Sketch of the Analytical Engine invented by Charles Babbage, Esq.Menabrea, Luigi Federico
Science
Sketch of the Analytical Engine invented by Charles Babbage, Esq.
Menabrea, Luigi Federico
Babbage, Charles, 1791-1871; Numerical analysis
and our conjecture therefore as to the principle on which we conceive
the accomplishment of such results may have been made to depend, is
very probably not in accordance with the fact, and less subservient
for the purpose than some other principles, or at least requiring the
cooperation of others. It seems to us obvious, however, that where
operations are so independent in their mode of acting, it must be easy
by means of a few simple provisions and additions in arranging the
[Pg 29]
mechanism, to bring out a double set of results,
viz.—1st, the numerical magnitudes which are the results of
operations performed on numerical data. (These results are the
primary object of the engine). 2ndly, the symbolical results
to be attached to those numerical results, which symbolical results
are not less the necessary and logical consequences of operations
performed upon symbolical data, than are numerical results
when the data are numerical[17].
If we compare together the powers and the principles of construction of
the Difference and of the Analytical Engines, we shall perceive that
the capabilities of the latter are immeasurably more extensive than
those of the former, and that they in fact hold to each other the same
relationship as that of analysis to arithmetic. The Difference Engine
can effect but one particular series of operations, viz. that required
for tabulating the integral of the special function
and as it can only do this for values of up to 7[18], it cannot
be considered as being the most general expression even of
one particular function, much less as being the expression
of any and all possible functions of all degrees of generality. The
Difference Engine can in reality (as has been already partly explained)
do nothing but add; and any other processes, not excepting
those of simple subtraction, multiplication and division, can be
performed by it only just to that extent in which it is possible, by
judicious mathematical arrangement and artifices, to reduce them to
a series of additions. The method of differences is, in fact,
a method of additions; and as it includes within its means a larger
number of results attainable by addition simply, than any other
mathematical principle, it was very appropriately selected as the basis
on which to construct an Adding Machine, so as to give to the
powers of such a machine the widest possible range. The Analytical
Engine, on the contrary, can either add, subtract, multiply or divide
with equal facility; and performs each of these four operations in a
direct manner, without the aid of any of the other three. This one fact
implies everything; and it is scarcely necessary to point out, for
instance, that while the Difference Engine can merely tabulate,
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and is incapable of developing, the Analytical Engine can
either tabulate or develope.
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