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Is there a tl'dr?

I think we can name the science part of computer science "algorithmic science" (or something to the same effect) and the engineering part "computer engineering" and call it a day.



The reasons for not calling Computer Science a science vary mostly based on the background of the beholder. Some object because "we only compute man-made objects", while others argue that "Computer Science is not a science, and has little to do with computers."

A graphic in the article lists these areas and problems:

  Area & Problem
  
  Computation
  • Unbounded error accumulation on finite machines
  • Non-computability of some important problems
  • Intractability of thousands of common problems
  • Optimal algorithms for some common problems
  • Production quality compilers
  
  Communication
  • Lossless file compression
  • Lossy but high-fidelity audio and video compression
  • Error correction codes for high, bursty noise channels
  • Secure cryptographic key exchange in open networks
  
  Interaction
  • Arbitration problem
  • Timing-dependent (race-conditioned) bug problem
  • Deadlock problem
  • Fast algorithms for predicting throughput and response time
  • Internet protocols
  • Cryptographic authentication protocols
  
  Recollection
  • Locality
  • Thrashing
  • Search
  • Two-level mapping for access to shared objects
  
  Automation
  • Simulations of focused cognitive tasks
  • Limits on expert systems
  • Reverse Turing tests
  
  Design
  • Objects and information hiding
  • Levels
  • Throughput and response time prediction networks of servers




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