Some observations about the nature of computer science

Abstract

This paper discusses the nature of computer science as a science by analyzing computer science and comparing or contrasting it with other sciences. In particular, we compare and contrast various aspects of computer science with physics, astronomy, and mathematics. Our analysis of computer science and comparison with other sciences is primarily in terms of:

• (a) the roles played by experiments and theory,

• (b) how research paradigms and problem areas are determined and change,

• (c) the relation and interaction of the science and engineering aspects,

• (d) comparing historical developments.

From this study and comparisons we conclude that computer science differs from the known sciences so deeply that it has to be viewed as a new species among the sciences. This view is justified by observing that theory and experiments in computer science play a different role and do not follow the classic pattern in physical sciences. The change of research paradigms in computer science is often technology driven and demos can play the role of experiments. Furthermore, the science and engineering aspects are deeply interwoven in computer science, where the distance from concepts to practical implementations is far shorter than in other disciplines.