________________ microchips: (i) microprocessors, used as CPUs in computers, (ii) memory chips, used to store data, (iii) digital signal processors, used in mobiles and digital TVs, and (iv) application-specific integrated circuits, used in cars and appliances.

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