What is a Computer Program?
A computer program is a file or collection of files that instruct a computer what to do. Just like a program at a play or concert, a computer program at the most basic level is a list of events. The computer iterates through the list and performs functions based upon the instructions in the program. Computer programs are rarely used in a stand-alone fashion: most programs used in home and business settings read input from data files or store their output, thus constituting one component of a software system. Even the simplest of calculator programs with no persistent memory or user-configurable settings make use of shared code libraries, thus they are not true stand-alone programs. A computer program is one type of software, other types of software include configuration files that store user preferences, linked or shared libraries, and user files which contain data.
Computer programs are either written in machine language, which is directly readable by the computer's CPU yet difficult for humans to understand, or in a high-level programming language which is similar to human languages, but must be converted to machine language in order to run. The task of converting the high-level languages to machine language is usually done by a compiler (another program), which is written in an intermediate-level language that was likely considered a high-level language at the time it was written. Thus as new, more powerful programming languages are developed they can be used to develop newer, yet more powerful languages. This constant reinvention cycle, aided by rapid improvements in computer hardware, helps fuel the software industries' accelerated development and release schedule. Usually, computer programs that are acquired by the end user are already converted into machine language and the code that created it cannot be examined or altered. Programs that distribute the source code with the intention that others will read it and improve upon it are usually referred to as open-source software.
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The first computer program was written in the early 1840's by Ada Lovelace as an amendment to a translation of the description of the unbuilt Analytical Engine. This early program describes an algorithm for computing Bernoulli numbers: a tedious, repetitive task that is easy to compute in an automated fashion. While simple in theory, this pioneer application of the algorithm established many core principals for computer programing still used today. The concepts of program flow, decision making, turing completeness, and necessity of valid input were all developed in Ada's notes. Additionally, this program preceded the construction of computers actually capable of running it by almost one hundred years.
What is Telepresence?
Telepresence is the action or simulation of remote attendance. Although true stimulation of all five human senses from a remote environment is not possible with current technology, high-quality remote video and audio feeds are termed telepresence for purposes of research and product marketing. Additionally, work is advancing in providing remote stimulation of the senses of touch and to a lesser degree smell. Remote stimulation of the sense of taste does not seem technologically feasible for the foreseeable future.
The first known detailed description of a telepresence system is attributed to the science fiction story Waldo, published in 1942. Forty years later academics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology began actively developing practical two-way audio and video communications systems. Although far from the true-immersion experience described in science fiction, audio and video proved to be adequate for describing complex ideas and providing a sense of companionship. Therefore early telepresence systems marketed for consumer and business use centered mostly on the establishment of a sense of attendance for people separated by large distances in which arranging an actual physical meeting would be costly, time consuming, or otherwise impractical.
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Today the field of telepresence is generally divided into two separate fields. The true science of telepresence, which simulates an immersive experience encompassing most or all of the user's senses, remains a subject of active research. Limited telepresence, usually restricted to audio and video, is often termed teleconferencing or videoconferencing. Teleconferencing continues to be actively developed by high-technology companies such as Cisco, and may encompass additional features such as sharing digital files, specifically-designed telepresence or teleconferencing rooms, and specialty hardware and software that maintain quality communications for prioritized senses under adverse network conditions.
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