In the Beginning was Information

Definition 3: Syntax is meant to include all structural propertiesof the process of setting up information. At this second level weare only concerned with the actual sets of symbols (codes) andthe rules governing the way they are assembled into sequences(grammar and vocabulary) independent of any meaning theymay or may not have.Note: It has become clear that this level consists of two parts,namely:A) Code: Selection of the set of symbols usedB) The syntax proper: inter-relationships among the symbols.A) The Code: The System of Symbols Used for Setting upInformationA set of symbols is required for the representation of informationat the syntax level. Most written languages use letters, but a verywide range of conventions exists: Morse code, hieroglyphics, internationalflag codes, musical notes, various data processing codes,genetic codes, figures made by gyrating bees, pheromones (scents)released by insects, and hand signs used by deaf-mute persons.Several questions are relevant: What code should be used? Howmany symbols are available? What criteria are used for constructingthe code? What mode of transmission is suitable? How couldwe determine whether an unknown system is a code or not?The number of symbols: The number of different symbols q,employed by a coding system, can vary greatly, and dependsstrongly on the purpose and the application. In computer technologyonly two switch positions are recognised, so that binary codeswere created which comprise only two different symbols. Quaternarycodes comprising four different symbols, are involved in allliving organisms. The reason why four symbols represent an optimumin this case, is discussed in Chapter 6. The various alphabetsystems used by different languages consist of from 20 to 35 letters,and this number of letters is sufficient for representing all thesounds of the language concerned. Chinese writing is not based on58