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Jump to navigationJump to searchNew page: '''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 thi...
'''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.
=== Classes of computation ===
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]].
In practice, digital computation is often used to simulate natural processes (for example,
[[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.
=== Computations as a physical phenomenon ===
A computation can be seen as a purely physical phenomenon occurring inside a closed [[physical system]] called a [[computer]].
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.
This point of view is the one adopted by the branch of theoretical physics called the [[physics of computation]].
An even more drastic point of view is the postulate of [[digital physics]] that the evolution of the universe itself is a computation.
=== Mathematical models of computation ===
In the [[theory of computation]], mathematical models of computers are defined. A computation is the evolution over discrete time epochs of this model.
Typical mathematical models of computers are the following:
* [[Turing Machine]]
* [[push-down automaton]]
* [[Finite state automaton]]
Different mathematical models of computers can be classified according to their expressive power, see the [[Chomsky hierarchy]].
== History ==
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]].
== See also ==
* [[Computing]]
* [[Physical information]]
* [[Real computation]]
* [[Reversible computation]]
* [[Theory of computation]]
* [[Physics of computation]]
* [[Hypercomputation]]
[[Category: General Reference]]
=== Classes of computation ===
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]].
In practice, digital computation is often used to simulate natural processes (for example,
[[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.
=== Computations as a physical phenomenon ===
A computation can be seen as a purely physical phenomenon occurring inside a closed [[physical system]] called a [[computer]].
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.
This point of view is the one adopted by the branch of theoretical physics called the [[physics of computation]].
An even more drastic point of view is the postulate of [[digital physics]] that the evolution of the universe itself is a computation.
=== Mathematical models of computation ===
In the [[theory of computation]], mathematical models of computers are defined. A computation is the evolution over discrete time epochs of this model.
Typical mathematical models of computers are the following:
* [[Turing Machine]]
* [[push-down automaton]]
* [[Finite state automaton]]
Different mathematical models of computers can be classified according to their expressive power, see the [[Chomsky hierarchy]].
== History ==
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]].
== See also ==
* [[Computing]]
* [[Physical information]]
* [[Real computation]]
* [[Reversible computation]]
* [[Theory of computation]]
* [[Physics of computation]]
* [[Hypercomputation]]
[[Category: General Reference]]
