WikiProject Computing

---

= Refactoring binary numeral articles =

A ridiculous number and variety of articles currently exist which cover various aspects of the topic of binary numerals, binary codes, binary arithmetic, and whatever else binary formats may be used for. Here s a probably-incomplete list of them:

Computer numbering formats

Extremely long and mostly unwikified; originally copied from a public-domain source[http://www.vectorsite.net/tsfloat.html]. Too much information for a single article, in my opinion, since it covers not only the binary system, but octal, hex, signed integers and two s complement, fixed-point and floating-point, ASCII encoding, arithmetic, bitwise operations, and BCD. The information covered here may serve as a good basis for the sum total of binary-number-related information we want to cover, though; this article might be good as a sort of hierarchical parent to all the others, if most of its existing content is split off and/or merged with other articles.

Integer (computer science)

Some have suggested merging this article with Computer numbering formats, though I would disagree; this article covers subjects such as bytes, pointers, and words, and seems more closely related to computer programming, and binary numerals as a Datatype, than to binary representation in general.

Binary numeral system

I m one of the primary authors of this article, so I may be biased: I think this should be the main article for discussing the numeral system itself, and giving a good overview about what binary numerals are. Much of the information currently here should probably be split off. I would consider this article to be on the same hierarchical level as hexadecimal or octal

Bitwise operation

As the name suggests, this article is about bitwise operations: OR, XOR, AND, NOT, shifting, etc. Again, being one of the primary contributors to it, I am biased, but I believe this article is fairly good as it stands, provided it does not overstep its bounds.

Truncated binary encoding

I have a Computer Science degree and I have no clue what this article is about. It needs work.

Binary encoding (currently redirects to Binary and text files)

Binary encoding is a somewhat vague term, but if there is enough to say about the subject (and I believe there is), then it should have its own article. It can cover any use of binary as a code, rather than binary as a numeral system, and may link to related articles such as Gray code and Binary-coded decimal, unless it would be better to merge those into a larger article on binary encoding.

Binary arithmetic (currently redirects to Binary coding)

This article should be about doing arithmetic in binary; certainly there is more than enough information between Binary numeral system and Computer numbering formats to fill a lengthy article with nothing but explanation of how addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are performed on integral, real, positive or negative binary numerals. Binary coding should redirect to Binary encoding.

One s complement (currently redirects to Negative and non-negative numbers)

Two s complement

Plus a variety of tangentially related articles:

Bit

Octal

Hexadecimal

Base 64

Gray code

Method of complements

Fixed-point arithmetic

Binary-coded decimal

Some of the redirected articles above may be unrelated to the topic at hand (namely, binary numbers), but due to the (I believe) poor choice of redirection, seem to be related because they are linked in a context that makes them seem related. For example, Truncated binary encoding links to Binary encoding in a way that would lead the reader to believe there is another article about binary encoding, when in fact the target of the redirect is about binary (as opposed to text) files---an almost completely unrelated subject. Similarly, Negative and non-negative numbers is hardly an article about One s complement, though it does mention the subject briefly.

Anyhow, the idea here is that many of these articles duplicate information, and many are organized in a way that could cause extreme confusion and difficulty for anyone coming here hoping to learn about binary numbers. I m hoping we can come up with some clear boundaries on what needs to be included in a discussion on binary numbers, and how best to divide that subject into constituent articles. Duplicated information should be merged (especially the information in Binary numeral system and Computer numbering formats, and perhaps additionally Integer (computer science) and Negative and non-negative numbers.)

Previous discussion on this problem exists at 17:09, 29 Feb 2004 (UTC)

:True, we got to do something with binary-related articles. I think the overall confusion is due to the lack of single point of view. Binary is just a numeral system, strictly speaking nothing to do with the computers. Negative numbers can be represented just like as ordinary decimal numbers. But on the computer, the numbers are represented differently. Negative numbers are commonly represented using two s completement, thus, you need a slightly different arithmetic to calculate such. Confusing is that for example, if you use sign and magunitude method, you have negative and positive zeros. Not mention to comparison of sign and unsigned numbers.

:So my suggestion is to have basically two parts: one dealting with the binary numeral system as a mathematical topic and have some binary representation and computation on the computers. Or is it alreadly the way articles are organized now Honestly, I am not fully aware of articles above.

