LOGIC OF ANALOG AND DIGITAL MACHINES -- Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data -- Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Part 1 -- Chapter 1: A Rock Amidst the Route -- 1. A Chameleon -- A. Odd Opponents and True Friends -- B. In the Literature -- C. The Semantic Triangle -- 2. Practical Perspective -- A. Experts in Communication Sciences -- B. Experts in Biological and Social Sciences -- C. Experts in Physical Sciences -- 3. Sharpness -- A. Toward a Principle -- B. Various Measures -- 1. Single Elementary Signifiers -- B. Second Paradox -- C. Third Paradox -- D. Fourth Paradox -- 5. Anarchic Issue -- A. Arbitrariness -- B. Universal Principle? -- C. Anarchy to Delimit -- 2. Small and Large Communities -- 3. Flexible and Rigid Conventions -- 4. Abstract and Concrete -- 6. Mechanical Acquisition of Information -- A. When Is an Object a Sign or a Thing? -- B. Information Independent of Man's Will -- 7. Complete Catalogue -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Chapter 2: Analog and Digital: Two Courses of Action -- 1. Analog Is Close to Nature -- A. Criticism on Naturalism -- B. Criticism on Continuous/Discrete -- B. Poorly and Strongly Theory-Based -- 2. Sharpness First -- 3. After the First Stage -- A. Stability -- B. Unified Calculation -- 1. Terminology and Chaos -- C. Progressive Standard Assembly -- 1. Assembly of Signifiers -- 2. Assembly of Circuits -- 4. Encoding -- A. The Exponential Law -- B. A Monster Number -- C. Measures of Distance -- D. Assignment of Meaning -- Conclusion -- A. Basic Guidelines -- B. Objections -- Bibliography -- Chapter 3: The Extravagant Realm -- 1. An Overview -- A. Historical Digression -- 1. Early Beginnings -- 2. After the Middle Ages -- 3. From the Industrial Revolution Onward -- 4. Analog Computers -- B. Heterogeneous Components -- 2. Various Mathematical Theories -- A. Linear Continuous Systems.

1. First Order System -- 2. Second Order System -- 2. Laplace Transform -- 3. Nonlinear Systems -- 4. Concluding Remarks -- 3. Mandatory Precision -- A. Accurate States -- B. Mere Improvements -- 4. Paradigms and Technologies -- A. Flexibility of the Digital Paradigm -- B. Biological Computation -- C. Quantum Computation -- D. Rigid and Flexible Relations -- Conclusion -- A. Annotations on the Current Literature -- B. Reasons for a Defeat -- Bibliography -- Part 2 -- Chapter 4: Digital System Architecture -- 1. From Information to Units -- A. Digital Systems -- A. Converters -- B. Data-Processing -- 1. Numerical Data-Processing -- 2. Verbal Data-Processing -- 3. Visual Data-Processing -- 4. Operational Data-Processing -- 5. Static and Dynamical Responses -- 6. Impact of Data-Processing in the World -- 7. Creative -- 8. How Data-Processing Comes to Be True -- 9. What Software Programmers Can and Cannot do -- 2. Two Models Are Needed for a Digital System -- A. Star Model -- B. Hierarchical Model -- Conclusion -- A. Annotations on Current Literature -- Bibliography -- Chapter 5: Networking -- 1. Analog Components -- 2. Channels -- A. Telephone Cables -- B. Waveguides -- C. Coaxial Cables -- D. Optical Fibers -- E. Space -- F. Improper Channel -- 3. Connectivity -- A. Single Direction -- 1. Linear and Complete Nets -- 2. Hierarchical Nets -- 3. Backbones -- B. Multiple Directions -- 1. Short-Range Wireless Systems -- 2. Medium-Range Wireless Systems -- 3. Long-Range Wireless Systems -- 4. Control of Computer Nets -- A. Monocentric Net -- 1. Rigid Control -- 2. Multilevel Functions -- B. Polycentric Net -- 1. Insecure Connections -- 2. Mutable Control -- Conclusion -- A. Annotations on Current Literature -- Bibliography -- Chapter 6: Storage -- 1. Efficient Logistics -- 1. First Criterion: Serviceability -- 2. Second Criterion: Modularity.

3. Third Criterion: Accessibility -- 2. Digital Memories -- 1. Serviceability -- 2. Modularity -- 3. Accessibility -- 3. Files -- A. Record Format -- B. File Rigidity -- C. Files and Storage Media -- D. Non-Sequential Files -- 1. Direct Organization -- 2. Indexed Organization -- 3. Pros and Cons -- 4. Databases -- 1. Flexibility -- 2. Exhaustiveness -- A. Structure of the Relational Database -- B. DB Manipulation -- 5. Tailoring Data Sets -- A. Entity Relationship Diagram -- B. Normalization -- Conclusion -- A. Annotations on Current Literature -- B. Future Expansion -- Bibliography -- Chapter 7: Efficient Strategy -- 1. Compression -- A. Lossless and Lossy Compressions -- 2. Encryption -- A. Secret-Key Encryption -- B. Public-Key Encryption -- 3. Redundancy -- A. A Definition of Redundancy -- B. Active Redundancy in Everyday Life -- C. Active Redundancy with Digits -- D. Passive Redundancy with Digits -- Conclusion -- A. Annotations on the Current Literature -- Bibliography -- Chapter 8: Adapt for Survival -- 1. Software Programming -- A. Historical Excursus -- B. Essentials of Software Programming -- C. Analog Computers -- D. Question Points -- 2. Adaptation -- A. Three Mechanisms for Adaptation -- B. Intelligence and Adaptation -- C. Animals and Vegetables -- D. Time Constraints -- E. Open Systems -- 1. Operational and Information Systems -- 2. Shortcoming and Remedy -- 3. Dynamic Organizations -- A. The Brain of an Organization -- B. Precautionary Tactics -- 1. Crucial Decisions -- 2. Gathering Information -- C. The Growth of Information Systems -- D. Humans and Machines -- E. Post-Industrial Revolution -- 4. Programmable Systems -- A. Two Stages, Two Technologies -- B. Efficient Stratagem -- C. Excellence of the Software -- 1. Advantages -- Conclusion -- A. Annotations on the Current Literature.

B. Is Software Engineering an Engineering Discipline? -- Bibliography -- Chapter 9: Galaxy of Programs -- 1. Variable Influence of the Context -- A. Structure of Levels -- B. Multifold Effects -- 1. Direct and Indirect Impact -- 2. Predictability -- 3. Additional Circumstances -- 2. Spectrum of Possibilities -- A. Genres of Programs -- B. Flexible Cataloguing -- C. Calm and Eventful Management -- Conclusion -- A. Annotations on the Current Literature -- B. Abstract Culture -- C. Exhaustive Studies -- Bibliography -- Part 3 -- Chapter 10: People Like to Communicate -- 1. Human Work -- 2. Poor and Rich Languages -- A. Initial Grunts -- B. Brain Evolution -- C. Digital Emergence -- 3. No Worry for Information Techniques -- A. Lithic Industry -- B. Fine Arts -- 4. One Sign One Sound -- A. Ideograms and Letters -- B. Obstacles and Defects in the Alphabetic Project -- 1. Script -- 2. Speech -- 5. Hybrid Appliances -- Conclusion -- Book's Concluding Remarks -- Bibliography -- Acronyms and Symbols -- Index.