Lisp as the Language for an Incremental Computer (Classic Reprint)

Lionello A. Lombardi, Bertram Raphael

ISBN 10: 1334018243 / ISBN 13: 9781334018244

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book explores the limitations of traditional computer systems, built on the principles of Turing and von Neumann, and proposes a revolutionary new approach to computation. The author argues that conventional computing models are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of real-world information processes, particularly those that involve ongoing evolution and unpredictable change. Instead, they advocate for an ââ Å"incremental computerââ  that operates on a fundamentally different philosophy. This new model emphasizes the continuous assimilation of information, where procedures are dynamically determined rather than pre-programmed, allowing computers to adapt to changing environments and interact more naturally with human users. The author draws on the power of LISP, a flexible and expressive computer language, to illustrate the concepts underlying this incremental approach. The book delves into the key features of this novel computational paradigm, including the handling of omitted and indefinite arguments, the management of conflicting variable names, and the implementation of sophisticated threshold conditions. These features enable the incremental computer to navigate uncertainty and incompleteness in a way that traditional systems cannot. Through detailed explanations and illustrative examples, the book provides a compelling vision of a future where computers become more than mere tools for executing predetermined instructions, evolving instead into dynamic partners in human thought and problem-solving. The insights presented in this book offer a fresh perspective on the potential of computing to address complex, ever-changing problems and unlock new possibilities for human-computer interaction. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. Seller Inventory # 9781334018244_0

Bibliographic Details

Title: Lisp as the Language for an Incremental ...

Publisher: Forgotten Books

Publication Date: 2018

Binding: Paperback

Condition: New

Book Type: print-on-demand item

About this title

Synopsis:

Excerpt from Lisp as the Language for an Incremental Computer<br/><br/>Most present day information systems are designed along ideas proposed by Turing' and von Neumann. The intent of those authors was to automate the execution of procedures, once the procedures were completely determined. Their basic contributions were the/concepts of executable instructions, program and stored program computer. Information systems based on this conventional philosophy of computation handle effectively only an information process which 1) is selfmcontained, in the sense that its data have a completely predetermined structure, and 2) can be reduced to an algorithm in 'final form, after which no changes can be accomodataibut those for which provision was made in advance. Consequently, the current role of automatic information systems in defense, business and research is mainly confined to simple routine functions such as data reduction, accounting.and lengthy arithmetic computations. Such systems cannot act as evolutionary extensions of human minds in complex, changing environments.