# unconventional computing

> Computing by a wide range of new or unusual method

**Wikidata**: [Q176499](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q176499)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconventional_computing)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/unconventional-computing

## Summary
Unconventional computing is a subclass of computer science that focuses on computing via a wide range of new or unusual methods. It serves as a specific category within the broader study of computation, distinct from standard computing architectures.

## Key Facts
*   **Definition:** Described as "Computing by a wide range of new or unusual method."
*   **Parent Classification:** Listed as a direct subclass of **computer science** (the study of computation).
*   **Wikipedia Presence:** The English Wikipedia entry is titled "Unconventional computing."
*   **Language Availability:** Wikipedia articles for this entity exist in five languages: Arabic (ar), English (en), Spanish (es), Farsi (fa), and French (fr).
*   **Global Reach:** The entity has a sitelink count of 5 across various projects.
*   **Alternate Titles:** Includes the alias "Computacion no convencional."
*   **Microsoft Academic ID:** Indexed under the ID 23375383 (service discontinued).
*   **Freebase ID:** Registered under the identifier `/m/0b72hw`.

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly is unconventional computing?
A: Unconventional computing is a field within computer science dedicated to exploring computation methods that are considered new or unusual, diverging from traditional standard approaches.

### Q: How is unconventional computing classified within academia?
A: It is formally classified as a subclass of computer science, sitting under the general study of computation.

### Q: Is information on unconventional computing widely available?
A: It has a dedicated presence on Wikipedia in five languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Farsi), though it has a lower sitelink volume (5) compared to the broad field of computer science (200).

## Why It Matters
Unconventional computing matters because it represents the frontier of the "study of computation." While traditional computer science often focuses on silicon-based, binary architectures, unconventional computing investigates "new or unusual methods" to solve computational problems. This field is significant because it pushes the boundaries of what is considered a computer, exploring alternatives that may offer different efficiencies or capabilities than standard methods.

As a distinct subclass of computer science, it provides a necessary category for academic and research endeavors that fall outside conventional paradigms. By encompassing a "wide range" of methods, this discipline ensures that the definition of computing remains flexible and inclusive of novel scientific breakthroughs. Its existence allows researchers to categorize and study experimental forms of processing that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream computer science.

## Notable For
*   **Broad Scope:** Defined specifically by its use of "new or unusual" methods rather than a single specific technology.
*   **Academic Classification:** Being a distinct, recognized subclass of the major field of computer science.
*   **Multilingual Documentation:** Availability of technical documentation in diverse languages, including English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Farsi.
*   **Niche Status:** Having a distinct Freebase ID (`/m/0b72hw`) and Microsoft Academic ID (`23375383`), indicating recognized status in knowledge bases despite a lower sitelink count (5) compared to its parent field.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
Unconventional computing is formally defined as "Computing by a wide range of new or unusual method." In the hierarchy of academic disciplines, it is positioned as a **subclass of computer science**. This classification aligns it with the general "study of computation" while distinguishing it through its focus on non-standard methodologies.

### Identifiers and Metadata
The entity is tracked across several knowledge graphs and academic databases using specific identifiers:
*   **Wikidata:** Associated with a specific wikidata description and 5 sitelinks.
*   **Freebase:** Identified by the string `/m/0b72hw`.
*   **Microsoft Academic:** Historically indexed under the ID `23375383` (note: this service has been discontinued).

### Linguistic and Global Presence
The concept of unconventional computing is documented across multiple linguistic regions. The Wikipedia entry is maintained in five languages:
*   **ar:** Arabic
*   **en:** English (Title: "Unconventional computing")
*   **es:** Spanish (Alias: Computacion no convencional)
*   **fa:** Farsi
*   **fr:** French

This multilingual presence indicates a geographically diverse, albeit niche, academic interest in the subject. The relatively low sitelink count (5) suggests it is a specialized sub-field compared to the broader concept of "computer science."

## References

1. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)