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The Computer Journal 1994 37(9):745-752; doi:10.1093/comjnl/37.9.745
© 1994 by British Computer Society
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What is SP?

G. A. Stephen * and P. Mather §

School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Systems, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1UT, UK

An unorthodox view of computing is embodied in the so-called SP Theory and its associated computing language and ‘new-generation’ computing system. The central contention of this theory is that computing is data compression; and the sole function of the SP ‘computer’ is to compress data supplied to it. SP has, however, been posited as a general theory of computing. A vast array of capabilities—ranging from running programs to making logical deductions—are said to result merely as side-effects of the compression process. This paper examines the operation of the proposed system and evaluates its theoretical basis. Particular attention is paid to certain issues, such as computational complexity, affecting the practicability of the SP system.

Received May 17 1994. revised September 9 1994.

* Correspondence address: Bryn Llinos, 3 Morgon Street, Gerlan, Bethesda, Gwynedd LL57 3TF.

§ Formerly a SERC postgraduate, now at the Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0106, USA.

School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Systems, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1UT, UK


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