About computer science in general
Authors: Vorozhtsov A.V., Vinokurov N.A.
Yes, Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov asks us, but let us rephrase it: “Computer science is therefore necessary to be taught because it puts the mind in order”.
Indeed, if you look closely at what computer science is now and try to isolate its main task, then by and large there is only one thing left - computer science teaches us to formalize entities and processes (= put things in order).
Formalization is a strict description of something with a view to its use in business.
So, for example, a chemist creates a description of a substance in the form of a chemical formula. According to this description, a practical chemist can predict the properties of a substance and construct it from the ingredients.
Formalization is somewhat like poetry. Strange as it may seem, a poet, driving himself into the framework of strict rules for constructing a poetic form, can express more and with more conviction than a prose writer.
And in computer science, the rules are even stricter. It is required that descriptions are understood not only by a person, but also by a mechanical device.
In every science, they try to identify the main task. For example, the main task of mechanics is as follows: from the current state of a mechanical system, determine its state after a given period of time. In geometry, this is the determination of the positions of points and the ratios of geometric objects from given ratios. The task of physics is the forecast, explanation and use of physical phenomena. The task of all mathematics is more difficult to formulate, but with it everything is clear - it is the queen of sciences, which is the fabric of all natural sciences, and, among other things, mathematics is an amazing world for the games of the mind, close to poetry and fine art. This poetry of mathematics is the reason why we dared to replace the word in the statement of Lomonosov.
In chemistry, biology, physics, the task is essentially the same - to describe, explain, derive laws, predict the properties (behavior) of substances, life on Earth, and the physical world, respectively.
And what is computer science dedicated to?
Computer science is a dump of dead and newly emerging technologies. But besides this, there is some deep and important component in it that it can rightfully be proud of - these are methods of formalizing and combating increasing complexity.
An analogue of matter in computer science has become information - many bits.
And just as in biology, cells are combined into tissues, tissues - into organs, and organs - into living organisms, also in computer science "impersonal" bits are organized into information blocks, they in turn are combined at a new level and so on. As a result, information takes on a meaning, a complete form, and begins to work for a person.
A similar situation exists with information systems (programs) that process information - they also repeatedly transition from cells to tissues, organs and living organisms.
Of course, an engineer may notice that he has similar images when he thinks that a mineral fertilizer plant consists, ultimately, of bolts, brackets, pipes and metal plates. But I would like to note that in terms of the number of metasystem transitions, computer science, nevertheless, is a winner.
While in most sciences they try to build comprehensive models, in computer science they are engaged in building model models, developing methods for constructing models, etc.
Apparently, the closest to the essence is the following definition:
The adjective “large” in this definition carries a semantic load, and not just inserted for a red word.
Yes, Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov asks us, but let us rephrase it: “Computer science is therefore necessary to be taught because it puts the mind in order”.
Indeed, if you look closely at what computer science is now and try to isolate its main task, then by and large there is only one thing left - computer science teaches us to formalize entities and processes (= put things in order).
Formalization is a strict description of something with a view to its use in business.
So, for example, a chemist creates a description of a substance in the form of a chemical formula. According to this description, a practical chemist can predict the properties of a substance and construct it from the ingredients.
Formalization is somewhat like poetry. Strange as it may seem, a poet, driving himself into the framework of strict rules for constructing a poetic form, can express more and with more conviction than a prose writer.
And in computer science, the rules are even stricter. It is required that descriptions are understood not only by a person, but also by a mechanical device.
In every science, they try to identify the main task. For example, the main task of mechanics is as follows: from the current state of a mechanical system, determine its state after a given period of time. In geometry, this is the determination of the positions of points and the ratios of geometric objects from given ratios. The task of physics is the forecast, explanation and use of physical phenomena. The task of all mathematics is more difficult to formulate, but with it everything is clear - it is the queen of sciences, which is the fabric of all natural sciences, and, among other things, mathematics is an amazing world for the games of the mind, close to poetry and fine art. This poetry of mathematics is the reason why we dared to replace the word in the statement of Lomonosov.
In chemistry, biology, physics, the task is essentially the same - to describe, explain, derive laws, predict the properties (behavior) of substances, life on Earth, and the physical world, respectively.
And what is computer science dedicated to?
Computer science is a dump of dead and newly emerging technologies. But besides this, there is some deep and important component in it that it can rightfully be proud of - these are methods of formalizing and combating increasing complexity.
An analogue of matter in computer science has become information - many bits.
And just as in biology, cells are combined into tissues, tissues - into organs, and organs - into living organisms, also in computer science "impersonal" bits are organized into information blocks, they in turn are combined at a new level and so on. As a result, information takes on a meaning, a complete form, and begins to work for a person.
A similar situation exists with information systems (programs) that process information - they also repeatedly transition from cells to tissues, organs and living organisms.
Of course, an engineer may notice that he has similar images when he thinks that a mineral fertilizer plant consists, ultimately, of bolts, brackets, pipes and metal plates. But I would like to note that in terms of the number of metasystem transitions, computer science, nevertheless, is a winner.
While in most sciences they try to build comprehensive models, in computer science they are engaged in building model models, developing methods for constructing models, etc.
Apparently, the closest to the essence is the following definition:
Computer science is the science of methods of formalizing, processing and organizing large amounts of information.
The adjective “large” in this definition carries a semantic load, and not just inserted for a red word.