- #1
wil3
- 179
- 1
Is there some process by which a computer is able to keep track of time in a linear order? Ie, how can a computer determine when a fixed time increment of arbitrary length has passed?
Please don't dismiss this until you've at least thought about it a little bit. Is there a specific fixed frequency signal that serves as the basis of unit time for a computer? I was thinking it had something to do with the 60 hz signal, but that seems to irregular to give the machine a definite time interval.
This question can be generalized to digital systems of timekeeping in general. Given varying power and resistance in different conditions, what allows constant, steady timekeeping?
Please don't dismiss this until you've at least thought about it a little bit. Is there a specific fixed frequency signal that serves as the basis of unit time for a computer? I was thinking it had something to do with the 60 hz signal, but that seems to irregular to give the machine a definite time interval.
This question can be generalized to digital systems of timekeeping in general. Given varying power and resistance in different conditions, what allows constant, steady timekeeping?