So, you want to study computer science (opens in new tab)

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6 pointsvvijay0312y ago4 comments

4 comments

4 comments · 2 top-level

theseoafs12y ago· 1 in thread

> Broadly stated, computer science involves designing hardware (such as laptops) and software (such as Microsoft Word).

No. Computer science is not about designing hardware. It is not about designing software. It is not about design.

There are many ways to define computer science. Please keep the target audience (high school kids in India) in mind. I could have defined it as the study and design of abstractions instead, but I don't think it would have made a whole lot of sense to high school kids.

That said, I agree that this may not be optimal way to phrase it. What would be your way to get it across?

j2kun12y ago· 1 in thread

> You don't need to know a lot of advanced math... Google has developed a self-driving car. IBM’s artificial intelligent system, Watson, has defeated human champions on the quiz show Jeopardy.

Selling computer science as needing little math, then excite the reader with applications that are literally swimming in math.

Here's the truth: if you want to be in the group of people who make breakthroughs in technology and computer science, you're going to need lots of math.

vvijay03OP12y ago

I partially agree with you: computer science definitely requires math, but the amount of math required is generally over-estimated (at least in the target audience in India).

There are plenty of interesting things you can do in computer science without needing a lot of math. The goal was to motivate high school kids in India, and to tell them you don't need to afraid of the math. Many of these kids will obviously not end up doing research or breakthroughs, and that's entirely OK.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

4 comments

4 comments · 2 top-level

theseoafs12y ago· 1 in thread

> Broadly stated, computer science involves designing hardware (such as laptops) and software (such as Microsoft Word).

No. Computer science is not about designing hardware. It is not about designing software. It is not about design.

vvijay03OP12y ago

There are many ways to define computer science. Please keep the target audience (high school kids in India) in mind. I could have defined it as the study and design of abstractions instead, but I don't think it would have made a whole lot of sense to high school kids.

That said, I agree that this may not be optimal way to phrase it. What would be your way to get it across?

j2kun12y ago· 1 in thread

> You don't need to know a lot of advanced math... Google has developed a self-driving car. IBM’s artificial intelligent system, Watson, has defeated human champions on the quiz show Jeopardy.

Selling computer science as needing little math, then excite the reader with applications that are literally swimming in math.

Here's the truth: if you want to be in the group of people who make breakthroughs in technology and computer science, you're going to need lots of math.

vvijay03OP12y ago

I partially agree with you: computer science definitely requires math, but the amount of math required is generally over-estimated (at least in the target audience in India).

There are plenty of interesting things you can do in computer science without needing a lot of math. The goal was to motivate high school kids in India, and to tell them you don't need to afraid of the math. Many of these kids will obviously not end up doing research or breakthroughs, and that's entirely OK.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse