This book explores the exciting field of complexity. It features in-depth coverage of important theoretical areas, including fractals, chaos, non-linear dynamics, artificial life and self-organization. It also provides overviews of complexity in several applied areas, including parallel computation, control systems, neural systems and ecosystems. Some of the properties that best characterize complex systems, including algorithmic richness, non-linearity and abundant interactions between components are examined. In this way the book draws out themes, especially the ideas of connectivity and natural computation, that reveal deep, underlying similarities between phenomena that have formerly been treated as completely distinct. The idea of natural computation is particularly rich in fresh approaches applicable to both biology and computing. Analogies such as the DNA code as life’s underlying program, or organisms as automata, are very compelling. Conversely, biologically inspired ideas such as cellular automata, genetic algorithms and neural networks are at the forefront of advanced computing.
• Provides a comprehensive, in-depth overview of the important science of complexity • Spans across specialist areas to reveal fundamental unifying concepts in complexity • Covers essential theory, such as fractals and chaos in detail as well as emphasising the applications of complexity to physics, engineering and biology
Contents
1. Introduction T. R. J. Bossomaier and D. G. Green; 2. Self-organisation in complex systems D. G. Green; 3. Network evolution and the emergence of structure D. A. Seeley; 4. Artificial life: growing complex systems Z. Aleksić; 5. Deterministic and random fractals John E. Hutchinson; 6. Non-linear dynamics D. E. Stewart and R. L. Dewar; 7. Non-linear control systems M. R. James; 8. Parallel computers and complex systems G. C. Fox and P. D. Coddington; 9. Are ecosystems complex systems? R. H. Bradbury, D. G. Green and N. Snoad; 10. Complexity and neural networks Terry Bossomaier; Index.
Review
‘… is a useful collection of introductory summaries of each area of complexity theory and although each one is not covered in any particular depth, the fascination of the subject does show through.’ Stephen P. Banks, Mathematics Today
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