Computing
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Computing is usually defined as the activity
of using and developing computer techno-
logy, computer hardware and software. It is
the computer-specific part of
information
technology. Computer science (or computing
science) is the study and the science of the
theoretical foundations of information and
computation and their implementation and
application in computer systems.
Computing Curricula 2005[1] defined
computing:
In a general way, we can define
computing to mean any goal-ori-
ented activity requiring, benefiting
from, or creating computers. Thus,
computing includes designing and
building hardware and software sys-
tems for a wide range of purposes;
processing, structuring, and man-
aging various kinds of information;
doing scientific studies using com-
puters; making computer systems
behave intelligently; creating and
using communications and enter-
tainment media; finding and gather-
ing information relevant to any par-
ticular purpose, and so on. The list is
virtually endless, and the possibilit-
ies are vast.
Definitions
The term computing has sometimes been nar-
rowly defined, as in a 1989 ACM report on
Computing as a Discipline[2]:
The discipline of computing is the
systematic study of algorithmic pro-
cesses that describe and transform
information: their theory, analysis,
design, efficiency, implementation,
and application. The fundamental
question underlying all computing is
’What
can
be
(efficiently)
automated?’
Computing Curricula 2005[1] also recognizes
that the meaning of computing depends on
the context:
Computing also has other meanings
that are more specific, based on the
context in which the term is used.
For example, an information systems
specialist will view computing some-
what differently from a software en-
gineer. Regardless of the context,
doing computing well can be com-
plicated and difficult. Because soci-
ety needs people to do computing
well, we must think of computing
not only as a profession but also as a
discipline.
The term computing is a