Question
What Is Computer Science?
Computer science is the study of computation: how problems can be solved step by step by algorithms, how information is represented and processed, and how to design the hardware and software that carry it out. It is as much about ideas and logic as it is about machines.
At its core sit a few big questions. What can be computed at all, and what cannot? Given a problem, what is the most efficient way to solve it? How should information be structured so it can be searched and changed quickly? These questions were being asked before modern computers existed. Alan Turing gave the field its theoretical foundation in 1936, defining what it means for something to be computable.
From that core, computer science branches widely. Some of it is close to mathematics, such as the theory of algorithms and computation. Some is close to engineering, such as designing processors, operating systems and networks. Other areas, such as artificial intelligence, graphics, security and human-computer interaction, sit somewhere in between. Programming runs through all of it as a practical tool, but the subject is far broader than writing code.
That breadth is why computer science is studied both as a science in its own right and as a foundation for almost every other field that now depends on computation.
Frequently asked
Is computer science just coding?
No. Programming is a tool computer scientists use, but the subject is broader. It covers algorithms, data structures, the theory of computation, how computers are built, artificial intelligence, security, and more. You can study a lot of computer science with very little coding.
What do you study in a computer science degree?
A typical degree covers programming, algorithms and data structures, the mathematics behind computing, how computers and operating systems work, databases and networks, and usually options in areas like artificial intelligence, graphics or security.
Is computer science hard?
It can be demanding, because it combines logical problem-solving with a fair amount of mathematics. Many people find the ideas rewarding once they click. It rewards practice and persistence more than raw talent.