Though Granovetter devised this diagram in the context of human relations, we have found it to be a powerful notation for understanding the relations between computational objects in a network. As the foundation for Capability Security . As a Cryptographic Protocol implementing distributed capabilities. As a Public Key Infrastructure , where certificates act like messages, transmitting authorization among the players. As material from which to build a diversity of Financial Bearer Instruments .
E is a simple, secure, distributed, pure-object, persistent programming language.
E blends the lambda calculus, capability security, and modern cryptography. In integrating these diverse features, E brings the diverse virtues of the Granovetter Operator to life. Throughout the paper we present our examples in E, explaining the language briefly as needed. Since we can only touch upon each perspective briefly within the space allowed for this paper, we have chosen breadth over depth, so that even a brief treatment can unify the perspectives. Hopefully our references and future writings will provide the needed depth as well.