Computer Science — An Overview
Computer science is a discipline that studies computers and computational systems, including software design, algorithms, and human interaction with technology. Primarily, computer science deals with computer systems theory, design, development, and implementation. A computer scientist designs computer software, creates new ways of using technology, and solves computing problems.
Experts predict that by 2029, this field will grow by 22 percent. This means that there is a need for computer science skills in almost every industry. This can be attributed to reliance on computers and technology in the modern world. Some of these skills include software development, computer and information systems management, web development, and computer programming.
Among the benefits, computer science empowers people. Open-source software, for instance, makes computer programs available for free to anyone. This provides people with tools to grow their businesses and increase their revenues. It also helps accelerate healthcare programs through genomics and personalized care innovations. Besides, computer science has helped further education by introducing e-learning (electronic learning). Perhaps the most notable benefit is enhanced communication. Social media, video conferencing applications, chatting apps, and software for sharing documents, photos, and videos are good examples.
Computer science dates back to the 19th century. Entrepreneurs and mathematicians theorized about and introduced complex mechanical machines that helped solve mathematical problems. Among the first computer science applications was a loom that French merchant Joseph Marie Jacquard invented in 1801 to make fabric designs. Another notable early computer system was the Turing machine by British scientist Alan Turing in 1936. Notably, modern computers are loosely modeled after Turing’s invention.
The discipline’s main study areas include artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, databases, machine learning, programming languages, numerical analysis, human-computer interactions, and software engineering, among others. Whichever the area of study, computer scientists employ computational thinking.
Computational thinking is a process where a computer scientist looks at a real-life problem and figures out how a computer can solve it. By understanding how computers process information, they can design programs and software to solve everyday tasks.
Software engineers, programmers, and coders are computer scientists who design and develop computer software. They use computational thinking and different computer types and operating systems to complete their tasks. They also look at different ways to solve complex tasks. In most cases ,there is more than one way to get something done. However, computer scientists settle on the most efficient way, which requires the least number of steps.
In practice, computer scientists have developed programs that execute tasks that humans can’t. For instance, they have designed and developed systems to predict natural disasters and issue alerts. Some systems also map out information regarding viral outbreaks.
Besides desktop computers and smartphones that people use daily, other applications exist and involve technologies people encounter every day. For instance, traffic lights that give signals to motorists, pedestrians, and other road users use programmed computer applications. GPS guidance systems such as Google Maps also gather user data, which it then uses to inform travelers of traffic conditions. Other examples of advanced applications include wearable gadgets such as smartwatches and interactive devices, many of which perform specific tasks in response to voice commands.
