Programming languages (A)

Machine code and assembly languages are called low-level languages 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

● BASIC - used as a teaching language; Visual BASIC is now used to create Windows applications

● C - used to write system software, graphics and commercial programs

● Java - designed to run on the Web; Java applets are small programs that run automatically on web pages and let you watch animated characters, and play music and games.

The languages used to create Web documents are called markup languages; they use instructions (markups) to format and link text files. Examples are:

● HTML - the code used 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 number of the website and then give spoken instructions, commands, and get the required information.

2. Match the terms from A opposite with their definitions.

1. Programming a) basic language which consists of binary codes

2.machine code b) programming language such as C, Java or Visual BASIC

3.assembly language c) writing computer programs

4.high-level language d) low-level language translated into machine code by an assembler

5.Java applet e) software which converts a source program into machine code

6.compiler f) language used to create and format documents for the Web

7.markup language g) small self-contained program written in Java

Internet: Voice recognition takes off

You don't need a sophisticated cell phone to surf the Internet when you're on the road - just your own voice. That's the idea behind a new breed of voice service that is popping up all over the place.

Subribers (1)……………………………………….a toll-free phone number and use spoken (2)....................................................................... to listen

to anything from weather conditions to stock quotes, or flight information to news stories. Half a dozen of these services - such as Audiopoint, BeVocal, TellMe and TelSurf Networks - have already gone live or are testing their systems.

These launches are all happening because two crucial technologies have come of age.

(3)…………………………..software from companies such as Lucent, Nuance and

Speechworks can now understand a wide range of accents and diction without having to be trained to 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 a computer mouse and the spoken command for a click. It doesn't, however, call up conventional web pages, but content which is specially composed for a telephone: sound clips, numbers, music, spoken texts.

The Economist