Computer science

Computer science is the study of computers and their applications, in all aspects, as well as the mathematical structures that relate to computers and computation.

Only in the last third of the 20th century has computer science been recognized as a separate discipline and developed its own methods and terminology. It has roots in electrical engineering, mathematics and linguistics, and contains elements that are demonstratably scientific, some elements that are pure mathematics, at its practical end becomes engineering, and some people even relate it to an art.

Computer science is closely related to software engineering, information systems, and computer hardware engineering. There is considerable overlap between the topics and practitioners of these fields, though important differences exist. Software engineering emphasizes the construction of large, reliable software systems in a productive, systematic, repeatable manner. Information systems (also termed management information systems) emphasizes operations, specifically the installation, administration, and application of software and computer systems. Computer engineering emphasizes the construction of computer hardware. Computer science emphasizes the analysis and theory of the building blocks used by software engineers, Information system administrators, and computer hardware engineers.

Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes

- Edsger Dijkstra

Table of contents

1 Major subfields

1.1 Mathematical foundations
1.2 Theoretical computer science
1.3 Applied computer science
1.4 Specific techniques

2 See Also

Algorithmic information theory
Algorithms
Compilers
Complexity theory
Computability theory
Cryptography
Denotational semantics
Graph theory
Information theory
Lexical Analysis
Microprogramming
Operating systems
Theory of computation (or theoretical computer science)
Type theory