:Anyway, let s take a look at each article:

Computer numbering formats - I believe our agreement is get rid of this someday.

Integer (computer science) - it has a good content but I am not sure what the article is about. If it is about a integer datatype then it s fine but mentions about mega or tera must be gone in that case.

Bitwise operation - actually this is a duplicate article with logical operations. But it focuses on computer topic so I guess it has a reson de tal (not sure how to spell).

16:28, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Binary arithmetic - I would like to see this article is actually rewritten. It is an interesting topic.

:Regarding complement articles, I propose to have an article named negative numbers on the computer or something. Discussion of negative numbers with the computer in negative and non-negative numbers can go to there.

:Also, having some table, popular recently, is a nice way to avoid contributors create further duplication. -- 06:52, Mar 1, 2004 (UTC)

=Hardware taxobox=

Hi. I ve created a prototype for a hardware taxobox (aimed at DEC stuff right now, but it could probably be expanded) at 08:21, 2004 Jun 21 (UTC)

:In my browser (Mozilla Firefox) at least, your taxobox s title is in black text on black background. Other than that, looks like a great idea! -- 16:09, 21 Jun 2004 (UTC)

::How strange. I m using Firefox 0.8 and it shows as white on black.

{| border=1 align=right |- style= background-color: black; color: white; text-align: center; ! colspan= 2 | DEC VAX

::Does the color: appear correctly in the HTML source 16:25, 2004 Jun 21 (UTC)

:::Yes, it does. How weird. -- 16:48, 21 Jun 2004 (UTC)

= Merger =

I was wondering if we could merge a new Wikiproject I just created (not knowing you guys existed!). The project is 14:10, 17 Dec 2004 (UTC)

=From =

OK, let s kick this off. I ve realised that there are an absolute ton of articles on Computers and computing technology that we would do well to expand and cleanup. After all, one thing Wikipedia has a lot of is computer geeks :P We have programmers, sys admins, helpdesk operators, computer users, systems analysts, hardware junkies... you name it: we ve got em. I figure that we should organise some of that enthusiasm by making a Wikiproject!

I fist came to realise just how many articles needed cleaning up and expanding upon when I edited — an entire list of computer related terms that we still have to expand upon! And we can do it, too. We just need somewhere to coordinate things.

The initial thing I think we need to do is to work out what the various areas of computers we should be writing about. I think we can broadly categorise computing technology in these areas:

# Software ## Programming ## Operating systems ## Applications # Networking # Security # Hardware

What do people think

08:00, 15 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Can you clarify a bit what Programming would include Where would articles such as 17:30, 15 Dec 2004 (UTC)

*Under algorithms, under programming my structure s not set in stone... I d be happy to take on board suggestions. - 08:48, 16 Dec 2004 (UTC)

How about format articles, such as 18:54, 17 Dec 2004 (UTC)

== How-to ==

I m thinking of joining this project, but I don t like the how-to focus you seem to be headed toward. I m much more interested in a historical focus. Is that part of what you have in mind, or would it just be pointless for me to join -- 22:10, Dec 15, 2004 (UTC)

:Any howto s written on Wikipedia will likely be moved elsewhere (probably Wikibooks) as they re not encyclopedic. 02:58, Dec 16, 2004 (UTC)

::In that case, either the project page as it now stands doesn t reflect the proposed project, or the project isn t going to be in Wikipedia. Someone is presumably proposing this thing. Could he/she possibly get the project page to where it gives at least a moderately accurate indication of the intended scope -- 06:37, Dec 16, 2004 (UTC)

:::Actually, I grabbed that straight from the Wikiproject template. I thought it was odd also. Feel free to remove it. - 08:46, 16 Dec 2004 (UTC)

::::Removed. - 08:49, 16 Dec 2004 (UTC)

:::::But virtually all of the goals are still how-to articles... -- 09:23, Dec 16, 2004 (UTC)

::::::OK, I ve restructured a bit, with some help from the bellman. What do you think - 13:29, 17 Dec 2004 (UTC)

:::::::Much improved. -- 19:54, Dec 17, 2004 (UTC)

== Comparison with ==

Note: at the time this discussion section was started, the present talk page was at . The move here was a result of this discussion.

