What Is Computer Science In Details.

Computer Science  

 Computer science is the study of both computer hardware and software design. It encompasses both the study of theoretical algorithms and the practical problems involved in implementing them through computer hardware and software. The study of computer science has many branches, including artificial intelligence, software engineering, programming and computer graphics. The need for computer science as a discipline has grown as computers become more integrated into our day-to-day lives and technology continues to advance.

History And Development Of Computer Science

The development root of Computer Science relates to some distinguishable fields, which are:

1. Mathematics: It gave the notions and introduced the concept of 'binary number system' and 'stored program'. It was understood that we could represent the information in the form of zeros and ones and store them in the system.
2. Physics and Electrical Engineering: It stroked Boolean algebra's idea for circuit design, where it became possible to produce arbitrary outputs (false or true) by combining the inputs of electrical impulses to a circuit by Boolean algebra. It became possible to design a circuit with binary value inputs and get the desired combination of 0's and 1's as its output. Hence, the invention of the transistor, invention of optical, electronic, and magnetic media for the transmission and storage of information came into existence.
3. Management information systems: These systems are known as Data processing systems that describe the method of processing the data. It led to the notion and evolution of concepts such as fetching information, searching, sorting, databases, and GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces.

All these fields led to the development of Computer Science.

1623: A scientist named Wilhelm Schickard designed and constructed the mechanical computer, the first working calculator.

1673: Gottfried Leibniz demonstrated a digital mechanical calculator known as Stepped Reckoner. Gottfried Leibniz was considered as the first computer scientist and information theorist.

1820: Thomas de Colmar invented Arithmometer, the first strong and reliable calculating machine to be used in offices for daily purposes. With this, he also launched the industry of mechanical calculator.

1822: Charles Babbage began to design the Difference Engine (the first automated mechanical calculator), which gave rise to the idea of Analytical Engine. The Analytical engine was the first programmable mechanical calculator. In 1834, he began to develop the Analytical Engine, and within two years, he sketched many salient features of the modern computer.

1843: Ada Lovelace translated and wrote a French article on Analytical Engine in which she published the algorithm to compute the Bernoulli numbers. It was considered the first published algorithm to be implemented on a computer.

1885: Tabulator was invented by Herman Hollerith, in which he used punched cards for processing the statistical information. With this, Herman's company became part of IBM.

1937: Howard Aiken initiated the ASCC/Harvard Mark me (known as the giant programmable calculator) after convincing IBM to develop it. The giant calculator was based on the Charles Analytical Engine. The ASCC/Harvard Mark I was able to use punched cards and CPU (Central Processing Unit) on its own. It was believed that after 100 years of impossible Babbage's dream, it had become possible, and the dream came true.

1940: The ENIAC and Atanasoff-Berry computer, which was known as the new and more powerful computing machines, were developed. The term 'computer' referred to the machines and their working. It was proved that more than calculations, computers could be used for other computation works also. The field of Computer Science was broadened to the study of computation.

1945: IBM (International Business Machines) founded the Watson Scientific Computing Laboratory at Columbia University, New York.

1950 and 1960: In this period, Computer Science started to establish as a distinct academic discipline.

1953: At the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory, the Cambridge Diploma in Computer Science began. The diploma was the world's first computer science degree program. On the other side, the first transistorized computer was built by the University of Manchester. The transistorized computer was known as the Transistor Computer.

1962: The first department of Computer Science was formed in the Purdue University, United States.

1959: Mohamed Atalla and Dawon Kahng invented the MOSFET or MOS, i.e., metal-oxide-silicon field-effect transistor at Bell Labs. MOS was the first truly compact transistor which could be miniaturized and mass-produced for wide uses. It became possible to build high-density integrated circuit chips known as the computer or microcomputer revolution.

Career Options in Computer Science

  Computer Science has sparked the world with its charming and fascinating theories, engineering, and experiments. It has led to various developments that saves much time of people daily and has become a helping hand for them.

The different specializations in the field of Computer Science have attracted a lot of students. So, if anyone has an interest in this field can pursue the degree of Computer Science from colleges or universities offering the program and make their career options in the following fields:

• Database Administrator
• Web Developer
• Software Analyst
• Software Engineer/ Hardware Engineer
• Computer System Operator
• Tester
• Coder
• Computer Graphics Designer
• Computer Networking Engineer and lots more.

     

                                                             -SHAHRUKH KHAN(CSE)