Visualizing Computation/Function Machine

Function machine is a popular metaphor for visualizing input and output of a procedure, or the idea of a function, and related notions. It is accessible to toddlers, yet is robust enough to be taken to college-level work. History and Known Uses ... What is Being Visualized Input and output Function Visualization Techniques The basic visual metaphor is a machine that "does something" to objects that enter into one of its openings, and exit through another. In this form, it immediately supports: Input and output Inverse functions ("machine working backwards") Domain and range ("what can go into the machine and what can come out") Extensions of the metaphor include: Iteration and cycles("a tube connecting the output of the machine to the input") Multi-variable functions ("many input openings") Composition of functions ("two or more machines attached together")