Computers are all around us and used in almost everything we do nowadays. I’ve talked a lot about data science specifically, but it’s time to take a step back and talk about computer science. This post is for those of you who are interested in computer science but not really yet sure what the term encompasses.
What is Computer Science?
Computer science is the study of computers and the systems that make them up. Unlike engineers who focus more on the hardware, computer scientists focus more on software. Computer science is made up of sub-disciplines:
- Software development: What people usually think of when thinking about computer science, namely writing code and creating software programs. This means using programming languages such as Python, Java, and C++ to perform tasks.
- Networks: Understanding how computer networks work, how data is transmitted, and how to optimize performance. They work with the day-to-day operations of network systems.
- Cybersecurity: This is the field dedicated to protecting digital information, which has become increasingly important in protecting both businesses and everyday people.
- Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning: If you guys read my other posts, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that these are involved in computer science. They involve creating systems that are able to make decisions like a human can.
Why Computer Science?
As I said before, computers are all around us and have become an integral part of our daily lives. This is why computer science has become increasingly valuable. Here are some reasons why you should consider studying in this field:
- High demand: The tech industry continues to grow and seeks computer scientists. Additionally, the career opportunities that follow from learning computer science are diverse and numerous.
- Innovation: Computer science allows you to combine creativity with technical knowledge to create things like apps or algorithms.
- Solving world problems: Computer science has the opportunity to help numerous fields and already has improved many. Examples include computer science’s influence in healthcare, education, and even in our daily lives.
How to Begin
Already being here in this blog and researching computer science is a great way to get involved in the field! To go even further, here are some ways to start exploring:
- Online courses: Online platforms like Codecademy, freeCodeCamp, and even some colleges like Harvard offer courses giving an introductory view into computer science or some specific programming languages.
- Community: Coding communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, or Reddit can allow you to learn from and work with others.
- Projects: Start by creating simple projects, and gradually take on harder challenges. By practicing your skills in these projects, you will continue to improve.
Conclusion
Computer science is a field that will only continue to grow and has something to offer everyone. It has the potential to help the world and by pursuing it you can help make a change in our community. I hope that you all learned something about computer science, or at least are encouraged to learn more about it!