"On The Foundations of Computing is a technical, historical and conceptual investigation in the three main methodological approaches to the computational sciences: mathematical, engineering and experimental. The first part of the volume explores the background behind the formal understanding of computing, originating at the end of the XIX century, and it invesitagtes the formal origins and conceptual development of the notions of computation, algorithm and program. The second part of the volume overviews the construction of physical devices to perform automated tasks and it considers associated technical and conceptual issues. We start from the design and construction of the first generation of computing machines, explore their evolution and progress in engineering (for both hardware and software), and investigate their theoretical and conceptual problems. The third part of the volume analyses the methods and principles of experimental sciences founded on computational methods. We study the use of machines to perform scientific tasks, with particular reference to computer models and simulations. Each part aims at defining a notion of computational validity according to the corresponding methodological approach"--

This lively and fascinating text traces the key developments in computation – from 3000 B.C. to the present day – in an easy-to-follow and concise manner. Topics and features: ideal for self-study, offering many pedagogical features such as chapter-opening key topics, chapter introductions and summaries, exercises, and a glossary; presents detailed information on major figures in computing, such as Boole, Babbage, Shannon, Turing, Zuse and Von Neumann; reviews the history of software engineering and of programming languages, including syntax and semantics; discusses the progress of artificial intelligence, with extension to such key disciplines as philosophy, psychology, linguistics, neural networks and cybernetics; examines the impact on society of the introduction of the personal computer, the World Wide Web, and the development of mobile phone technology; follows the evolution of a number of major technology companies, including IBM, Microsoft and Apple.

This text gives a description of the fundamental mathematical concepts used by computer scientists, while also emphasizing the need for careful justification. It provides proofs of all the major results, and all the algorithms presented are developed carefully and their performance analyzed. Throughout, the aim is to provide a well-balanced treatment of both the discrete and continuous mathematics that should be studied by the serious student of computer science. The book should therefore be most suited to those undergraduate programmes that put the emphasis on such areas as programming language semantics, program correctness, and algorithm analysis and design.

This Companion offers a thorough, concise overview of the emerging field of humanities computing. Contains 37 original articles written by leaders in the field. Addresses the central concerns shared by those interested in the subject. Major sections focus on the experience of particular disciplines in applying computational methods to research problems; the basic principles of humanities computing; specific applications and methods; and production, dissemination and archiving. Accompanied by a website featuring supplementary materials, standard readings in the field and essays to be included in future editions of the Companion.

Foundations of Computer Technology is an easily accessible introduction to the architecture of computers and peripherals. This textbook clearly and completely explains modern computer systems through an approach that integrates components, systems, software, and design. It provides a succinct, systematic, and readable guide to computers, providing a springboard for students to pursue more detailed technology subjects. This volume focuses on hardware elements within a computer system and the impact of software on its architecture. It discusses practical aspects of computer organization (structure, behavior, and design) delivering the necessary fundamentals for electrical engineering and computer science students. The book not only lists a wide range of terms, but also explains the basic operations of components within a system, aided by many detailed illustrations. Material on modern technologies is combined with a historical perspective, delivering a range of articles on hardware, architecture and software, programming methodologies, and the nature of operating systems. It also includes a unified treatment on the entire computing spectrum, ranging from microcomputers to supercomputers. Each section features learning objectives and chapter outlines. Small glossary entries define technical terms and each chapter ends with an alphabetical list of key terms for reference and review. Review questions also appear at the end of each chapter and project questions inspire readers to research beyond the text. Short, annotated bibliographies direct students to additional useful reading.

This book offers an original and informative view of the development of fundamental concepts of computability theory. The treatment is put into historical context, emphasizing the motivation for ideas as well as their logical and formal development. In Part I the author introduces computability theory, with chapters on the foundational crisis of mathematics in the early twentieth century, and formalism. In Part II he explains classical computability theory, with chapters on the quest for formalization, the Turing Machine, and early successes such as defining incomputable problems, c.e. (computably enumerable) sets, and developing methods for proving incomputability. In Part III he explains relative computability, with chapters on computation with external help, degrees of unsolvability, the Turing hierarchy of unsolvability, the class of degrees of unsolvability, c.e. degrees and the priority method, and the arithmetical hierarchy. Finally, in the new Part IV the author revisits the computability (Church-Turing) thesis in greater detail. He offers a systematic and detailed account of its origins, evolution, and meaning, he describes more powerful, modern versions of the thesis, and he discusses recent speculative proposals for new computing paradigms such as hypercomputing. This is a gentle introduction from the origins of computability theory up to current research, and it will be of value as a textbook and guide for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and researchers in the domains of computability theory and theoretical computer science. This new edition is completely revised, with almost one hundred pages of new material. In particular the author applied more up-to-date, more consistent terminology, and he addressed some notational redundancies and minor errors. He developed a glossary relating to computability theory, expanded the bibliographic references with new entries, and added the new part described above and other new sections.

A New York Times-bestselling author explains how the physical world shaped the history of our species When we talk about human history, we often focus on great leaders, population forces, and decisive wars. But how has the earth itself determined our destiny? Our planet wobbles, driving changes in climate that forced the transition from nomadism to farming. Mountainous terrain led to the development of democracy in Greece. Atmospheric circulation patterns later on shaped the progression of global exploration, colonization, and trade. Even today, voting behavior in the south-east United States ultimately follows the underlying pattern of 75 million-year-old sediments from an ancient sea. Everywhere is the deep imprint of the planetary on the human. From the cultivation of the first crops to the founding of modern states, Origins reveals the breathtaking impact of the earth beneath our feet on the shape of our human civilizations.