This collection presents a selection from Edsger W. Dijkstra's "EWD series," a body of scientific correspondence generated during his tenure as a Burroughs Research Fellow. Isolated in his study and working across the Atlantic, Dijkstra utilized the written word and the copier to document his work, creating a distributed record of his thoughts and research in computing. This book makes a selection of these writings publicly available, aiming for variety and representativeness of his work, and offering a personal perspective on computing.
The central argument is that a consistent, personal record of scientific thought, distributed through written correspondence, is a vital part of the research process, particularly when geographically separated from colleagues. Readers gain insight into Dijkstra's private intellectual output and the evolution of his ideas in computing, as documented in a unique form of scientific communication.
Key concepts
- EWD series — A form of scientific correspondence maintained by Dijkstra, documented through written notes and distributed via copier.
- Burroughs Research Fellow — Dijkstra's research position that shifted his work environment, emphasizing solitude and written communication.
- Scientific correspondence — The method Dijkstra used to record and disseminate his computing research, functioning as a public part of his output.
Popular questions readers ask
- How did Dijkstra's shift to a solitary work environment as a Burroughs Research Fellow fundamentally alter his method of communication and contribution to the computing field?
- Explain how the advent of the copier was not just a convenience, but a transformative technology for scientific correspondence like the EWD series. What does this suggest about the limitations of scientific communication before copiers?
- Why might Dijkstra initially feel "highly embarrassing" about publishing a selection of his scientific correspondence, and what does this reveal about the perceived distinction between formal publication and informal scientific sharing at the time?
- Describe the unique distribution model of the EWD series. What were its advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional publishing, and what modern-day equivalents exist for this kind of decentralized knowledge sharing?
- Analyze the "guiding principles" adopted for selecting the book's content (preferably not published elsewhere, as varied and as representative as possible). How do these principles reflect both the original spirit of the EWD series as "scientific correspondence" and the aims of creating a cohesive published work?