The Combinatory Programme (Progress in Theoretical Computer Science) [Hardcover]

Erwin Engeler (Author), K. Aberer (Assistant), B. Amrhein (Assistant), O. Gloor (Assistant), M. v. Mohrenschildt (Assistant), D. Otth (Assistant), G. Schwärzler (Assistant), T. Weibel (Assistant)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0817638016 | ISBN-13: 978-0817638016 | Edition: 1

The purpose of the programme in combinatory logic is to rework the mathematical foundations of computer science on a theory of pure thought. It begins from the idea that, if logic is to be the science of correctly dealing with thought-objects, the underlying theory must be in some sense a part of, or at least a preliminary to, its structure, ie, a protologic. From this idea a combinatory algebra is constructed, using a programmatic mixture of the classical axiomatic and set-theoretic approaches. This text shows that sufficiently rich combinatory algebras can serve as a platform from which to develop the algorithmic aspects of many areas in computer science, mathematics and their applications. It should be of interest to those studying universal algebra, logic and computer algebra.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 156 pages
• Publisher: Birkhäuser Boston; 1 edition (November 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0817638016
• ISBN-13: 978-0817638016
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,263,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive view on important topics of 21th century, October 15, 2000

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Thomas Fehlmann (Zurich Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Combinatory Programme (Progress in Theoretical Computer Science) (Hardcover)

The book contains a very comprehensive discussion of Combinatory Algebras. Such algebras have very attractive features for modeling complex systems of the real world. Models of Combinatory Logic provide similar benefit as the invention of real numbers and continuous convergent series had for the technical revolution. With such models you can build logic systems that explain the behavior of complex systems, combining economics, politics, and humans (written in 2000).

It is a must to study this book. Eight years later, after Combinators have been successfully introduced in QFD and Six Sigma, learning the fundamentals is even more important, even for practitioners (written 2007).