Synopses & Reviews
Computer science is no longer just a technology--for nearly all of us, it has become a way of life. Whether we spend our days surfing the Internet, or merely use an automatic teller machine on occasion, computers have affected our lives. This collection of sixteen original essays by distinguished computer scientists celebrates the achievements of computer science research, and speculates about the unsolved problems in the field. Various essays address artificial intelligence, parallel programming, global information systems, and a host of other relevant topics. The book shows that long-term research in computer science is crucial and must not be driven solely by commercial considerations. The authors expose the difficult aspects of their topics in clear terms, and illustrate that computer science is now a full-fledged and growing intellectual discipline.
Review
"...a refreshing introduction to alternative perspectives....Most of the contributions were both informative and entertaining." Gregory V. Wilson, Dr. Dobb's Journal
Synopsis
Collection of original essays dealing with the future of computer science as a research subject.
Synopsis
This collection of original essays by distinguished computer scientists celebrates the achievements of research and speculates about the unsolved problems in computer science which require future investigation. Since the subject stretches from new technology in the field, through engineering design to foundations in mathematics, there is a wide variety of concerns and approaches among the authors. It will be stimulating reading because it represents the views of prominent authorities who have had a significant impact on the direction of innovation, research and development in computer science.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 336-367) and index.
Table of Contents
Introduction Ian Wand and Robin Milner; 1. The complexity of algorithms M. D. Atkinson; 2. Building novel software: the researcher and the market-place P. J. Brown; 3. Prospects for artificial intelligence Alan Bundy; 4. Structured parallel programming: theory meets practice John Darlington, Yi-ke Guo and Hing Wing To; 5. Computer science and mathematics J. H. Davenport; 6. Paradigm merger in natural language processing Gerald Gazdar; 7. Large databases and knowledge reuse P. M. D. Gray; 8. The global-yet-personal information system J. R. Gurd and C. B. Jones; 9. Algebra and models C. A. R. Hoare; 10. Real-time computing Mathai Joseph; 11. Evaluation of software dependability Bev Littlewood; 12. Engineering safety-critical systems John A. McDermid; 13. Semantic ideas in computing Robin Milner; 14. Computers and communications R. M. Needham; 15. The place of interactive computing in tomorrow's computer science William Newman; 16. On the importance of being the right size: the challenge of conducting realistic experiments Simon Peyton Jones; Bibliography; Index.