Talk:Computational mathematics

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[edit] Copied from Talk:Applied_mathematics

I have split off all that NSF stuff that User:JJL edited out into a separate article, and added some explanations there. Computational mathematics deserves a separate article anyway, I just did not think it would be so soon. Jmath666 05:04, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

I recall that was some kind of NSF panel report in early 80s that justified the existence of computational mathematics and I think gave it the name. Much like DDDAS and I think high performance computing. If I track it down I'll add it to references. Jmath666 05:10, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Hey - this happened to resolve a full page of red links... Jmath666 05:36, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Need for this article

This article reads like computational science buzzword bingo. I don't believe this is a separate field but rather a different name for what is now usually called computational science. I suggest redirecting it there and editing that article to mention that, indeed, computational science as a named academic program often has an emphasis on the applications to science. Noting that there are SIAM journals of Num. Analysis and of Sci. Comp., I don't see the need for an entry for a variant term used by a few academic institutions and NSF programs. JJL 03:13, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

Well, I did not make those buzzwords. The various groups competing for a place in the sun over time did. Each group came up with a variation to look fresh and new. I do not like the buzzwords any more than you do, yet we should report them. Computational mathematics is different in that it is the mathematics of computational science (or any of the other buzzwords). At least there are references to support what is in the article, regardless if we like it or not. Regarding the role of NSF and the other agencies, they pay the bills. The existence of an NSF program for a field is a de-facto recognition that it exists.
The group qualified to reach a consensus is Wikipedia:WikiProject Mathematics so please let us continue at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Mathematics#Computational mathematics. Jmath666 03:48, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Origins of the term Computational mathematics

I have marked the origin by early 1950s with {{Fact}}. I also think it is something like that - or sometime between 1950 and 1980 - but I'd like to have a reference. Jmath666 04:41, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

I took that line to refer less to the origin of the term than to the modern field which I'll place with James H. Wilkinson etc. The term is both far older and in other ways newer. Computational science I'd place more to the 80s, personally. JJL 13:12, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

I agree. Just how to document this by sources. Jmath666 15:38, 4 April 2007 (UTC)

Right now this article mostly argues about what, if anything, the term means. JJL 00:52, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

What do you expect after a discussion about just that and corresponding changes. Anyway, this made me do some research - not what someone thinks but based on actual documented sources - please look at User:Jmath666/Scientific computation this is very rough and the sources are not cited there yet; see Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Mathematics#Computational mathematics for them and further details. Feel free to edit there too. Jmath666 02:37, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

No further help seems likely to come from the WikiProject. JJL 21:06, 5 April 2007 (UTC)

Some responded by adding edits with more information. There is certainly a community of mathematicians that identifies itself with computational mathematics, which that article documents well, along with some history. I personally consider the term CM awkward and you do not seem to like its very existence. That does not change the fact that it exists and there is no reason to remove valid information. Jmath666 00:16, 6 April 2007 (UTC)