Computer science is the study of computation and information: what can be computed at all, how to design algorithms that compute it efficiently, and how to build the hardware and software that carry algorithms out. Its theoretical foundation is usually dated to Alan Turing's 1936 paper describing an abstract computing machine, years before an electronic computer existed to run one. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Founded YearSourced to the subject's own accountDated to Alan Turing's 1936 paper, the field's theoretical foundation; the first university computer science departments did not open until the 1960s, so this year marks the idea, not the institution. Central QuestionCan every problem whose solution can be quickly verified also be quickly solved, the P versus NP question that remains the field's most consequential open problem? 2 ScopeComputer science is the study of computation, information and automation, spanning theoretical disciplines such as algorithms and the theory of computation and applied disciplines such as hardware and software design. 2 SignificanceComputer science began to be established as a distinct academic discipline only in the 1950s and early 1960s, with Cambridge's Diploma in Computer Science in 1953 among the first degree programs. It was built on theoretical foundations laid earlier by Charles Babbage's mechanical computing designs, Ada Lovelace's published algorithm, and Alan Turing's formal account of computability. 2 Connections
Associated With
Source Association for Computing Machinery (Wikipedia)
Source BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (Wikipedia)
Founded By
Source Wikipedia: Computer science
Has Scientist
Source Charles Babbage (Wikipedia)
Source Charles Bachman (Wikipedia)
Source Donald Knuth (Wikipedia)
Source Frederick P. Brooks Jr. (Wikipedia)
Source John Cocke (Wikipedia)
Source John von Neumann (Wikipedia)
Source Peter Naur (Wikipedia)
Source Robert Metcalfe (Wikipedia)
Source William Kahan (Wikipedia)
Has Theory
Source Big Omicron and Big Omega and Big ThetaDonald Knuth
Source First Draft of a Report on the EDVACJohn von Neumann
Source On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the EntscheidungsproblemAlan Turing
Studies
Source Algorithm (Wikipedia)
Source Compiler (Wikipedia)
Source Data Structure (Wikipedia)
Source Programming Language (Wikipedia)
Uses
Source William Shockley (Britannica)
Sources
1. History of Computer Science (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead sectionQuote, Lead section
The history of computer science began long before the modern discipline of computer science, usually appearing in forms like mathematics or physics. Developments in previous centuries alluded to the discipline that we now know as computer science.
2. Wikipedia: Computer science
WikipediaLead section
Computer science is the study of computation, information, and automation. Included broadly in the sciences, computer science spans theoretical disciplines to applied disciplines.
- Founded By: Alan Turing
View the Source Computer Science (Wikipedia)
WikipediaNaming sectionQuote, Naming section
In Europe, terms derived from contracted translations of the expression automatic information or information and mathematics are often used, e.g. informatique (French), Informatik (German), informatica (Italian, Dutch), informatica (Spanish, Portuguese).
William Shockley (Britannica)
Association for Computing Machinery (Wikipedia)
WikipediaAssociated With: Association for Computing Machinery, Lead sectionView the Source BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (Wikipedia)
WikipediaAssociated With: BCS, The Chartered Institute for ITView the Source Charles Bachman (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHas Scientist: Charles Bachman, lead paragraph, sentence 1Quote, Has Scientist: Charles Bachman, lead paragraph, sentence 1
Charles William Bachman III (December 11, 1924, July 13, 2017) was an American computer scientist, who spent his entire career as an industrial researcher, developer, and manager rather than in academia.
John Cocke (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHas Scientist: John Cocke, lead paragraph, sentence 1Quote, Has Scientist: John Cocke, lead paragraph, sentence 1
John Cocke (May 30, 1925, July 16, 2002) was an American computer scientist at IBM and recognized for his large contribution to computer architecture and optimizing compiler design.
William Kahan (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHas Scientist: William Kahan, lead paragraph, sentence 1Quote, Has Scientist: William Kahan, lead paragraph, sentence 1
William "Velvel" Morton Kahan (born June 5, 1933) is a Canadian mathematician and computer scientist, who is a professor emeritus at University of California, Berkeley.
Frederick P. Brooks Jr. (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHas Scientist: Frederick Brooks Jr., lead paragraph, sentence 1Quote, Has Scientist: Frederick Brooks Jr., lead paragraph, sentence 1
Frederick Phillips Brooks Jr. (April 19, 1931, November 17, 2022) was an American computer architect, software engineer, and computer scientist, best known for managing development of IBM's System/360 family of mainframe computers and the OS/360 software support package, then later writing candidly about those experiences in his seminal book The Mythical Man-Month.
Peter Naur (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHas Scientist: Peter Naur, lead paragraph, sentence 1Quote, Has Scientist: Peter Naur, lead paragraph, sentence 1
Peter Naur (25 October 1928-3 January 2016) was a Danish computer science pioneer and 2005 Turing Award winner.
Robert Metcalfe (Wikipedia)
WikipediaHas Scientist: Robert Metcalfe, Lead section, second sentenceQuote, Has Scientist: Robert Metcalfe, Lead section, second sentence
He co-invented Ethernet, co-founded 3Com, and formulated Metcalfe's law, which describes the effect of a telecommunications network.
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