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When does a physical system compute?

Clare Horsman1, Susan Stepney2, Rob C Wagner3

  • 1Department of Computer Science , University of Oxford , Oxford OX1 3QD, UK.

Proceedings. Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences
|September 9, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a formal framework to determine if a physical system performs computation. It defines physical computing as using a system to predict abstract evolution outcomes, clarifying novel computing devices.

Keywords:
computationcomputerphysical computation

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Area of Science:

  • Physical computing
  • Foundations of computation
  • Information theory

Background:

  • Growing interest in non-standard computing systems (quantum, biological).
  • Lack of consensus on defining physical computation.
  • Confusion surrounding novel computational devices and broad claims of computation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Introduce a formal framework to identify physical computation.
  • Define the relationship between abstract computation and physical systems.
  • Establish criteria for determining if a physical system is computing.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a formal framework for physical computing.
  • Analysis of the interaction between abstract computational and physical device levels.
  • Comparison with mathematical models in experimental science.

Main Results:

  • Physical computing defined as using a physical system to predict abstract evolution outcomes.
  • Conditions for computing are established and illustrated with non-standard systems.
  • Introduction of the 'computational entity' concept.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed framework provides a precise description of computation, simulation, and technology.
  • The framework applies to diverse computing contexts, including those without human users.
  • Clarifies the definition of physical computing and computational entities.