What is Computing

Computing is the study of how computers and computer systems work and how they are constructed and programmed. Its primary aspects of theory, systems and applications are drawn from the disciplines of Technology, Design, Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. Computer science has many sub-fields; some emphasize the computation of specific results (such as computer graphics), while others relate to properties of computational problems (such as computational complexity theory). Still others focus on the challenges in implementing computation. For example, digital hardware design focuses on the electronic systems that execute programs and the communication networks that connect them; programming language theory studies approaches to describing computations; while computer programming applies specific programming languages to solve specific computational problems. A further subfield, human-computer interaction, focuses on the challenges in making computers and computations useful, usable and universally accessible to people. (This definition is closely based on that in Wikipedia.)

To this we might add critical thinking about the social and ethical implications of computing technology. Computing is a discipline, like mathematics or physics, that explores foundational principles and ideas (such as techniques for searching the Web), rather than artefacts (such as particular computer programs), although it may use the latter to illuminate the former. Specifically, computing is not 'ICT', ICT is a skills-based course focussing, typically, on the use of applications such as word processing and spreadsheets. Of course, ICT skills are fundamental, but fundamental to ALL areas of the curriculum as are literacy and numeracy.

Computing is not just programming, either. A working knowledge of programming is necessary but not sufficient for a thorough grounding in computing. Programming nevertheless plays a special role because it is an extremely powerful motivator: nothing motivates students like making computers dance to their tune. For this purpose 'programming' clearly includes scripting and other form of 'glue' that allow us to build working artefacts from software components. Furthermore, wanting to program is one of the principal reasons for students wishing to 'progress away' from ICT to an A Level in Computing.

We use the terms 'computing', 'computer science', and 'computing science' interchangeably.