[SIGCIS-Members] the nature of computational error

[Matthew Kirschenbaum]

Hello all,

I am interested in a better understanding of the nature of computational
error. My sense is that actual, literal (mathematical) mistakes in modern
computers are quite rare; the notorious Pentium bug of the early 1990s is
the exception that proves the rule. Most bugs are, rather, code proceeding
to a perfectly correct logical outcome that just so happens to be inimical
or intractable to the user and/or other dependent elements of the system.
The Y2K "bug," for instance, was actually code executing in ways that were
entirely internally self-consistent, however much havoc the code would
wreak (or was expected to wreak).

Can anyone recommend reading that will help me formulate such thoughts with
greater confidence and accuracy? Or serve as a corrective? I'd like to read
something fundamental and even philosophical about, as my subject line has
it, *the nature of computational error*. I'd also be interested in
collecting other instances comparable to the Pentium bug--bugs that were
actual flaws and mistakes hardwired at the deepest levels of a system.

Thank you-- Matt


-- 
Matthew Kirschenbaum
Professor of English and Digital Studies
Director, Graduate Certificate in Digital Studies
Printer's Devil, BookLab
University of Maryland
mgk at umd.edu
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