The Pattern on the Stone
The Pattern on the Stone: The Simple Ideas that Make Computers Work is a book by W. Daniel Hillis, published in 1998 by Basic Books (ISBN 0-465-02595-1). The book attempts to explain concepts from computer science in layman's terms by metaphor and analogy. It aims to demystify computer science by demonstrating that complex processes can be broken down into simple, repeated patterns. The book emphasizes the underlying simplicity and elegance of computer science, encouraging readers to see the beauty in the patterns that power the technology that permeates our lives.
Summary
[edit]The book is composed of eight chapters, and two extra topics:
- Boolean algebra: The book starts with the fundamental building block of all digital computers: Boolean logic. It explains how simple switches ("on" or "off") can be combined using operators like AND, OR, and NOT to represent information and perform calculations. Think of it as the basic alphabet of computer language.
- Information theory: This section delves into the science of measuring, storing, and transmitting information. It covers concepts like data compression, which efficiently encodes information for storage or transmission, and error-correcting codes, which ensure information integrity despite glitches.
- Turing Machines: Turing machines are theoretical models of universal computers. The book dives into their workings, highlighting how simple components can be combined to achieve remarkable computational abilities.
- Universal computing: Imagine a machine that can perform any computation another machine can. This is the concept of a universal computer, explored in the book through the fascinating example of the Turing machine. It demonstrates the fundamental limits and capabilities of computational power.
- Algorithms: Step-by-step instructions that computers follow to solve problems are known as algorithms. This section tackles the essential role of algorithms in controlling computers and explores how programming languages allow humans to communicate these instructions effectively.
- Cryptography: Keeping information safe is crucial in the digital age. The book dives into the fascinating world of cryptography, explaining how codes and encryption techniques are used to scramble information and protect it from unauthorized access.
- Heuristics: Finding the optimal solution to every problem isn't always feasible. Heuristics offer a practical approach, using "rules of thumb" to find good-enough solutions quickly, even if they might not be perfect. The book explains this trade-off between speed and accuracy in problem-solving.
- Parallel computing: Imagine solving a problem by dividing it into smaller tasks and working on them simultaneously. This is the core idea of parallel computing, explained in the book. It explores how using multiple processors can significantly speed up computations, paving the way for future computing advancements.
- Quantum computing: This revolutionary field harnesses the bizarre principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations that are impossible for classical computers. The book explains the basics of quantum bits (qubits), superposition, and entanglement, and how these properties can be used to solve problems like drug discovery, materials science, and financial modeling much faster than conventional methods. However, the book also discusses the challenges of building and controlling quantum computers, highlighting that this technology is still in its early stages.
- Emergence: These are complex systems where the whole exhibits properties that are not present in its individual parts. Imagine an anthill, where millions of ants working independently create a collective intelligence far greater than any individual ant. The book uses examples like ant colonies, the brain, and even the economy to illustrate how simple rules can lead to complex and unpredictable behavior. Emergent systems offer inspiration for designing new computational models and understanding complex phenomena in various fields.
Reviews
[edit]- Anthony Cait (December 5, 1998) Science News 154.23 page 354
- He begins by imparting Boolean logic through a demonstration of a machine that plays tic-tac-toe...Hillis gift is his ability to convey the logical processes of computers that begin with switches and circuitry and escalate to self-organizing learning ability relevant to parallel computing systems.
- William Baer (November 15, 1998) Library Journal 123.19 page 84
- Step by step from computer logic to programming to memory and compression. The final two chapters show how computers are truly close to being thinking machines.
- Gilbert Taylor (October 15, 1998) Booklist 95(4):381
- A delightful all-in-one introduction to computer science.
- Wade Roush (November 1998) Technology Review 101.6 page 94 “The Shaman’s vision stone”
- There’s nothing special about silicon, Hillis wants the reader to know. The universal building blocks of computation -- simple, logical functions such as and, or, and not – can be implemented using rods and springs, water pipes and hydraulic valves, and many other physical systems.
Reception
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The book has been covered by various media outlets, including scientific journals, newspapers, and online publications. During the year it was first published, it garnered several awards, including:
- 1999 American Association for the Advancement of Science Prize for Books
- 1999 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Science and Technology.
- 1999 National Book Award Finalist in Science
- 1999 Rhône-Poulenc Science Book Prize Shortlist
- 1998 Boston Globe Book Award Finalist in Nonfiction
- 1998 Guardian Award Finalist in Science
- 1998 Royal Society Winton Medal shortlist
The book has aged well and has been positively received by critics and readers alike, earning praise for its clear and accessible writing style, ability to make complex topics understandable to a general audience, and overall message of empowerment and fascination with the world of computers. However, it has been criticized for lacking depth and specificity.
The book has been translated into many languages and has sold over a million copies.