|
|
|
|
|
|
|
probability and combinatorics at the level of a first course in finite mathematical structures, plus enough familiarity with the concept of a system to make the notion of "state" a comfortable working tool. Readers so prepared should probably read the book in the given order, moving rapidly (on the first reading) over any example or proof offering more than minor difficulties. A good deal of meaning can still be extracted by those with less mathematics if they are willing to abide the notation, treating the symbols (with the help of the Glossary) as abbreviations for familiar intuitive concepts. For such a reading I would recommend chapter 1 (skipping over section 1.3), the first part of chapter 4 and the summary at the end, the discussions throughout chapter 6 (particularly section 6.6), section 7.5, and most of chapter 9, combined with use of the Index to locate familiar examples and topics. The reader whose first interest is the mathematical development (exclusive of applications) will find section 2.2, chapters 4 and 5, sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, and 9.1 the core of the book. By a judicious use of the Glossary and Index it should be possible for a well-trained system scientist to tackle this part of the book directly. (This is not a procedure I would recommend except as a way of getting a mathematical overview before further reading; in a book of this sort the examples have a particularly important role in establishing the meaning of the formalism.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The pattern of this book, as the reader sees it now, only distantly resembles the one projected at its inception. The first serious writing began almost seven years ago at Pohoiki on the Big Island under the kamaaina hospitality of Carolyn and Gilbert Hay. No book could start in a finer setting. Since that time whole chapters, including chapters on hierarchies, the Kuhn-Tucker fixed point theorem, and cellular automata, have come and gone, a vital µc(f)emerged, blossomed and disappeared, 2-armed bandits arrived, and so on. At this remove it would be about as difficult to chronicle those changes as to acknowledge properly the people who have influenced the book along the way. Arthur Burks stands first among those who provided the research setting and encouragement which made the book feasible; Michael Arbib's comments on a near-final draft stand as the culmination of readings, written comments, commentaries, and remarks by more than a hundred students and colleagues; and Monna Whipp's perseverance through the typing of the final draft and revised revisions of changes brings to fruition the tedious work of her predecessors. For the rest, I cannot conceive that appearance in a long list of names is a suitable reward, but I also cannot conceive a good alternative (beyond personal expression), so they remain anonymous and bereft of formal gratitude beyond some appearances in the references. They deserve better. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
JOHN H. HOLLAND |
|
|
|
|
|