Difference between revisions of "Computation"

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[[Image:Biophysics_of_computation_2.jpg|right|frame|<center>ISBN 0-19-510491-9</center>]]
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'''Computation''' is a general term for any type of [[information processing]] that can be represented mathematically. This includes phenomena ranging from simple calculations to human thinking. In a more narrow meaning, computation is a process following a well defined [[Model (abstract)|model]] that is understood and can be expressed in an [[algorithm]], [[Protocol (computing)|protocol]], [[network topology]], etc.
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==Origin==
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from French ''computer'' or [[Latin]] ''computare'', from ''com''- ‘[[together]]’ + ''putare'' ‘to settle (an account).
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_century 15th Century]
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==Definitions==
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*1a :  the act or [[action]] of computing :  [[calculation]]
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:b :  the use or operation of a [[computer]]
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*2:  a system of [[Accounting|reckoning]]
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==Description==
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'''Computation''' is any type of calculation or use of computing [[technology]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_processing information processing]. Computation is a [[process]] following a well-defined [[model]] understood and [[expressed]] as, for example, an [[algorithm]], or a protocol. Computation can be [[classified]] by mainly three unique criteria: digital versus analog, sequential versus parallel versus concurrent, batch versus interactive.
  
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=== Classes of computation ===
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In [[practice]], digital computation aids [[simulation]] of natural processes (for example, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_computation evolutionary computation]), including those that are naturally described by analog models of computation (for example, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_neural_network artificial neural network]). Otherwise, calculation is a term for the computation of [[numbers]], while computation is a wider reaching term for [[information]] processing in general.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computation]
  
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Computation can be classified by at least three orthogonal criteria: [[digital]] vs [[analog electronics|analog]], [[sequential]] vs [[parallel computation|parallel]], [[batch processing|batch]] vs [[interactive computation|interactive]].
 
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In practice, digital computation is often used to simulate natural processes (for example,
 
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[[Evolutionary computation]]), including those that are more naturally described by analog models of computation (for example, [[Artificial neural network]]). In this situation, it is important to distinguish between the mechanism of computation and the simulated model.
 
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=== Computations as a physical phenomenon ===
 
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A computation can be seen as a purely physical phenomenon occurring inside a closed [[physical system]] called a [[computer]].
 
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Examples of such physical systems include [[digital computer]]s, [[quantum computer]]s, [[DNA computer]]s, [[molecular computer]]s, [[analog computer]]s or [[wetware computer]]s.
 
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This point of view is the one adopted by the branch of theoretical physics called the [[physics of computation]].
 
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An even more drastic point of view is the postulate of [[digital physics]] that the evolution of the universe itself is a computation.
 
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=== Mathematical models of computation ===
 
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In the [[theory of computation]], mathematical models of computers are defined. A computation is the evolution over discrete time epochs of this model.
 
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Typical mathematical models of computers are the following:
 
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* [[Turing Machine]]
 
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* [[push-down automaton]]
 
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* [[Finite state automaton]]
 
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Different mathematical models of computers can be classified according to their expressive power, see the [[Chomsky hierarchy]].
 
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== History ==
 
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The word computation has an archaic meaning (from its [[Latin language|Latin]] etymological roots), but the word has come back in use with the arising of a new scientific discipline: [[computer science]].
 
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== See also ==
 
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* [[Computing]]
 
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* [[Physical information]]
 
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* [[Real computation]]
 
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* [[Reversible computation]]
 
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* [[Theory of computation]]
 
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* [[Physics of computation]]
 
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* [[Hypercomputation]]
 
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[[Category: General Reference]]
 
 
[[Category: Computer Science]]
 
[[Category: Computer Science]]

Revision as of 17:37, 9 June 2014

Lighterstill.jpg

Biophysics of computation version 2.jpg

Origin

from French computer or Latin computare, from com- ‘together’ + putare ‘to settle (an account).

Definitions

b : the use or operation of a computer

Description

Computation is any type of calculation or use of computing technology in information processing. Computation is a process following a well-defined model understood and expressed as, for example, an algorithm, or a protocol. Computation can be classified by mainly three unique criteria: digital versus analog, sequential versus parallel versus concurrent, batch versus interactive.

In practice, digital computation aids simulation of natural processes (for example, evolutionary computation), including those that are naturally described by analog models of computation (for example, artificial neural network). Otherwise, calculation is a term for the computation of numbers, while computation is a wider reaching term for information processing in general.[1]

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