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Computer science: A language of technology
Article in ACM SIGCSE Bulletin · January 2007
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Reviewed Papers
Computer Science:
A Language of Technology
Avi Cohen Bruria Haberman
The Ministry of Education Computer Science Dept.
2 Hashlosha Street Holon Institute of Technology, and
Yad-Eliahu Davidson Institute of Science Education
Tel-Aviv 61092 Israel The Weizmann Institute of Science
[email protected] Rehovot,76110 Israel
[email protected] Abstract: The field of computer science has been rapidly developing since its recognition as a stand-alone discipline.
The dynamics of the field led to its inadequate public image and posed challenges regarding how to make computer
science studies more appealing to students. Recently, computer science has been recognized as a language of natural
sciences, and its synergy with these sciences became noteworthy. This paper illuminates another facet of computer
science. We call for the acknowledgement of computer science as a scientific paradigm, which is a language of
technology. The language describes structures, processes, relationships, and communications. We believe that
this view expands the responsibility of computer science in the contemporary world and legitimates its status as a basic
language that is essential for acquiring scientific and technological literacy.
Categories and Subject Descriptors: K.3.2 [Computers and Education]: Computer and Information Science
Education – computer science education
General Terms: Human factors
Keywords: Contemporary computer science, scientific paradigm, language of technology, computer science education
1. INTRODUCTION makers [10]. There are many factors that have contributed
Educators agree that it is important to ensure that high- to the decline in student interest, some of which relate to
school graduates will be ready to meet the demands of the lack of understanding the essence of computing and its
tomorrow's high-tech society. Recently, the importance of importance in the rapidly developing high-tech world [12].
all students becoming "computer savvy, not merely Moreover, students have not yet recognized the benefits of
computer literate" has become increasingly recognized studying the subject, as it may serve as an entry point to
[11]. The computer science education community have other disciplines: "one can major in computer science and
stated that computer science provides the knowledge and do anything" [17]. Recently, initiatives to reduce the
skills foundation for contemporary technological advances. declining enrollments have been undertaken. For example,
For example: "Maintaining our ability to meet present and the Computer Science Teachers Association has worked
future challenges requires us to acknowledge computer tirelessly to promote computing education in high schools
science as a core element of all STEM (science, [12,14]; the ACM Education Board has developed an
technology, engineering, and mathematics) initiatives" [14, informational brochure to counter the lack of awareness of
p. 15]. Strengthening the status of computer science as a opportunities in the computing field. In addition,
full-fledged and self-contained subject in the educational institutions have pioneered pedagogical strategies aimed at
system is most important, with expectations that (like increasing the attractiveness and relevance of computing to
mathematics) it should be taught as an essential core a wide range of students [7,11]. However, "the problem
subject. However, this mission is not yet simple to achieve, nonetheless persists" [12]; the status of the subject in the
probably due to the field's public image. The increasing educational system is still underestimated and computer
complexity of the field led to an inadequate external image science has not yet been recognized by the educational
and poses new challenges in motivating students pursuing system as a whole as a subject to be studied that provides
computer science as a career choice or a course of study in the knowledge and skills foundation for contemporary
which to major [4,9,14]. technological advances. Addressing the negative image of
In the recent years, enrollments in computer science the computing profession still poses a great challenge [10]
undergraduate programs have been dropping, a and the need for a simple and attractive description of its
phenomenon that has raised great concern not only in essence is obvious. In this paper we suggest how to address
academia, but in the ICT industry and among policy this problem.
inroads — SIGCSE Bulletin - 65 - Volume 39, Number 4 2007 December
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Based on these considerations, we call for the
2. COMPUTER SCIENCE – A LANGUAGE OF acknowledgement of computer science as a scientific
TECHNOLOGY paradigm, which is a language of technology. We
believe that this view expands the responsibility of
2.1 The Need To Illuminate Computer Science computer science in the modern world and legitimates
Along with the rapid development of computer science, studying computer science as a "basic language" in the
many efforts have been made to make it more educational system, starting at the K-12 level and
understandable and approachable, for insiders, proceeding to scientific and engineering faculties.
prospective students, and outsiders (especially Moreover, we believe that such a description of
stakeholders and policy makers) [3,4,14]. computer science to prospective students, educators,
The authors of this paper have personally and policy makers, can contribute to efforts to
experienced difficulties in convincing policy makers in revitalize interest in computing programs and in
the K-12 education system about the increasing computing itself as a career path.
importance of computer science as part of the required
knowledge base of every citizen in a technological and 2.2 Is Computer Science a Language?
