On Wed, 19 Nov 2003, William R. Buckley wrote:
> > > "Now we finally know what a computer is. Those expensive boxes of
> > > electronics sold as computers are only approximations to the real McCoy.
> > > For one thing, they almost never come with an infinite memory
> > like a true
> > > TM."
> >
> > William, you are completely contradicting yourself at this point. You
> > started out asserting that all computers are Turning machines, then you
> > quoted the source above which is saying that they really aren't, and
> > implying exactly what Tony Duell said a few messages ago, which is that
> > they aren't because they don't have infinite memory.
> >
>
> I did not contradict myself. I admit fully that the ideal TM has
> infinite memory. I also note that typical, contemporary computers are
> not exactly a TM. Yet, they are computationally equivalent, and if you
> do not understand that point, then you do not understand the foundations
> of computer science.
Yes, you are, since you first asserted that all computers are Turning
Machines.
First of all, a Turing "Machine" is conceptually just a program itself,
and if one looks at it that way then it is really just an algorithm.
Computers are capable of implementing a "Turning Machine", and Turing
Machines are capable of approximating what today we call a computer, but
to say all computers are just Turing Machines is disingenuous and
intellectually dishonest.
> Also, you must like the verbage, as you seem compelled to comment.
I am compelled to comment because the verbage is lame.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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Received on Sat Nov 22 2003 - 12:07:22 GMT