It seems to me that 14:01, Dec 17, 2004 (UTC)

:Gah! That wasn t on the list of Wikiprojects. I think we have a bit more structure... I ll post a message on their page asking for a merger. - 14:07, 17 Dec 2004 (UTC)

::The project list is divided into active projects and all projects . 15:33, Dec 17, 2004 (UTC)

= To-Do =

I m putting items on this list because, well, they seem like they need to be done. If anyone disagrees whether they should be done, please say so... -- 04:29, 19 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Fix the computer-related sections of 08:33, 18 Dec 2004 (UTC)

**Okay, I ve turned 18:25, 28 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I would prefer not to. Subroutine is very standard terminology in a number of languages (not to mention computer architectures, come to think of it, since many have built-in support for subroutines) for a named entity that is called (usually with arguments) and (optionally) returns a value. It s a very well understood, and, more importantly, well defined concept. To me, subprogram is a much less well-defined concept, and I therefore think it would be a bad idea to put the two on the same page. Keep subroutine for the well-defined programming language construct. 20:04, 28 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Reorganize the very broad 04:29, 19 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Help with moving huge piles of 21:57, 17 Feb 2005 (UTC)

**Or to other appropriate specific categories, which are listed at 00:50, 18 Feb 2005 (UTC) **Okay, on this subject -- is 22:25, 19 Feb 2005 (UTC) ***Looking at the existing stubs, it might be good to separate software (i.e., that which is not hardware) from applications (i.e., a finished program that a user interacts with. -- 22:33, 19 Feb 2005 (UTC)

= Qualculus =

We are having a discussion at 16:39, 28 Dec 2004 (UTC) :I d suggest listing this on VfD. - 04:11, 2 Jan 2005 (UTC)

=Concurrency, parallelism and distribution=

The wikipedia pages dealing with these concepts came to my attention through items on the PlanetLISP news feed, and I m unhappy with what I ve so far seen. I ve put together a first attempt at a definition on my weblog [http://www.advogato.org/person/chalst/diary.htmlstart=134]; I m interested in putting together a more useful and consistent terminology for Wikipedia that is closer to what researchers use. I haven t got a great deal of time before the semester here ends (in three weeks) to comment on & edit the particular pages, but I thought I d try to get feedback on:

What definitions should we be using Are there any serious problems with the definitions I proposed in my weblog entry

Where should the definitions go (I suggest we create a Parallelism and concurrency page);

Can we assemble a collection of definitions from authoratative sources ---- 13:29, 20 Jan 2005 (UTC)

:I ran into problems finding good, precise definitions of these concepts while trying to tune up the Cilk article. To clarify -- how would you classify SIMD (I believe that s the term): Single Instruction, Multiple Data :I think distributed is a little easier to separate out from the others. -- 21:01, 20 Jan 2005 (UTC)

=Early computer bibliography=

For those of you interested in early computers, I am assembling a large annotated bibliography on the subject at 17:21, 5 Mar 2005 (UTC)

= Navigational template =

I m writing a navigational template for GNU/Linux - various distros and the like will be linked. See 02:39, Mar 6, 2005 (UTC) :Anyone I m stumped. 03:18, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC) ::I ve added a few. Here is the template

::there seems to be something wrong with tr:Template:Linux... -- 16:21, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)

=Orphan=

Could someone take a look at 01:44, 14 Mar 2005 (UTC)

= Database =

Do databases fall within the portfolio of this WikiProject If so, why do they seem to be omitted from the list If not, why not Does some other group handle DB, DBMS, etc. If so, who are they

Thank You! — ) 04:51, 2005 Mar 29 (UTC)

= =

The article 20:52, 4 Jun 2005 (UTC)

= featured article selection implied POV =

Purusing ) 17:13, Jun 25, 2005 (UTC)

=Improvement Drive=

06:56, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

= Deletion list =

Hi folks,

I just wanted to let you know about a list of .

Since you re interested in improving Wikipedia s coverage of computer-related topics, you might want to monitor this list. You might also want to keep an eye on .

If you find the list useful, please also help to maintain it by adding new items and archiving old ones. Thanks!

Cheers,

-- 16:08, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

PS New members are needed and welcome at . Hope to see you there!

=Complete Boolean algebra (computer science)=

Can someone here tell me whether the term complete Boolean algebra is in fact used for the concept defined in the article linked above In Googling the only references I can find to it are probable reflections of an old article at 17:16, 10 October 2005 (UTC)