What is the most complex subject/area in computing?
There is so much jargon, and so many acronyms, involved in computing that obscure many subjects that are otherwise reasonably straight-forward.
Which subject is technically the most difficult to understand? I suspect that candidates are pointers and recursion. Object-oriented programming is
not necessarily that complicated. (These are programming topics, but I mean generally in the field of computing.)
Data encryption is also probably a candidate. I would suggest e-mailing as a candidate. If you've ever tried to configure sending an e-mail from a local
host you might appreciate my suggestion.
Complex subject
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- SilverLounger
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Complex subject
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.
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- 5StarLounger
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Re: Complex subject
debugging a visual basic macro?
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- Administrator
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Re: Complex subject
I think database normalization is pretty difficult, but the hardest area I have had to deal with is understanding how different encryption algorithms work.agibsonsw wrote:What is the most complex subject/area in computing? ...
StuartR
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- SilverLounger
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Re: Complex subject
Database normalization seems deceptively straight-forward, but applying it in practice to model a 'real-life' system can become overwhelming.
I remember studying encryption to a limited extent at university within a Number Theory module. I think you may be right. Andy.
I remember studying encryption to a limited extent at university within a Number Theory module. I think you may be right. Andy.
"I'm here to save your life. But if I'm going to do that, I'll need total uninanonynymity." Me Myself & Irene.
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- Administrator
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Re: Complex subject
There are some pretty tough subjects in computing, but if you want something really difficult, try understanding the English-language manual to a Japanese VCR from the 1980s or 1990s.
Best wishes,
Hans
Hans
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- BronzeLounger
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Re: Complex subject
Now that is just plain cruel!
Regards,
Paul
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts his sails.
Paul
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- UraniumLounger
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Re: Complex subject
Back in the day (35-45 years ago, when I was still programming) the most difficult bits were reading the hardware signals at the machine level in core and responding at the same level. Only ever knew a couple of programmers who could consistently get it done right. The reason it was important was to avoid timeouts by the OS (DOS/VSE, OS/MVS - or what they were before they became those os's).
Bob's yer Uncle
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