Why do digital computers work like this?

• There is no compelling theoretical reason

  • Nothing from physics or chemistry, information theory, CS

• The reason is mere expediency

  • We build computers this way because we can
    • All the technology “fits”
  • A hierarchical approach allows us to build complex systems
    • Transistors ? switches ? gates ? combinational and sequential logic ? finite-state behavior ? register-transfer behavior ? …
  • The physical basis is silicon integrated-circuit technology

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