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Sure, let’s consult Wikipedia: “A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automat
by alxmng 4y ago
Sure, let’s consult Wikipedia:
“A computer is a machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations (computation) automatically”
“Computation is any type of arithmetic or non-arithmetic calculation that follows a well-defined model (e.g., an algorithm)” AKA a program.
So computation is executing a program. And computers are machines which execute programs.
Turing and the Church-Turing thesis define computability as whether something can be expressed as a program (an algorithm).
So computer science is about programming. The science of programming, programs, and the machines that run them.
- arethuza 4y agoAnalogue computers can handle certain classes of problems very nicely and they don't follow "sequences of arithmetic or logical operations"?
- alxmng 4y agoYes, analog computers are very interesting. Though they typically do include arithmetic operations. They were often programmed with patch bays and the program is the patch bay configuration. So the programming was still discrete.
- dcow 4y agoWikipedia is literally telling you there’s a difference between the abstract study of the logic that underpins how we approach designing and programming computers, and the actual tools and processes used to do so, and you’re just ignoring it. IDK how else to help you. Nobody is arguing that computers don't compute. Why are you stuck on that minutia?