'A brand name in computer science' (New York Times), David Gelertner has revolutionised computing with his work in the field of parallel processing. In this provocative new book, he urges the importance of a criterion of beauty in valuing the best of computers and software alike, and deplores the effects of a two cultures approach that sees beauty and computing as incompatible concepts. Technically accessible, wittily argued and stimulatingly visionary, Gelertner's book provides a manifesto for all future computer users, programmers, designers and manufacturers to follow into the next century.