What is the first computer?

From: William Donzelli <william_at_ans.net>
Date: Wed Jun 17 21:08:03 1998

> You've never had a marginal timing problem, or a pattern-related data
> problem? I am suprised.

Well, not exactly the point I was trying to get across...

Digital computers work or they do not. Sure, there are things like
intermittent timing problems, but when the fault doesn't exist, the
problem doesn't exist. When the timing problem is there, the circuit does
not work. It may flap every second, but its discrete.

An analog (mechanical or electronic) machine might be broken, but still
function with no apparent bad output. Calibration could go off, or
hysteresis might start acting up. Analog machines operate with acceptable
tolerances and slops*, and are accounted for during normal operation
and maintenance. These issues do not show up in digital machines.

* I suppose the closest one could come to "slop" in digital electronics is
in floating point units, and maybe performance of networks.

William Donzelli
william_at_ans.net

 
Received on Wed Jun 17 1998 - 21:08:03 BST