The Human Face of Computing

Computation is ubiquitous: modern life would be inconceivable without it.

Written as a series of conversations with influential computer scientists, mathematicians and physicists, this book provides access to the inner thinking of those who have made essential contributions to the development of computing and its applications. You will learn about the interviewees’ education, career path, influences, methods of work, how they cope with failure and success, how they relax, how they see the future, and much more.

The conversations are presented in jargon-free language suitable for a general audience, but with enough technical detail for more specialized readers. The aim of the book is not only to inform and entertain, but also to motivate and stimulate.

Readership: Readers and specialists with a background in computer science interested in the lives and motivations of eminent computer scientists.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Computing Science
Chapter 1. Dines Børner: Formal Methods
Chapter 2. Erol Gelenbe: Computer System and Network Performance Analysis
Chapter 3. David Harel: From Theoretical Computer Science to Behavioural Programming, Biology and Smell
Chapter 4. Juris Hartmanis: Computational Complexity
Chapter 5. Kurt Mehlhorn: From Theory to Library of Efficient Data Types and Algorithms (LEDA) and Algorithm Engineering
Chapter 6. Arto Salomaa: Theoretical Computer Science
Chapter 7. Joseph Sifakis: Concurrent Systems Specification and Verification
Chapter 8. Joseph F. Traub: Information-Based Complexity
Chapter 9. Ian H. Witten: A Stroll Through the Gardens of Computer Science

Part 2. Computing in Biology, Mathematics and Physics
Chapter 10. Jon Borwein: Experimental Mathematics
Chapter 11. Douglas Bridges: Constructive Mathematics
Chapter 12. Gregory Chaitin: Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Philosophy
Chapter 13. Francoise Chatelin: Qualitative Computing
Chapter 14. Rod Downey: Computability, Complexity Theory, Reverse Mathematics and Algorithmic Information Theory
Chapter 15. Jozef Gruska: Informatics, Physics and Mathematics
Chapter 16. Giuseppe Longo: Computations and Natural Sciences
Chapter 17. Yuri Manin: My Life Is Not a Conveyor Belt
Chapter 18. Solomon Marcus: Mathematical Analysis, Languages and Fractals
Chapter 19. Mioara Mugur-Schachter: Information, Quantum Mechanics and Probabilities
Chapter 20. Grzegorz Rozenberg: Natural Computing

Part 3. Social Aspects of Computing
Chapter 21. Brian E. Carpenter: The Internet
Chapter 22. Eric Goles: Systems, Art and CONICYT
Chapter 23. Yuri Gurevich: Mathematics, Computer Science and Life
Chapter 24. Hermann Maurer: Computing and Thinking about the Future
Chapter 25. Moshe Y. Vardi: From Theory and Practice in Computing to Research Ethics and the Surveillance State
Chapter 26. Reinhard Wilhelm: Compiler Construction and Dagstuhl