global society. These difficulties probably arise owing The concept of a language is not so simple to define: "As
to an inadequate public image of the field: "In the face with any complex, emergent concept, language is
of confusing definitions of computer literacy, information somewhat resistant to definition; however, most would
fluency, … many schools have lost sight of the fact that agree that language is a system of communication or
computer science is a scientific discipline and not a reasoning using representation along with metaphor and
“technology” that simply supports learning in other some manner of logical grammar. Many languages use
curriculum areas" [14, p. 14]. Specifically, during the last gestures, sounds, symbols, or words, and aim at
year, the first author (who recently has served as the communicating concepts, ideas, meanings, and thoughts,
head of the computer science department in the Israeli though the problem of linguistic vagueness often rears its
Ministry of Education) encountered a most problematic head when we try to distinguish between these things."
situation owing to deep budget cutbacks; as a result, it [http://en.mcfly.org/Language accessed: May 6 2007].
become crucial to justify to policy makers why Does computer science have the characteristics
studying computer science is essential. As part of common to a language? The answer follows from its
searching for convincing arguments, he performed original description: "The discipline of computing is
face-to-face interviews with computing professionals the systematic study of algorithmic processes that
(i.e., high-school teachers, faculty in academia, and describe and transform information" [3, p.12].
practitioners in high-tech industry). Because of the Actually, the discipline provides a means of
inconsistent self-image of computer science [14], it expressiveness, reasoning, and communicating by use
was not surprising that the study subjects stated of conventional symbols that can be employed to
different descriptions of the domain. Some were related describe processes, structures, relationships and
to skills, critical thinking and problem-solving communications.
challenges characteristic of computer science; others Computer science is considered to be closely related to
described computer science as a branch of applied mathematics. The first look at scientific language is taken
mathematics; others chose to refer to expertise related from mathematics: "Mathematics is pure language - the
to core technologies and applications. Most focused on language of science. It is unique among languages in its
algorithmics as the main issue of computer science. ability to provide precise expression for every thought or
The dichotomous description of computer science in concept that can be formulated in its terms" [1, p. 435]. To
terms of (a) characteristic problem-solving skills expand on the concept of computer science as a language,
versus (b) core technologies and applications motivated we can look at the common characteristics of a language
us to seek a simple description that bonds both aspects. within computer science itself. Like any other field,
Following the statement that computer science is a computer science has its own brand of conceptual and
scientific discipline [5,14], we agree that the misconception technical terminology. In some cases, a word or concept in
computer science equals technology should be diminished general usage has a different and specific meaning within
and eventually discarded. However, we strongly computer science; in other cases, unique terms and
recommend that the connection of computer science to statements have been created that do not exist outside of
contemporary technology should be illuminated. computer science. The rapid growth of the field, along with
Specifically, it is important that the students be better the emergence of new technologies that have spread into
educated regarding the long-standing fundamental new application areas [4] established the basis for a
principles of the discipline (emphasizing that they are dynamic taxonomy of concepts, as well as modeling tools.
above specific technologies) while illustrating linkages It is perhaps too optimistic to believe that this description
between contemporary computing and its applications. will pass without criticism. It may take further evolution of
inroads — SIGCSE Bulletin - 66 - Volume 39, Number 4 2007 December
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the computer science field to build, like in mathematics a Computer science has three origins: math,
generally accepted taxonomy (e.g., http://people.uncw.edu engineering, and science [3] and therefore its
/hermanr/MathTax/ accessed: May 13, 2007). fundamental principles and modeling tools are built
Computers and their accompanying formalisms upon these components. Recently it has become obvious
"complement the already wide-spread use of mathematical that "Conceptual and technological tools developed
and logical formalisms" [15, p. 21]. Computer science is within computer science are … starting to have wide-
constantly contributing to other fields by demonstrating ranging applications outside the subject in which they
how to model their processes as information processes [5]. originated, especially in sciences investigating complex
Actually computer science is "poised to become as systems" [16, p. 8].
fundamental to science, and in particular the natural The Science 2020 report refers to the status of
sciences, as mathematics has become to science, and in contemporary computer science: "Computer science
particular the physical sciences" [16, p. 26]; "Its concepts teaching and research is currently at an awkward
and theorems are starting to prove fundamental in crossroads where it needs to decide whether it is something
explaining natural and physical phenomena." [16, p. 73]. that serves other disciplines, is an engineering exercise, or a
Furthermore, computer science concepts provide levels of real science in its own right". The report clarifes that
abstraction "allowing scientists from different fields to computer science is a science in its own right; however,
understand and learn from each other’s solutions, and "clearly, there are significant aspects of computer science
ultimately for scientists to acquire a set of widely that are purely engineering" [16, p. 73]. The report uses
applicable complex problem solving capabilities, based on technology-oriented arguments to explain how computing
the use of a generic computational environment, in the is essential to other sciences as well as to addressing
same way that they learn universally applicable information technology issues (e.g., managing the data
mathematical skills" [16, p. 8]. Apparently, these explosion). Integration of computing, computer science and
arguments facilitate recognizing computer science as a mathematics leads to integration of modeling, experimental
scientific language. and theoretical approaches in science. In particular,
"Scientific computing platforms and infrastructure are
2.3. A Language of What? making possible new kinds of experiments that would have
To answer this question, one has to delve into history been impossible to conduct only 10 years ago, changing the
and to examine the milestones that created way scientist do science." [16, p. 14].
