Unconventional computing

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Unconventional computing is computing by a wide range of new and esoteric methods. It is also known as alternative computing. The different methods of uncoventional computing include optical computing, quantum computing, chemical computing, natural computing, biologically-inspired computing, DNA computing, molecular computing, amorphous computing, nanocomputing, and analogue computing.

These methods achieve computational operations without using silicon-based micro-transistors or other standard solid state computing technologies. These methods are currently mostly in the research and development stage.

Historically, mechanical computers have been used in industry before the advent of the transistor. Mechanical computers retain some interest today both in research and as analogue computers.

Some mechanical computers have only theoretical or didactical relevance, see billiard ball or hydraulic ones ^[1]. Domino computer is another theoretically interesting mechanic computing scheme.