It Began with Babbage: The Genesis of Computer Science - Rilegato

Dasgupta, Subrata

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0199309418 ISBN 13: 9780199309412

Casa editrice: OUP USA, 2014

Riassunto

As a field, computer science occupies a unique scientific space, in that its subject matter can exist in both physical and abstract realms. An artifact such as software is both tangible and not, and must be classified as something in between, or "liminal." The study and production of liminal artifacts allows for creative possibilities that are, and have been, possible only in computer science.
In It Began With Babbage, Subrata Dasgupta examines the unique history of computer science in terms of its creative innovations, spanning back to Charles Babbage in 1819. Since all artifacts of computer science are conceived with a use in mind, the computer scientist is not concerned with the natural laws that govern disciplines like physics or chemistry; the computer scientist is more concerned with the concept of purpose. This requirement lends itself to a type of creative thinking that, as Dasgupta shows us, has exhibited itself throughout the history of computer science. From Babbage's Difference Engine, through the Second World War, to the establishment of the term "Computer Science" in 1956, It Began With Babbage traces a lively and complete history of computer science.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

The author handles questions of primacy particularly well, giving fair assessments of where concepts were developed before their time, where ideas developed independently, and where cross-fertilization occured. Highly recommended. (Choice)

L'autore:

Subrata Dasgupta holds a Ph.D in computer science from the University of Alberta. He is a scholar, writer, and professor whose work focuses on the nature of creativity across a variety of fields, most notably computer science. He is the author of fourteen books, including Technology and Creativity (OUP USA , 1996)

Su questa edizione

• Editore: OUP USA
• Data di pubblicazione: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0199309418
• ISBN 13: 9780199309412
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 344