It is generally understood that the present approachs to computing do not have the performance, flexibility, and reliability of biological information processing systems. Although there is a comprehensive body of knowledge regarding how information processing occurs in the brain and central nervous system this has had little impact on mainstream computing so far. This book presents a broad spectrum of current research into biologically inspired computational systems and thus contributes towards developing new computational approaches based on neuroscience. The 39 revised full papers by leading researchers were carefully selected and reviewed for inclusion in this anthology. Besides an introductory overview by the volume editors, the book offers topical parts on modular organization and robustness, timing and synchronization, and learning and memory storage.

First Published in 1988. A collection of papers, presentations and poster summaries from the tenth annual conference of the Cognitive Science Society in Montreal, Canada August 1988.

Planning-Programming-Budgeting is not decisionmaking by mathematical model, mathematical and statistical techniques, or computing machines. PPB has these essential characteristics: (1) Careful specification and systematic analysis of objectives. (2) A search for the relevant alternatives and the different ways available for achieving the objectives. (3) An estimate of the total costs of each alternative--direct and indirect costs, and both initial costs and those to which the alternative commits us for future years. (4) An estimate of the effectiveness of each alternative, or of how close it comes to satisfying the objective. (5) A comparison and analysis of the alternatives, seeking that combination of alternatives that promises the greatest effectiveness, for given resources, in achieving the objectives.