Computer Science and Technology Encyclopedia (Second Edition)

Author: Zhang Xiaoxiang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-04-15
Features: To adapt to the rapid development of computer technology and meet the needs of readers for timely access to updated knowledge in the field of computer science, the second edition of the Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology has been revised, expanded, and rewritten based on the first edition. The framework of the second edition has also been appropriately adjusted. Building upon the original six major branches—“Computer Science Theory,” “Computer Organization and Architecture” (renamed “Computer Composition and Architecture” in the second edition), “Computer Software,” “Computer Hardware,” “Computer Application Technology,” and “Artificial Intelligence”—the second edition adds a seventh branch, “Computer Networks.” In addition to appropriately adding new entries, the second edition has merged, rewritten, and deleted some overly specific entries from the first edition’s framework, and removed entries that have become outdated. The second edition has also made revisions and additions to the “General Overview of Computer Science and Technology.” The second edition of the Comprehensive Encyclopedia includes 1,381 entries, a slight increase from the first edition. These are distributed as follows: “Computer Science Theory” (172 entries), “Computer Composition and Architecture” (133 entries), “Computer Software” (320 entries), “Computer Hardware” (162 entries), “Computer Networks” (245 entries), “Computer Application Technology” (244 entries), and “Artificial Intelligence” (105 entries). The second edition strives to provide concise and precise definitions for each entry, along with clear and comprehensive content, based on well-established knowledge, ensuring that all information is well-supported and reliable.
[Preface] Preface Since its publication in 1998, the Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as the Comprehensive Encyclopedia) has garnered significant attention from various sectors. It has become a widely used and valuable reference tool for professionals and enthusiasts in China’s computer science, education, industry, and application fields. Due to the rapid development of computer technology, many new developments have emerged since the first edition’s release over six years ago. To meet the needs of readers for timely access to updated knowledge in the field of computer science, planning for the second edition began in 2000. Building on the first edition, it underwent revisions, expansions, and deletions, with the framework of the Comprehensive Encyclopedia being appropriately adjusted. After more than four years of effort, the compilation and publication of the second edition were completed. Computer networks play a crucial role in advancing China’s national economic development and social informatization. In recent years, computer network technology has developed rapidly and has become increasingly rich in content. Therefore, in the second edition of the Comprehensive Encyclopedia, computer networks have been included as a separate branch. Building on the original six major branches—“Computer Science Theory,” “Computer Organization and Architecture” (renamed “Computer Composition and Architecture” in the second edition), “Computer Software,” “Computer Hardware,” “Computer Application Technology,” and “Artificial Intelligence”—the second edition adds a seventh branch, “Computer Networks.” In addition to appropriately adding new entries in each branch, the second edition has merged, rewritten, and deleted some overly specific entries from the first edition’s framework, and removed outdated entries to make the overall framework more reasonable and better reflect the latest developments in computer science and technology. The second edition has also made revisions and additions to the “General Overview of Computer Science and Technology.” The second edition of the Comprehensive Encyclopedia includes 1,381 entries, a slight increase from the first edition. These are distributed as follows: “Computer Science Theory” (172 entries), “Computer Composition and Architecture” (133 entries), “Computer Software” (320 entries), “Computer Hardware” (162 entries), “Computer Networks” (245 entries), “Computer Application Technology” (244 entries), and “Artificial Intelligence” (105 entries). The second edition strives to provide concise and precise definitions for each entry, along with clear and comprehensive content, based on well-established knowledge, ensuring that all information is well-supported and reliable.
The authors of the second edition of the Comprehensive Encyclopedia have worked extremely hard in writing the entries, and the editors of Tsinghua University Press have meticulously reviewed and edited the manuscript. We express our gratitude to them. We welcome feedback from readers regarding any shortcomings in the second edition of the Comprehensive Encyclopedia.
Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology Editorial Committee
December 2004