Computing: A Historical and Technical Perspective (Paperback)

Exploring a vast array of topics related to computation, Computing: A Historical and Technical Perspective covers the historical and technical foundation of ancient and modern-day computing. The book starts with the earliest references to counting by humans, introduces various number systems, and discusses mathematics in early civilizations. It guides readers all the way through the latest advances in computer science, such as the design and analysis of computer algorithms.

Through historical accounts, brief technical explanations, and examples, the book answers a host of questions, including:

• Why do humans count differently from the way current electronic computers do?
• Why are there 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour, etc.?
• Who invented numbers, when were they invented, and why are there different kinds?
• How do secret writings and cryptography date back to ancient civilizations?

Innumerable individuals from many cultures have contributed their talents and creativity to formulate what has become our mathematical and computing heritage. By bringing together the historical and technical aspects of computing, this book enables readers to gain a deep appreciation of the long evolutionary processes of the field developed over thousands of years. Suitable as a supplement in undergraduate courses, it provides a self-contained historical reference source for anyone interested in this important and evolving field.

《計算：歷史與技術觀點》涵蓋了與計算相關的廣泛主題，從古代到現代的計算歷史和技術基礎。本書從人類最早的計數方法開始，介紹了各種數字系統，並討論了早期文明中的數學。它引導讀者深入了解計算機科學的最新進展，例如計算機算法的設計和分析。

通過歷史記述、簡要的技術解釋和例子，本書回答了許多問題，包括：
- 為什麼人類的計數方式與現代電子計算機不同？
- 為什麼一天有24小時，一小時有60分鐘等等？
- 誰發明了數字，它們是何時發明的，為什麼有不同種類的數字？
- 古代文明如何與密碼學和秘密書寫有關？

來自許多文化的無數個體為我們的數學和計算遺產做出了貢獻。通過將計算的歷史和技術方面結合在一起，本書使讀者能夠深刻理解這個領域在數千年間的漫長演化過程。本書適合作為本科課程的補充教材，也為對這一重要且不斷發展的領域感興趣的任何人提供了一個獨立的歷史參考資料來源。