Talk:Computation

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Archive: 1 (up to october 2005)

[edit] Cleanup

This definition is inappropriately restricted to the actions of a computer, rather than more traditional definitions of "computation". For comparison, consider the OED definition: "The action or process of computing, reckoning, or counting; a method or system of reckoning; arithmetical or mathematical calculation." That definition is probably copyrighted and, as such, wouldn't be allowed, but it is properly focused on mathematical evaluation rather than the actions of a computer over time.

In particular, a computation does not necessarily involve the evolution over time of any system; quantum computations may be instantaneous. --bmills 21:25, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

For what it's worth; I agree. —Ruud 22:03, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

What do you mean Quantum computation can be instantenous? Are you sure of that?--Powo 23:02, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

While a quantum computation can take multiple steps, you cannot observe its state during the computation. —Ruud 23:12, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

Quantum computations are not instantaneous; they are most definitely the evolution of a system over time. We may not be able to observe the system until the end of the computation, but that doesn't mean it isn't evolving during the computation. If there is a need for a separate article on more general aspects of computation, perhaps we should fork this into two articles: one on general aspects and one on the kinds of computation studied in computer science. - Gauge 00:21, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

I'd like to keep this article general, the formal computer science definition is already stated in theory of computation. —Ruud 00:30, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

I agree to keep this article general and informal. I would like to keep it focused on computations in the context of CS. From my experience, and in the context of CS, a computation is always the evolution over time of a system, or a mathematical model of such a system. I am interested in counter examples to my POV, but I follow user Gauge in being dubituous that quantum computations are such a counter example, as suggested by user bmills.--Powo 12:24, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] References

I would like to see the references for this article. Where did this text come from? — Dzonatas 20:15, 31 January 2006 (UTC)