Computing as a Tool and a Discipline

• Fundamental sources
  • Mathematics - boolean algebra, Turning, Algorithms
  • Engineering - circuits, electronics, building complex systems
  • Business - Applications
  • Information Sciences (Such as Library) - classifying and storing information
  • Hard Sciences - simulations, experiments.
• Fundamental Differences
  • Mathematicians attempt to create a set of rules (axioms) and see what you can prove or disprove
  • Hard Scientists attempt to understand natural systems, and the rules associated with them (properties, laws,...)
  • Engineers - Build more and more complex systems to solve problems
• Big long quote on page 24
  • Study of algorithmic processes
  • Analysis of these algorithms
  • Implementation of these algorithms
  • What can be efficiently automated?
• Bodies of knowledge
  • Algorithms and Data Structures
  • Programming Languages
  • Architecture
  • Numerical and Symbolic Computation
  • Operating Systems
  • Software Methodology and engineering
  • Databases and information retrieval
  • AI/ Robotics
  • Human computer Interaction
  • Graphics
  • Organizational Informatics
  • Bioinformatics
• We either develop system programs/systems
• Or we develop application programs