Combinatorial hierarchy is a mathematical structure

Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...

 of bit-strings

Bit-string physics

Bit-string physics is an emerging body of theory which considers the universe to be a process of operations on strings of bits. Bit-string physics is often associated with A.F. Parker-Rhodes' combinatorial hierarchy, which is notable for its relationship with the electromagnetic and gravitational...

 generated by an algorithm

Algorithm

In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function. Algorithms are used for calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning...

 based on discrimination (exclusive-or between bits). It was originally discovered by A.F. Parker-Rhodes

Frederick Parker-Rhodes

Frederick Parker-Rhodes was an English linguist, plant pathologist, computer scientist, mathematician, mystic, and mycologist.-Background & education:...

 in the 1960s, and is interesting because of physical interpretations that relate it to quantum mechanics

Quantum mechanics

Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...

. For example, values close to the fine structure constant and the proton-mass gravitational coupling constant appear in the generation of the Hierarchy.