Computing - Common Denominators

Introduction:

There are a whole plethora of concepts in computing where there is a need for many different vendors, people, software tools to 'speak a common language' - and that common language is / or will be different - depending on the different 'realm' within which we are discussing.

However, there is a wonderful analogy to go with these discussions of a 'common denominator', and that's your local, international, airport.

here's a scenario for consideration:

Take Hyamie Jesubukal - from the hinterlands of Indonesia, he wins the lottery - and decides he's going to travel abroad and see the world. However Hyamie doesn't know English and the lottery payment was in seashells, but he manages to get them converted into the local Indoneisan currency.. - Un-daunted by his lack of language & currency compliance, he heads to the airport - takes his trusty-darts out of their case and throws one at the departures board and gets on a plane to Zimbabwe.

Now - remember he has a bit of local currency in his pocket, but speaks no English...

When he gets off the plane (an international flight, mind you) in Zimbabwe, he neither has local currency nor speaks the local language.
HOWEVER: there is hope for Mr. Jesubukal, he can find someone who speaks English and he can convert his local Indonesian currency into US Dollars - which can then be converted into Zimbabwe currency.

What are the US Dollars and the English Language here? -

They are "Common Denominators"

Simply & easily - no matter what International Airport you are in - you'll find someone who speaks English (we won't discuss the difference(s) between British, American, Australian English, for now), and you'll find someone who will exchange currency for US Dollars. - they are the 'exchange-standards'...

In the same way that Dollars & English are common-exchange methods for currency and language there are a whole bunch of places in the computing world where we need 'common denominators' - just a 'few' are mentioned in this list:

• language (again) - primarily for command structure(s) and documentation (printed & electronic)
• network protocols - many vendors have 'proprietary' network protocols - but almost every computer 'speaks' the TCP/IP protocols and so when computer "A" must exchange network traffic with computer "Z", they will typically exchange traffic with a "TCP/IP" protocol -
• e-mail protocols: - same concept as network protocols
• 'bus' architectures - how a computer allows additions to it's hardware - the "PCI" bus has become an industry standard
• cable-connectors - this is a 'hardware' thing - but - again - the 'common denominator' is typically some connector that all vendors agree on

last updated: Friday_19_April_2002;dw4; revID: 1a