Imagine a future world where computers can create universes - digital environments made from binary ones and zeros. Imagine that within these universes there exist biological forms that reproduce, grow, and think. Imagine plantlike forms, ant colonies, immune systems, and brains, all adapting, evolving, and getting better at solving problems. Imagine if our computers became greenhouses for a new kind of nature. Just think what digital biology could do for us. Perhaps it could evolve new designs for us, detect fraud using digital neurons, or schedule problems with ants. Perhaps it could detect hackers with immune systems or create music from digital seashells. Perhaps it would allow our computers to become creative and inventive. Now stop imagining. The updated eBook Edition of Digital Biology by Peter J. Bentley is an intriguing glimpse into the future of technology. Written in accessible, nontechnical language, the book explains how cutting-edge computer science will shape our world.

想象一下未来的世界，计算机可以创造宇宙--由二进制1和0组成的数字环境。想象一下，在这些宇宙中，存在着能够繁殖、生长和思考的生物形式。想象一下，类似植物的形式、蚂蚁群、免疫系统和大脑，都在适应、进化，并在解决问题方面变得更好。想象一下，如果我们的计算机成为一种新的自然界的温室。试想一下，数字生物学可以为我们做什么。也许它可以为我们进化新的设计，用数字神经元检测欺诈，或者用蚂蚁来安排问题。也许它可以用免疫系统检测黑客，或者用数字贝壳创造音乐。也许它能让我们的计算机变得有创造力和发明力。现在停止想象吧。彼得-J-本特利（Peter J. Bentley）的《数字生物学》电子书更新版是对未来技术的一次耐人寻味的窥视。该书以通俗易懂、非技术性的语言写成，解释了前沿的计算机科学将如何塑造我们的世界。