The Science of Computing

Over the last 50 years computing technologies have forever changed the way we learn, work, and most recently, how we live. This book provides a conceptual overview of the scientific concepts and ideas underlying computing. Written for the lay reader, the book begins with the monoliths of Stonehenge, calculators like the abacus and the Pascaline, The Babbage Analytical and Difference Engines, the pioneering tube-based computers, the personal computer, and finally cell phones and tablets. Topics covered include algorithms, programming languages, operating systems, processors, computer architecture, and many others. The entire third section of the book concerns future directions of many of these topics. Throughout, the emphasis of the exposition is on the science and mathematics on which modern computing technologies are based.