Computing Quotes

"The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves."

"The Analytical Engine has no pretensions whatever to originate anything. It can do whatever we know how to order it to perform."

"The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than the question of whether a submarine can swim."

Edsger Dijkstra

"The Analytical Engine weaves algebraical patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves."

“The Analytical Engine has no pretensions whatever to originate anything. It can do whatever we know how to order it to perform.”

“The ideas which led to the Analytical Engine occurred in a manner wholly independent of any that were connected with the Difference Engine.”

“Those who incline to very strictly utilitarian views may perhaps feel that the peculiar powers of the Analytical Engine bear upon questions of abstract and speculative science rather than upon those involving everyday and ordinary human interests.”

“In the case of the Analytical Engine, we have undoubtedly to lay out a certain capital of analytical labour in one particular line, but this is in order that the engine may bring us in a much larger return in another line.”

“We may say most aptly that the Analytical Engine weaves algebraical patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves.”

“The Analytical Engine does not occupy common ground with mere "calculating machines." It holds a position wholly its own.”

“The engine might compose elaborate and scientific pieces of music of any degree of complexity or extent.”

“The Analytical Engine might act upon other things besides number.”

“A uniting link is established between the operations of matter and the abstract mental processes of the most abstract branch of mathematical science.”

“Many persons imagine that because the business of the engine is to give its results in numerical notation, the nature of its processes must consequently be arithmetical and numerical, rather than algebraical and analytical. This is an error.”

“We may consider the engine as the material and mechanical representative of analysis.”

“The engine can arrange and combine its numerical quantities exactly as if they were letters or any other general symbols.”