For lack of better words, outside of the concept of electricity.
Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
1–10 of 31 posts
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#2Genuine question, would concepts of Ransom Olds, or more familiar, Henry Ford’s assembly line, be more valuable than software if not for electricity? (Random example)
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#3Vehemently yes. The value of knowledge is not statically predefined and processes are not limited to their domains (IMHO).
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#4Vehemently yes. The value of knowledge is not statically predefined and processes are not limited to their domains (IMHO).
But how would you execute or run said functions?
Or to clarify, outside of theoretical execution? To do actual work or perform tasks, that would provide value to a lamen/normal person/small business etc?
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#5Vehemently yes. The value of knowledge is not statically predefined and processes are not limited to their domains (IMHO).
But how would you execute or run said functions? Or to clarify, outside of theoretical execution? To do actual work or perform tasks, that would provide value to a lamen/normal person/small business etc?
Example: adding numbers with domino tiles, or other such mechanical computing.
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#6Vehemently yes. The value of knowledge is not statically predefined and processes are not limited to their domains (IMHO).
But how would you execute or run said functions? Or to clarify, outside of theoretical execution? To do actual work or perform tasks, that would provide value to a lamen/normal person/small business etc?
Some of the early computers were mechanical instead of electric. I would assume they store data on punch tape much like the magic piano does to play songs. It would be to heavy for personal use, unless there was a way to make it smaller by using smaller parts.
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
But how would you execute or run said functions? Or to clarify, outside of theoretical execution? To do actual work or perform tasks, that would provide value to a lamen/normal person/small business etc?
Some of the early computers were mechanical instead of electric. I would assume they store data on punch tape much like the magic piano does to play songs. It would be to heavy for personal use, unless there was a way to make it smaller by using smaller parts.
But didn’t they rely on vacuum tubes or other electronic assistance? Forgive my ignorance.
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
Some of the early computers were mechanical instead of electric. I would assume they store data on punch tape much like the magic piano does to play songs. It would be to heavy for personal use, unless there was a way to make it smaller by using smaller parts.
But didn’t they rely on vacuum tubes or other electronic assistance? Forgive my ignorance.
[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#9first useful programs were knitting mills and carpet machines around 1800 - there was no conditional logic, just a long loop of effectively what were just print statements. See jacquard looms on wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacquard_loom#/media/File:Jacq...
first real program is often attributed to Countess Ada Lovelace, in describing operations of the Babbage machine in 1843. She even had a bug in her "code". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace#First_computer_pr...
Re: Ask HN: Does programming have any value outside of electronic systems?
#10Devices like the Curta are beautiful, as a deleted comment mentioned, but how would we move past those? Distributed systems, databases (written journals?) etc? What value do these have outside electricity?