contemporary computer science as we know it. Over the years, publications in computing often
Interestingly, even though algorithms have been known literally used the concept technology (e.g., "core
since the ninth century, the need to define computer technologies of computing") or related to aspects of solving
science as a stand-alone discipline arose only in the early practical problems. For example, Smith stated that
1940s, with the invention of the first electronic computers. computer science should be used as "a test bed for
Aapparently, this matched timing of events has clarified technology to enable the computerization of may areas of
the essential linkage between computer science and human knowledge" [15, p. 23]. Denning's "great
technology and implies that technology reached the principles" framework, for example, tries to balance
stage where it needed a language that describes it. In between scientific concepts and practices, and relates to
spite of Dijkstra's famous statement: Computer science is computing mechanics and design, each of which is
no more about computers than astronomy is about expressed in every computing core technology in its own
telescopes, one cannot ignore that the term "Computer way [4]. Apparently, the framework illuminates various
Science" evolved from the technology that created the aspects of "solving practical problems" and refers to cross-
need. fertilization between computer science and technology: "It
is best to think of practices and principles in an endless
2.3.1 Why Computer Science is a Language of cycle of mutual reinforcement; our practice is shaped by
Technology? principles, and our perceptions of principles are shaped by
The answer follows from the notion of the concept practices" [4, p. 339].
technology. Technology is the need to solve the Obviously, besides being a science in its own right,
practical problems of the intelligent man [2]. It is the computer science serves as a platform for applying
application of scientific and other knowledge, tools, scientific and other knowledge to practical tasks, a
and skills to solve practical problems and extend designation that is compatible with the notion of
human capabilities [9, 13]. "Technology is best technology. We believe that these arguments are a basis for
described as a process, but it is more commonly known recognizing computer science as a language of technology.
by its products and their effects on society… The language describes structures, processes,
Technology's role is doing, making and implementing relationships, and communications. It supports
things. The principles of science, whether discovered abstraction, formalization, and knowledge representation.
or not, underlie technology" [9, p. 1]. Since computational concepts are deeply embedded
inroads — SIGCSE Bulletin - 67 - Volume 39, Number 4 2007 December
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into everyday thinking in many fields [17], the computer science as a language of technology
language facilitates "doing and understanding" illuminates essential linkages and cross-fertilization
technology. between both realms.
2.3.2 Why We Should Not Be Afraid of Relating 3. EDUCATING THE CITIZENS OF TOMORROW
Computer Science to Technology? Computer science has increasingly become a core
Computer science has been suffering throughout the knowledge requirement for all educated citizens. Like
years from an underestimated self-image, and has the more traditional sciences, it provides an essential
fought to be recognized as a science. This situation, understanding of the world around us. Computers are
along with trying to diminish the common part of almost every aspect of our lives and it is vital
misconception "computer science equals technology", that we understand their capabilities and their
explains the reluctance to relate computer science to limitations. It is our responsibility as computer science
technology. However, nowadays, recognition of educators to assist all students in bridging the gap
computer science as "a real science in its own right" is between using and understanding computers [8].
becoming a fact [5,6,16]: "Computer science studies Computer science education should be planned for and
information processes both artificial and natural. It adapted accordingly to various populations: (a) all
helps other fields study theirs too." [5, p. 28]. In spite students [14], (b) prospective students who wish to
of the statement that "the old definition of computer obtain expertise in the field [4,8], and (c) scientists of
science – the study of phenomena surrounding tomorrow [16].
computers – is now obsolete" [6, p. 14], one cannot
ignore that advanced computing platforms and Switching the Focus
infrastructure (which obviously are technological The description of computer science as a scientific
artifacts) are making it possible to change the way domain that is a language of technology can attract
scientists do science. Furthermore, "Towards 2020, … newcomers. However, the field should not be portrayed
dramatic in its impact, will be the integration of new to prospective students only in terms of "what it is"
conceptual and technological tools from computer without convincing them that it provides the knowledge
science into the sciences " [16, p. 8]. and skills foundation essential for contemporary
Recognition of computer science as a science technological advances [14] and may enhance
should encourage us to relate to the relationship understanding other subjects as well [7,17]. Computer
between computer science and technology in an science should be introduced as a high-level scientific
unthreatening way. We should not conceal the fact that language for problem solving, knowledge
computers and technology are essential for enabling the representation, and formalization of processes, as well
evolving synergy between computer science and as a language for understanding technology and
natural information processes. Moreover, presenting performing technology-related processes.
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