See also: Block box (homonymy)
Block box is a technical term for a device, a system, or an object represented in an elementary way from the point of view of its entries and its exits, but which one cannot predict the values of the exits starting from the value of the entries.
One can almost all represent in the form of a block box: a Transistor, a algorithm, a Human , or Internet.
The opposite of a block box is a system whose mechanisms are available to include/understand operation of it (like a Free software for example), which one calls sometimes a white Boîte.
The only conceivable means to discover the interior of a block box is to play with . (Rene Thom)
Origin
This concept of block box would come at the origin from the technique from military telecommunications, taking again the expression used to indicate captured enemy apparatuses which could not be open (and examined) because they could be trapped.A precise theorization of the principle is made by Wiener (which worked inter alia on the homing of anti-aircraft missile). It uses the black Boite like a tool making it possible to consider only the exchanges (external), by omitting voluntarily operation (interior).
Some current uses
- In electronic, elements sealed of replaceable equipment.
- In data-processing Programming and software Genius, the test of the block box is used to test a program by checking that the exits obtained are well those planned for entries given. The block box term is used because the program thus tested is not studied.
- In the Transport S, the term of block box (see Block box (aeronautical)) refers to all the systems used to collect information, and to preserve them in the event of accident for a later analysis.
- In the Informatique in general, a program block box that the user cannot study (often because of an inalienable source code).
- In Mathematical model it is a case of limitation.
- In physics, a block box is a system of which the internal structure is unknown.
- In Philosophy, and Psychology, the Comportementalisme regards the human spirit as a block box.
- As regards inventory control, there exist programs of limps black based on specific algorithms.
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