But how do we precisely relate a (biochemical) network, the components of which are molecules and reactions, to a (computational) algorithm, the components of which are symbolic properties and events? We can in fact reduce this as the task of comparing the functionality of different networks: these can be all biochemical networks or a mixture of biochemical and algorithmic networks. To this end, we will discuss the notion of network emulation, by which a network can, in a specific sense, impersonate the functionality of another network that is easier to analyse. Comparing networks and algorithms in such a way is actually a frequent activity in computer science but is mostly used for discrete systems such as software programs and communication protocols [25]. Here, we focus on continuous versions of those notions that are more appropriate for the analysis of dynamical system properties and hence for biochemical networks. We expect that the sophistication and usefulness of techniques for comparing network functionality will grow in the future.