• SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    11
    ·
    1 year ago

    The limits of computers would be the same as the limits for humans. We have no reason to think the human brain has a stronger computation power than a Turing machine.

    So, in a way, learning about the limits of computers is the exact same as learning the limits of humans.

    But also, learning what the limits of computers are is absolutely relevant. You get asked to create an algorithm for a problem and its useful to be able to figure out whether it actually is solvable, or how fast it theoretically can be. Avoids wasting everyone’s time trying to build an infinite loop detector.

    • Riskable@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      5
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      The “limits of humans” I was referring to were things like:

      • How long can you push a deadline before someone starts to get really mad
      • How many dark patterns you can cram into an app before the users stop using it
      • The extremes of human stupidity

      👍

      • SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        …none of which would be relevant for most people working in back-end, which would be most people that take compsci.

        I would hate to go to a compsci study and learn management instead. It’s not what I signed up for.

        University also shouldn’t just be a job training program.