Von Neumann machines. The key to space and much else. 2428

: 10", : bipedal and and : general : Neumann : : : Von Neumann machines are replicating machines. You are thinking of : Von : : Neumann architecture computers (memory space used for both code and : : data.) : : : Same guy, two different ideas. Like the difference between a Turing : : machine and a Turing test. : : Not according to wikipedia: : The Turing Machine is an abstract machine introduced in 1936 by Alan : Turing to give a mathematically precise definition of algorithm or : 'mechanical procedure'. The concept is still widely used in theoretical : computer science, especially in complexity theory and the theory of : computation. : A von Neumann machine is a model created by John von Neumann for a : computing machine that uses a single storage structure to hold both the : set of instructions on how to perform the computation and the data : required or generated by the computation. Most modern computers use this : von Neumann architecture. Computers using this architecture are said to : be "von Neumann machines." Couldn't Von Neumann be credited with creating "objects", in a very basic sense, from the object-oriented paradigm? What is an object if not an enbreasty that encapsulates the data and its buttociated code? : John von Neumann (Neumann J‡nos) (December 28, 1903 Ð February 8, 1957) : was a Hungarian-born mathematician who made important contributions in : quantum physics, functional analysis, set theory, computer science, : economics and many other mathematical fields. : J‡nos von NeumannÑJ‡nos was anglicised to John after he took up : residence in the United States in the 1930s. : Alan Mathison Turing (June 23, 1912 Ð June 7, 1954) was a British : mathematician, logician, and cryptographer. : Turing is often considered to be a father of modern computer science. : Same meat, different gravy. Both were pioneers in the field, and as a computer science major in college, I recall both were studied in great detail. Eric : Androcles.

I'm only quoting wackypedia. I certainly was required to study Turing, his work was invaluable in cracking the German "Enigma" code of WW II. John von Neumann I read about in a popular magazine. There is a certain amount of parochial envy displayed by the USA in having to have the best brains on their team, and the greatest achievements. Don't misunderstand me, I'm not putting down the USA, they have made some great achievements and had some great scientists, but they can't be the best at everything. They will soon fall behind as they allow more and more socialism into their society. The REAL father (or grandfather I suppose) of computing (I won't say science, it's a technology, not a study of Nature) was George Boole, you won't get far without Boolean algebra. Charles Babbage built fantastic differential engines, the forerunner of the analogue computer.

Androcles