Computer science is a relatively young science. It originated in the middle of the last century. What was the prerequisite for the emergence? Most likely, these are sharply increased volumes of information that have fallen upon humanity. Next, we will consider what computer science is, the definition of this science, its goals.
Appearance and development
So, define computer science. It's hard to do it right off the bat. This science appeared with the advent of a computer, acting as a technical tool capable of enhancing human capabilities and processing huge amounts of information. Since this is still a very young science, disputes still arise between scientists over 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 has seen the emergence of modern scientific technology based on information. What is information? In computer science, the definition of this word isnot just one value. It represents a new resource of mankind, joining other well-known resources: energy, natural, human. Interesting is the fact 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 the nervous system of animals 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 possibility of storing, transmitting, as well as transforming or processing 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 use in the second half of the last century in France, in order to denote the processing of information by automatic methods. The definition of informatics in Russia first meant documentary, research storage, librarianship. And now this science already means a completely different sphere and has penetrated into all sectors of human life. It covers areas related to the maintenance of information systems, which includes equipment, software.
Informatics concepts
It is noticeable that the definition of computer science is explanatory and does not pretend to be any limitation. After all, it is based on such generalcategories like "data", "objects", "signals", etc. But these 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 carriers 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 storage devices.
If we represent the process of information transfer in an abstract way, then it can be divided into three main elements:
- Source of information.
- Information transmission channel.
- 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 the science of computer science. They are high-level information called semantic. On its basis, 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, which has certain properties. The purpose of the model is to study this object. The algorithm is a way to find a way out of any problem situation. He clearlydetermines the sequence of all necessary actions. The 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 areas of human activity with the help of computers.
This science has a variety of tasks. The most important are the following:
- Development of technology that processes information.
- Research 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 used to solve problems in various fields.
Directions
The main directions of development are applied, theoretical and technical informatics.
Applied Informatics creates a knowledge base, develops methods for automating production. At the present time, 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 for searching, processing, and storing information, identifying dependencies in the creation and transformationinformation, the study of human-computer communication, the development of technology.
Technical informatics is a branch that includes automated systems for processing information, creating new models of computer technology, artificial intelligence, robots, etc.
Structure, shape and dimension of information
The most important characteristics that information has are structure and form. The structure of information is that which determines the links between the elements that make up its composition. The main property of information is consistency.
A system is a collection that has properties that are not inherent in any of its individual elements.
Forms of presentation of information are different:
- Binary (information that is represented by machine code).
- Sonic.
- Graphic (photos, drawings, drawings).
- Text and symbolic (letters, numbers, signs).
- Video.
When information is simultaneously presented in several forms, this is called a multimedia presentation.
An abstract object, which can be in two different states, is chosen as the standard of measure for information. Such an object is called binary or binary. It contains information of 1 bit. It is from this unit of information that larger bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, and so on come. They operate in computer science. Determining the amount of informationtoday is one of the main tasks.
Computer science and technology
Discourses about the changing role that information began to play in people's lives can be found in scientific and fiction literature. What are these changes?
- Over the past few decades, one can observe a constant acceleration in the rate of increase in information. Information has even been called the only resource of society that never wanes. 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 and use it rationally.
- The proportion of problems in communications has increased. This means that information is corrupted or lost during transmission.
- There are great difficulties due to geographical, linguistic, terminological, administrative and other barriers.
- Practical use of information often becomes impossible due to the fact that it is randomly dispersed among different 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 - that's 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 isstill the following definition of computer science: it is a science that studies the description, representation, formalization and application of the knowledge that has been accumulated with the help of computer technology. Its goal is to gain new knowledge.
The use of the term "computer science", which denotes a field of scientific knowledge, is not generally recognized. In the United States, for example, this field is more commonly referred to as computer science.
Computer science and society
A feature of information technology is a different scope of their application. This is due primarily to the universality of their character. The reverse side of this universality is the difficulties that arise in the formalization of descriptions.
The result of the development of information technologies is the processes leading to the global informatization of society. This means that more and more people are getting involved in activities related to the information industry. Over the past couple of decades, there have been very powerful shifts in the structures of the market for hardware and software for computer technology. It is transforming from a service and product market into a technology market.
All of the above suggests that the definition of computer science is very multifaceted. It is a science that will eventually become something more.
