Today’s landscape demands a profound understanding of technology and further its role in human behavior.
But what is the role of Computer Science (CS) in this scenario? Is CS a Software Development methodology? Is it even a part of the Software Development Life Cycle?
Let’s take a deeper look at Computer Science in IT!
What is Computer Science?
Computer Science (CS) comprises all edges related to computing, including algorithms and systems, from theoretical foundations to functional structures.
In terms of the development process definition, Computer Science often starts with the theory-design process and ends with development and application.
Moreover, its foundations lie in mathematical and engineering principles, allowing Computer Science to conceptualize the processes of building structures while leveraging languages, frameworks, and tech stacks.
The Origins of Computer Science
The first computer arose in 1882 with Charles Babbage's invention, which led to him receiving the name "the father of the computer."
Likewise, the first use of the term Computer Science was in the Communication of the ACM, aiming to show it differed from other computing-related fields.
The concept of CS gained even more popularity when it became an academic discipline. Cambridge University added a Computer Science Diploma in 1953, and Purdue University created a CS department in 1962.
How does Computer Science work?
As expected, Computer Science is a rigorous process involving three main stages:
- Basis Idea: At this stage, teams decide what to focus on, capturing ideas and recognizing which processes to harness. This step also helps in making decisions about the study vision to acknowledge the best ways to proceed.
- Monitoring Process: This step entails selecting information based on the approach selected in the last stage. It also comprises the cleaning of unnecessary information that would delay the analysis and the creation of categories within the goals.
- Operating Process: The operation edge involves implementing all tactic approaches taken to succeed in the outcomes. Not only does it include information on how to perform and allocate the process resources. It also enables the methods to get the appropriate results and analysis.
What are the Types of Computer Science?
Computer Science implies knowledge of different areas, such as:
Data Structures
A Data Structure can be defined as a selected format for organizing, processing, and storing data to ease access and work.
Moreover, Data Structures are key in stating how information is organized so both machines and humans can better understand it.
In Computer Science, Data Structures allow data storage to be used with algorithms, also known as Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). Each data structure has info on data values, relationships, and functions.
Theory of Computation
Known as Automata Theory, the Theory Of Computation is a branch of CS that deals with computation logic regarding simple machines.
This branch allows Computer Scientists to understand how machines compute different functions to solve specific problems.
What’s more, it’s key to develop methods that allow the description and analysis of the dynamic behavior discrete systems may have.
Information Architecture
In the context of Computer Science, Information Architecture (IA) organizes structures and information environments.
The process encloses specialized research, modeling, and validation techniques to develop detailed recommendations to organize information while acknowledging its interactions.
These recommendations help scientists and teams to develop scalable, sustainable methods for producing what is known as a site’s or product’s IA.
Computer Programming
Programming consists of writing code to ease precise computer operations when building software.
Yet, the software development process includes the process in which development teams enforce requirements gathering and code structure.
As a result, teams can deliver high quality software while complying with quality assurance standards.
Applications of Computer Science
Computer Science can be seen in a wide variety of fields, such as:
- Gaming: CS has a key role in game design and development! You can see its role from game engine dev to gameplay mechanics implementation. Based on continuous improvement, scientists can harness Computer Science to develop high quality software harnessing tech such as Virtual Reality.
- Development: Likewise, Computer Science helps Project Managers and development teams design and maintain systems while understanding the processes and reasoning behind them. Especially when harnessing approaches such as the Agile Methodology, CS is also vital to ensure a security-driven approach to development.
- Healthcare: Within healthcare, CS can structure received data for better decision-making processes. For example, it can help hospitals and insurance companies analyze user data based on medical history to narrow down diagnoses. Moreover, it can help physicians find new data to work with.
- Finance: With its theoretical knowledge of processes and structures, Computer Science has become a useful edge for finance operations. Its informational structures allow teams to automate analysis tasks while ensuring detailed analysis to focus on quality assurance regarding laws and regulations for both users and companies.
Pros and Cons of Computer Science
Like everything, Computer Science has its benefits and drawbacks:
Pros of Computer Science
- Cyber Security: With its pattern analysis, CS is essential to prevent systems from cyber attacks, such as getting hacked, and determine potential failures or technological issues.
- Global Access: Since many areas worldwide use computers, CS covers an immense panorama, and diverse fields can take advantage of it.
- Worldwide Improvement: Computer Scientists' studies have the power to improve society by making people's lives easier.
Cons of Computer Science
- Repetition: While there are several automation techniques, CS does have several repetitive steps that may seem redundant or boring.
- Outsourcing: Businesses can outsource Computer Science to third-party providers, which, if not done right, can delay operations.
- Processes: As a growing subject, it’s vital to track improvements and modifications in computer technology to ensure high quality Software Development
Computer Science vs Software Engineering
The Software Development methodology focuses on the practical skills needed to build software applications.
Whether to build a product from scratch or to upgrade an existing one to standards surrounding quality assurance, engineers and development teams work on the operations surrounding development, continuous improvement, and maintenance.
Contrariwise, Computer Science helps develop new algorithms that harness the developed software programs.
While it encloses coding, it also emphasizes Computation Theory and a more comprehensive range of subjects.
The process starts with requirements gathering, and some fields included are algorithms, Machine Learning, Database Management, and information security.
Why is Computer Science Important?
The Computer Science field will most definitely keep growing, fostering development environments and becoming a key player in the tech landscape.
How does Computer Science impact the world? Well, the insights gathered by CS have wide applications, from predicting natural disasters to scanning checks and customer service.
There's no doubt of its importance when thinking of it from a Software Development methodology perspective.
As the future becomes increasingly data-driven, it's safe to say there is no future end for Computer Science as a growing source of information.
Conclusion
Computer Science is a key element in building a strong connection between humans and technology.
With its logical thinking to solve real-life problems, it’s vital to help devs and development teams build leading digital products.
