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.

Contents:

• Computing Science:

  • Formal Methods (Dines Bjørner)
  • Computer System and Network Performance Analysis (Erol Gelenbe)
  • From Theoretical Computer Science to Behavioural Programming, Biology and Smell (David Harel)
  • Computational Complexity (Juris Hartmanis)
  • From Theory to Library of Efficient Data Types and Algorithms (LEDA) and Algorithm Engineering (Kurt Mehlhorn)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (Arto Salomaa)
  • Concurrent Systems Specification and Verification (Joseph Sifakis)
  • Information-Based Complexity (Joseph F Traub)
  • A Stroll Through the Gardens of Computer Science (Ian H Witten)

• Computing in Biology, Mathematics and Physics:

  • Experimental Mathematics (Jon Borwein)
  • Constructive Mathematics (Douglas Bridges)
  • Mathematics, Physics, Biology and Philosophy (Gregory Chaitin)
  • Qualitative Computing (Françoise Chatelin)
  • Computability, Complexity Theory, Reverse Mathematics and Algorithmic Information Theory (Rod Downey)
  • Informatics, Physics and Mathematics (Jozef Gruska)
  • Computations and Natural Sciences (Giuseppe Longo)
  • My Life Is Not a Conveyor Belt (Yuri Manin)
  • Mathematical Analysis, Languages and Fractals (Solomon Marcus)
  • Information, Quantum Mechanics and Probabilities (Mioara Mugur-Schachter)
  • Natural Computing (Grzegorz Rozenberg)

• Social Aspects of Computing:

  • Internet (Brian E Carpenter)
  • Systems, Art and CONICYT (Eric Goles)
  • Mathematics, Computer Science and Life (Yuri Gurevich)
  • Computing and Thinking about the Future (Hermann Maurer)
  • From Theory and Practice in Computing to Research Ethics and the Surveillance State (Moshe Y Vardi)
  • Compiler Construction and Dagstuhl (Reinhard Wilhelm)

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

• Unique format and treatment
• Features eminent scientists
• Includes stimulating conversations with renowned scientists