Programming 44 Programming languages Programming is the process of weiting a program using a computer language. A program is a set of instructions which a computer uses to doa specific task (e.g. a solution ro a Maths problem} Tp neue (Pascal, C, Java} The only language a PC can directly execute is machine eode, which consists of Is ancl 0s. This language is difficult to write, so we use symbolic languages that are easier to understand. For example, assembly languages use abbreviations such as ADD, SUB, MPY to ; - reptesent instructions. The program is then translated into machine |_ Machine code code by software called an assembler. Hardware Machine code and assembly languages arc called low-level languages a because they are closer to the hardware. High-level languages, however, are closer to human languages; they use forms resembling, English, which makes programming easier. The program is translated into machine code by software called a compiler. Some examples are: @ FORTRAN - used for scientific and mathematical applications. @ COBOL ~ popular for business applications we BASIC — used as a teaching language; Visual BASIC is now used to create Windows applications mC ~used to write system software, graphics and commercial programs am Java — designed to run on the Weh; Java applets are small programs thar run automarically on web pages and ler you watch animated characcers, and play musie and games. The languages used to create Webs documents are called markup languages; they use instructions (markups) to format and link text files. Examples are: HTML - the code nsed to create Web pages @ VoiceXML — it makes Internet content accessible via speech recognition and phone. Instead of using a web browser on a PC, you use a telephone to access voice-equipped websites. You just dial the phone mamber of the website and then give spoken instructions, commands, and get the required information Steps in writing a program ~~ se roucvar To write a program, software developers usually fellow feexsieviiJ © calculate these steps. — ineame tax @ First they try to understand the problem and define the — Yes purpose of the program. iss SIS, [Rrcenoe” | <20000? > wm They design a fowchart, a diagram which shows the 7 successive logical steps of the program. Ne @ Next they write the instructions in a high-level language Jes SS é < 220000 & (Pascal, C, ere.). This is called coding. The program is then compiled. 3000? fi, When che progeam is writen, they test it: they ean the progeam to see if it works and use special tools ro detect bugs, or errors. Any errors lore a are corrected until it runs smoothly, This is called debugging, or bug fixing. sncenie te T={S'P} | 100 @ Finally, software companies write a detailed description of how the program works, called program documentation. They also have a maintenance program. They get reports from users about any errors found in the nie program. After it has been improved, itis published as an updated version. 0" End Professioniai English in Use ICT7A Pe March the terms from A opposite with their definitions, programming machine code abasic language which consists of binary codes b programming language such as C, Java or Visual BASIC assembly language © writing computer programs high-level language d low-level language translated into machine code by an assembler Java applet € software which converts a source program into machine code compiler language used to create and format documents for the Web markup language —g small self-contained program written in Java Mouwnone Look at B and then pur these programming steps into the correct order. = [Document and maintain the program Test the program and detect | bugs | Make flowchart Janae tre problem . . ae 7.3. Complete this article about the VoiceXML. application language with the words from the box HTML dial VoiceXML commands speech recognition Internet: Voice recognition takes off ‘You don’t need a sophisticated cell phone to sutf the Intemet when you're on the road ~ just your own voice. That's the idea behind new breed of voice service that is popping up all over the place Subscribers (1) smssmnnnnnn 8 tollfiee phone number and use spoken (2 to listen 1 anything from weather conditions to stock quotes, or fight information to news stories. Half a dozen of these services ~ such us Audiopoint, BeVocal, TellMe and elSurf Networks ~ have already gone live or are testing their systems. These launches are all happening because two crucial technologies have come of age. 6). sofware from companies such as Lucent, Nuance and Speecliworks can now understand a wide range of accents and diction without having to be wained 0 a specific voice. And computer languages such as VoiceXML make it as easy to write voice services as (4) has made it to write web pages. With (5) the human voice becomes a substitute for 8 computer n youse and che spoken command for a click. It doesn, however, call up conventional web pages, but content which is specielly composed for a telephone sound clips, numbers, music, spoken rests The Economist ional English in . Cea eR ots activity Computer languages. Tc a ree include maint) ae a PO | cece) a D [printi(“hello, world\n")| F rae Pa Professional English in Use ICT 45