Thus spake Robert Holmes circa 10/01/2008 11:29 AM: > Is programming a mathematical formalism? No. I know that when I'm cranking > out Python scripts I am not doing any math.
Just to be clear, programming is the _act_ of constructing a program. As an act, it is not a formalism. However, the program produced is a construct within a particular formalism. To boot, that formalism is a mathematical formalism. So, when you are programming, you are doing mathematics, even if you don't realize it. The same is true of the child counting on her fingers. She's doing mathematics even though she may not realize it. The same is true of the plumbing contractor when she _figures_ out how to lay pipe in a house. She's doing math, even though she may not realize it. Programming is (a form of) mathematics. But I don't want to give the impression that _everything_ is math. When we construct an actual/physical object, the object is not (necessarily) a construct within a particular formalism. So, when we build something, say, a chair, we may or may not be doing math. If we did all the figuring prior to the construction, then the construction phase isn't mathematics. If, however, we use the various pieces to measure the other pieces and figure things out during the construction process, then we're doing math. So, actions (and sensing) are not math. Of course, Guenther will probably pop back in and say that _if_ the entire universe is a mathematical formalism and all things in the universe are constructs in that formalism, then all actions and sensing are math, as well. But aside from that pathological ontological conclusion [grin], there are non-math things. I would also posit that general thought (not calculation or "figuring") may be non-mathematical. But I can't defend that position very well. -- glen e. p. ropella, 971-219-3846, http://tempusdictum.com ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
