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PART 2

Task 1. Learn the following words and word combinations:
Pipeline, anti-lock brakes, predictable, metrics, application domain,
IO, benchmarking, split, handle, smoothly, furthermore, be traded
for, recent, embedded computing, remain.

Task 2. Create your own sentences using the above mentioned
words and phrases.

TEXT 2
MEASUREMENT OF COMPUTER PERFORMANCE
Performance is affected by a very wide range of design choices
— for example, pipelining a processor usually makes latency worse
(slower) but makes throughput better. Computers that control
machinery usually need low interrupt latencies. These computers
operate in a real-time environment and fail if an operation is not
completed in a specified amount of time. For example, computer-
controlled anti-lock brakes must begin braking within a predictable,
short time after the brake pedal is sensed.
The performance of a computer can be measured using other
metrics, depending upon its application domain. A system may be
CPU bound (as in numerical calculation), I/O bound (as in a
webserving application) or memory bound (as in video editing).
Power consumption has become important in servers and portable
devices like laptops.
Benchmarking tries to take all these factors into account by
measuring the time a computer takes to run through a series of test
programs. Although benchmarking shows strengths, it may not help
one to choose a computer. Often the measured machines split on
different measures. For example, one system might handle scientific
applications quickly, while another might play popular video games
more smoothly. Furthermore, designers may add special features to

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