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Computer science Lecture 01

The document discusses the evolution of the term 'computer' from a job title for people performing calculations to the modern understanding of computers and computer science. It emphasizes that computer science is primarily the study of computation and programming, while also touching on historical figures like Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage. Additionally, it outlines the nature of programs as sequences of instructions for performing computations.

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naodmelaku.1968
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4 views32 pages

Computer science Lecture 01

The document discusses the evolution of the term 'computer' from a job title for people performing calculations to the modern understanding of computers and computer science. It emphasizes that computer science is primarily the study of computation and programming, while also touching on historical figures like Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage. Additionally, it outlines the nature of programs as sequences of instructions for performing computations.

Uploaded by

naodmelaku.1968
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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▪ Lecture 0: Hello World

WHAT ARE COMPUTERS?


Until the 1940s the word “computer” was
a job title
▪computers were people trained to carry out
mathematical operations
▪they followed a set of precise instructions
required to create mathematical tables used
for navigation, astronomy, business
WHAT IS COMPUTER
SCIENCE?
“Computer Science is no more
about computers than astronomy
is about telescopes”

Edsger Dijkstra (1930 - 2002)


WHAT IS COMPUTER
SCIENCE?
Computer Science is the study of computers
(??)
▪This leaves aside the theoretical work in CS, which does not
make use of real computers, but of formal models of
computers
▪Actually, the early work in CS took place before the
development of the first computer
WHAT IS COMPUTER
SCIENCE?
Computer Science is the study of how to
write computer programs (programming)
(??)

▪Programming is a big part of CS.. ..but it is not the most

important part.
First computer: 1940s
Ada Lovelace

First computer: 1940s


First computer program: 1843
COMPUTATION
COMPUTATION

Computation is a sequence of well-


defined operations that lead from
an initial starting point to desired
final outcome
CS
▪Computer science is the study
of computation
▪investigating problems that can be
solved computationally
▪Using programming languages to
describe computations
CONT …
▪machines that carry out computations

▪theoretical limits of computation (what is


or is not computable)

▪computational solutions to problems in


math, science, medicine, business,
HISTORY
COMPUTING MACHINES

▪ Fixed-program computers

▪ Stored-program
computers
BABBAGE’S MACHINES

Difference Engine

Analytical Engine

Charles Babbage (1791-1871)


BOOLEAN
BIRTH OF MODERN
COMPUTING
COMPUTATIONAL
THINKING
WHAT CAN A COMPUTER
DO?
PROGRAMS

A program is a sequence of instructions


that specifies how to perform a
computation.
C
hello, world
WHERE IS
COMPUTING
BEING USED?

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