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  3. Calculate or Compute?

Calculate or Compute?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
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  • L Lost User

    I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

    "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

    P Offline
    P Offline
    PIEBALDconsult
    wrote on last edited by
    #2

    But maybe some things which can be calculated can't be computed. "Computability" doesn't seem to apply to calculating women.

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    • L Lost User

      I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

      "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

      Mike HankeyM Offline
      Mike HankeyM Offline
      Mike Hankey
      wrote on last edited by
      #3

      I calculate I'll be compute'n for the end of the day!

      The most expensive tool is a cheap tool. Gareth Branwyn JaxCoder.com

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      • L Lost User

        I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

        "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

        K Offline
        K Offline
        k5054
        wrote on last edited by
        #4

        For a long time a "computer" was a person who computed. Before about 1960, if you worked for an insurance company for example, working out actuarial tables and the like, your job description might be "computer". [Computer (occupation) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer\_(occupation))

        Keep Calm and Carry On

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        • K k5054

          For a long time a "computer" was a person who computed. Before about 1960, if you worked for an insurance company for example, working out actuarial tables and the like, your job description might be "computer". [Computer (occupation) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer\_(occupation))

          Keep Calm and Carry On

          P Offline
          P Offline
          PIEBALDconsult
          wrote on last edited by
          #5

          Hmm, yes, but I would expect such a man to be a computor, his couterpart being a computrix. A computer would be an inanimate object.

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          • L Lost User

            I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

            "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

            L Offline
            L Offline
            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #6

            Gerry Schmitz wrote:

            So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity.

            Calculating is human math. It is computing if you use a PC for that math. In the 1880's the term is correct; we even had humans computing in that era. Just posting, because you sound confused on the idea.

            Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.

            L 1 Reply Last reply
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            • L Lost User

              I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

              "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

              R Offline
              R Offline
              Ravi Bhavnani
              wrote on last edited by
              #7

              There's a reason why it's not called the Association of Calculating Machinery. :-D /ravi

              My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

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              • K k5054

                For a long time a "computer" was a person who computed. Before about 1960, if you worked for an insurance company for example, working out actuarial tables and the like, your job description might be "computer". [Computer (occupation) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer\_(occupation))

                Keep Calm and Carry On

                D Offline
                D Offline
                DerekT P
                wrote on last edited by
                #8

                Then of course there are comptometers (from 1862) and their operators, comptometrists... ;)

                Telegraph marker posts ... nothing to do with IT Phasmid email discussion group ... also nothing to do with IT Beekeeping and honey site ... still nothing to do with IT

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                • L Lost User

                  Gerry Schmitz wrote:

                  So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity.

                  Calculating is human math. It is computing if you use a PC for that math. In the 1880's the term is correct; we even had humans computing in that era. Just posting, because you sound confused on the idea.

                  Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  Lost User
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #9

                  Your "explanations" are always a delight. Is crypto still "money"?

                  "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

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                  • R Ravi Bhavnani

                    There's a reason why it's not called the Association of Calculating Machinery. :-D /ravi

                    My new year resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | My .NET bits | Freeware ravib(at)ravib(dot)com

                    B Offline
                    B Offline
                    BorkenkaeferFrisstFichten
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #10

                    The reason is very simple and is not at all word semantics-orientated. The Association for Computing Machinery is a given name. That's also why each word is capitalized. If given names were to follow semantics, Pres. Bidens son would be after deer each and every day.

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                    • L Lost User

                      I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

                      "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      maze3
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #11

                      computer computes calculations

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                      • L Lost User

                        I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

                        "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

                        J Offline
                        J Offline
                        jochance
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #12

                        If my calculations are correct, you've correctly computed these calculations.

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                        • L Lost User

                          I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

                          "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

                          B Offline
                          B Offline
                          BorkenkaeferFrisstFichten
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #13

                          Calculate and compute are synonyms, according to the dictionaries. Calculate ~~~~~~~~~ "(..)to judge the number or amount of something by using the information that you already have, and adding, taking away, multiplying, or dividing numbers(..)", source: The Cambridge Dictionary, 2022 "(..)to estimate or calculate by mathematics(..)", source: The Random House Amrican Dictionary, 1990 "(..)to estimate, enumerate, sum up, calculate(..)", source: Instant Synonyms and Antonyms, Bolander, Varner et al., 1970, 1988, Career Institute Inc "continued computing(..)", Siemens Dicitonary of Computing, 1970, Siemens GmbH Compute ~~~~~~~~ "(..)to calculate an answer or amount by using a machine", source: The Cambridge Dictionary, 2022 "to calculate", source: The Random House Amrican Dictionary, 1990 "(..)enumerate, figure, sum up, calculate(..)", source: Instant Synonyms and Antonyms, Bolander, Varner et al., 1970, 1988, Career Institute Inc "to calculate(..)", Siemens Dicitonary of Computing, 1970, Siemens GmbH

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                          • L Lost User

                            I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

                            "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

                            J Offline
                            J Offline
                            JohnDG52
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #14

                            IMHO computing may be distinguished by the inclusion of logical operations, which don't generally appear in calculations.

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                            • L Lost User

                              I just assumed that "computing" was a recent phenomenon, and that we always used to "calculate". So I'm consulting some literature from the 1880's and they're "computing" here and there. So, I compared definitions and "calculating" indicates simplicity whereas "computing" indicates complexity. So, don't calculate when you should be computing.

                              "Before entering on an understanding, I have meditated for a long time, and have foreseen what might happen. It is not genius which reveals to me suddenly, secretly, what I have to say or to do in a circumstance unexpected by other people; it is reflection, it is meditation." - Napoleon I

                              B Offline
                              B Offline
                              bryanren
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #15

                              Can I bring in mentat and mentation?

                              P 1 Reply Last reply
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                              • P PIEBALDconsult

                                Hmm, yes, but I would expect such a man to be a computor, his couterpart being a computrix. A computer would be an inanimate object.

                                K Offline
                                K Offline
                                kholsinger
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #16

                                Might be your expectation, but it doesn't match reality. See this from NASA or read the book/watch the movie "Hidden Figures."

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                                • K k5054

                                  For a long time a "computer" was a person who computed. Before about 1960, if you worked for an insurance company for example, working out actuarial tables and the like, your job description might be "computer". [Computer (occupation) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer\_(occupation))

                                  Keep Calm and Carry On

                                  O Offline
                                  O Offline
                                  ormonds
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #17

                                  But if I am a computer I must be able to assume I will be turned on daily. I'm not.

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                                  • B bryanren

                                    Can I bring in mentat and mentation?

                                    P Offline
                                    P Offline
                                    PIEBALDconsult
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #18

                                    Consider it brung.

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