Computer science is a relatively young science. It arose in the middle of the last century. What were the prerequisites for the occurrence? Most likely, these are sharply increased volumes of information that have hit humanity. Next, we will consider what computer science is, the definition of this science, its purpose.
Emergence and development
So, give a definition of computer science. It is difficult to do it right away. This science appeared with the advent of a computer, which acts as a technical tool that can enhance human capabilities and process huge amounts of information. Since this is still a very young science, there are still disputes between scientists about the definition, directions of development, as well as its role in society. All this only says that this science is developing very rapidly.
Our generation saw the emergence of modern scientific technology, which is based on information. What is information? In computer science, the definition of this word has more than one meaning. It represents a new resource of mankind, joining other well-known resources: energy, natural, human. An interesting fact is that every day it only increases.
Information
What is information? In computer science, the definition of this term can be described as follows: it is a set of signals that are perceived by the human brain or animal nervous system using sensors and software systems that reflect any properties of objects, as well as phenomena associated with physical activity. The nature of such signals should imply the ability to store, transmit, and also transform or process them. The science that studies all these processes is what computer science is. The definition of this science consists of such concepts as “information” and “automation”.
The word came into circulation in the second half of the last century in France, in order to mean the processing of information by automatic methods. The definition of computer science in Russia at first meant documentary, storage of research, librarianship. And now this science already means a completely different sphere and has penetrated into all sectors of human life. It covers areas that are related to the maintenance of information systems, which includes equipment, software.
Computer Science Concepts
It is noticeable that the definition of computer science is explanatory and does not claim to be any limitation. After all, it is based on such general categories as “data”, “objects”, “signals”, etc. But these very concepts and definitions of computer science are easy to explain.
Signals are a dynamic form of information that is transmitted (transported) at a distance using material media called communication channels. The science of information transfer is what computer science is.
In computer science, the definition of data is as follows: they are a static form of information that is transmitted over time using material media. They are called information storage devices.
If you represent the process of transmitting information in an abstract way, then it can be divided into three main elements:
- Sourse of information.
- Channel for transmitting information.
- Information receiver.
The interaction of these three components generates information, that is, some kind of message. The concepts of “knowledge” and “data” can be put on a par with information.
Knowledge is the definition of computer science. They are high-level information called semantic. On the basis of it, with the help of logical reasoning, certain semantic conclusions are obtained, also called semantic.
Goals
The basic definitions of computer science are “program”, “model” and “algorithm”. The model is a conditional analogue of a certain object that has certain properties. The purpose of the model is the study of this object. The algorithm is a way to find a way out of any problem situation. It clearly defines the sequence of all necessary actions. A program is just the algorithm itself, which is presented in one of the programming languages. The main goal of computer science as a science is the search for knowledge in all spheres of human activity using computers.
Before this science the most different tasks are posed. The most important are the following:
- Development of information processing technology.
- The study of various information processes.
- The introduction of computers in all areas of human life.
- Creation of new, improved technologies that process large flows of information.
Computer science is a science that cannot exist separately from others, since its goal is to create new information technologies that will be applied in solving problems in various fields.
Directions
The main directions of development are applied, theoretical and technical informatics.
Applied computer science is creating a knowledge base, developing methods for automating production. At present, it is the main catalyst for scientific and technological progress. Applied informatics saturates all areas of activity with information.
The vocation of theoretical informatics is the development of general theories of search, processing, and storage of information, identifying dependencies in the creation and transformation of information, studying the relationship of a person with a computer, the development of technology.
Technical informatics is an industry that includes automated systems for the processing of information, the creation of new models of computer technology, artificial intelligence, robots, etc.
The structure, form and measurement of information
The most important characteristics that information possesses are structure and form. The structure of information is called that which determines the relationship between the elements that make up its composition. The main property of information is systematic.
A system is called a collection that has properties that are not inherent in any of the elements individually included in it.
Forms of presentation of information are different:
- Binary (information that is represented by machine code).
- Sound.
- Graphic (photographs, drawings, drawings).
- Textual and symbolic (letters, numbers, signs).
- Video.
In the case where information is simultaneously represented by several forms, this is called a multimedia presentation.
The standard measure for information is an abstract object that can be in two different states. Such an object is called binary or binary. It contains information of 1 bit. It is from this unit of measurement of information that larger bytes, kilobytes, megabytes and so on come. They are operated by computer science. Determining the amount of information today is one of the main tasks.
Computer Science and Technology
Discussions about changing the role that information began to play in people's lives can be found in scientific and fiction. What are these changes expressed in?
- Over the past few decades, one can observe a constant acceleration in the rate of increase in information. Information was even called the only resource of society that never decreases. As a result, a certain barrier appeared in the processes of its processing. Sometimes it simply does not make sense to collect and store information, since there is no way to process it and use it rationally.
- The proportion of communication problems has increased. This means that information is distorted or lost during transmission.
- Great difficulties arise due to geographical, linguistic, terminological, administrative and other barriers.
- The practical use of information often becomes impossible due to the fact that it is randomly dispersed across various sources.
Other definitions of science
The ongoing work to solve all these problems has led to the emergence of an independent scientific discipline - computer science. Its subject was informational properties, the behavior of information in various systems, methods for its collection, processing, storage and transmission. A very multifaceted science is what computer science is. In computer science, the definition of all of the above is called information technology. This wording is not the only one. There is the following definition of computer science: it is a science that studies the description, presentation, formalization and application of the knowledge that has been accumulated using computer technology. Her goal is to gain new knowledge.
The use of the term “computer science”, which denotes a field of scientific knowledge, is not universally recognized. In the United States, for example, this area is often referred to as computer science.
Computer Science and Society
A feature of information technology is a different area of their application. This is primarily due to the universality of their nature. The flip side of this versatility is the difficulties that arise when formalizing descriptions.
The result of the development of information technology is the processes leading to the global informatization of society. This means that more and more people are becoming involved in activities related to the information industry. Over the past couple of decades, very powerful shifts have occurred in the structures of the market for hardware and software for computer equipment. It is evolving from a market for services and products to a technology market.
All of the above suggests that the definition of computer science is very multifaceted. This is a science that over time will become something more.