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Outline of computer science
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<h2 id="subfields">Subfields</h2> <h3>Mathematical foundations</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Coding_theory/SBqStoGL">Coding theory</a> – Useful in networking, programming, system development, and other areas where computers communicate with each other.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Game_theory/zkEIj1ya">Game theory</a> – Useful in artificial intelligence and <a href="/facts/Cybernetics/4qb58zbt">cybernetics</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Discrete_mathematics/XdRUnzUL">Discrete mathematics</a> - Study of discrete structures. Used in digital computer systems.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Graph_theory/VVPCd4TX">Graph theory</a> – Foundations for data structures and searching algorithms.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Mathematical_logic/SaI7Y3wN">Mathematical logic</a> – <a href="/facts/Boolean_logic/VkCToAmg">Boolean logic</a> and other ways of <a href="/facts/Mathematical_model/CGhyuxgz">modeling</a> logical queries; the uses and limitations of formal proof methods.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Number_theory/zhoa7zrc">Number theory</a> – Theory of the <a href="/facts/Integer/PUwwrawx">integers</a>. Used in <a href="/facts/Cryptography/e94PEVau">cryptography</a> as well as a test domain in <a href="/facts/Artificial_intelligence/lJGauQwX">artificial intelligence</a>.</li></ul> <h3>Algorithms and data structures</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Algorithms/fnl5NmRt">Algorithms</a> – Sequential and parallel computational procedures for solving a wide range of problems.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Data_structure/yNsNvL1I">Data structures</a> – The organization and manipulation of data.</li></ul> <h3>Artificial intelligence</h3> <p><a href="/facts/Outline_of_artificial_intelligence/gpySbMRe">Outline of artificial intelligence</a> </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Artificial_intelligence/lJGauQwX">Artificial intelligence</a> – The implementation and study of systems that exhibit an autonomous intelligence or behavior of their own.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Automated_reasoning/x5EdkKoU">Automated reasoning</a> – Solving engines, such as used in <a href="/facts/Prolog/r5h66Qh1">Prolog</a>, which produce steps to a result given a query on a fact and rule database, and <a href="/facts/Automated_theorem_proving/vKGvuKFI">automated theorem provers</a> that aim to prove <a href="/facts/Mathematical_theorem/f2Pe1FMD">mathematical theorems</a> with some assistance from a programmer.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computer_vision/Tl2Yyk66">Computer vision</a> – Algorithms for identifying three-dimensional objects from a two-dimensional picture.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Soft_computing/Em6u4h9N">Soft computing</a>, the use of inexact solutions for otherwise extremely difficult problems: <ul><li><a href="/facts/Machine_learning/e0w0XJTu">Machine learning</a> - Development of models that are able to learn and adapt without following explicit instructions, by using algorithms and statistical models to analyse and draw inferences from patterns in data.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Evolutionary_computing/qXyxPI8j">Evolutionary computing</a> - Biologically inspired algorithms.</li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Natural_language_processing/1hjMKsSN">Natural language processing</a> - Building systems and algorithms that analyze, understand, and generate natural (human) languages.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Robotics/wkmvodJz">Robotics</a> – Algorithms for controlling the behaviour of robots.</li></ul> <h3>Communication and security</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Computer_networking/3w5RM99p">Networking</a> – Algorithms and protocols for reliably communicating data across different shared or dedicated media, often including <a href="/facts/Error_correction/o2rH8e3n">error correction</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computer_security/7E5dIy7G">Computer security</a> – Practical aspects of securing computer systems and computer networks.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Cryptography/e94PEVau">Cryptography</a> – Applies results from complexity, probability, algebra and number theory to invent and <a href="/facts/Cryptoanalysis/7CPEQlJI">break codes</a>, and analyze the security of <a href="/facts/Cryptographic_protocols/0WuyTkFo">cryptographic protocols</a>.</li></ul> <h3>Computer architecture</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Computer_architecture/tHtwxgR2">Computer architecture</a> – The design, organization, optimization and verification of a computer system, mostly about <a href="/facts/CPU/Jxp1bqMV">CPUs</a> and <a href="/facts/Memory_(computers)/hQKVQ51J">Memory</a> subsystems (and the bus connecting them).</li> <li><a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">Operating systems</a> – Systems for managing computer programs and providing the basis of a usable system.</li></ul> <h3>Computer graphics</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Computer_graphics/lapBE8wv">Computer graphics</a> – Algorithms both for generating visual images synthetically, and for integrating or altering visual and spatial information sampled from the real world.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Image_processing/zenalNCf">Image processing</a> – Determining information from an image through computation.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Information_visualization/DSHteV85">Information visualization</a> – Methods for representing and displaying abstract data to facilitate human interaction for exploration and understanding.</li></ul> <h3>Concurrent, parallel, and distributed systems</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Parallel_computing/nQzcpzQt">Parallel computing</a> - The theory and practice of simultaneous computation; data safety in any multitasking or multithreaded environment.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Concurrency_(computer_science)/Ctnrrq4A">Concurrency (computer science)</a> – Computing using multiple concurrent threads of execution, devising algorithms for solving problems on various processors to achieve maximal speed-up compared to sequential execution.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Distributed_computing/o5nyhqTF">Distributed computing</a> – Computing using multiple computing devices over a network to accomplish a common objective or task and thereby reducing the latency involved in single processor contributions for any task.</li></ul> <h3>Databases</h3> <p><a href="/facts/Outline_of_databases/vUKFugN7">Outline of databases</a> </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Relational_databases/pEKGmJLy">Relational databases</a> – the <a href="/facts/Set_theory/1ptfsvUP">set theoretic</a> and algorithmic foundation of databases.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Structured_Storage/vvynRKfd">Structured Storage</a> - non-relational databases such as <a href="/facts/NoSQL/vvynRKfd">NoSQL</a> databases.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Data_mining/AH53q5ac">Data mining</a> – Study of algorithms for searching and processing information in documents and databases; closely related to <a href="/facts/Information_retrieval/MFSmpeNw">information retrieval</a>.</li></ul> <h3>Programming languages and compilers</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Compiler_theory/WNfCDFJe">Compiler theory</a> – Theory of <a href="/facts/Compiler/WNfCDFJe">compiler</a> design, based on <a href="/facts/Automata_theory/Q6BmPv63">Automata theory</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Programming_language/cWTYbgWa">Programming language pragmatics</a> – Taxonomy of programming languages, their strength and weaknesses. Various <a href="/facts/Programming_paradigm/7LwgRpB3">programming paradigms</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Object-oriented_programming/TxNMEcao">object-oriented programming</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Programming_language_theory/MfecfTFI">Programming language theory</a> - Theory of programming language design</li> <li><a href="/facts/Formal_semantics_of_programming_languages/JEP1zyBv">Formal semantics</a> – rigorous mathematical study of the meaning of programs.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Type_theory/xj0xzVqI">Type theory</a> – Formal analysis of the types of data, and the use of these types to understand properties of programs — especially program safety.</li></ul> <h3>Scientific computing</h3> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Computational_science/PnVD19hw">Computational science</a> – constructing <a href="/facts/Scientific_modeling/aNyvIyUQ">mathematical models</a> and <a href="/facts/Numerical_analysis/QT9cYa9z">quantitative analysis</a> techniques and using computers to analyze and solve <a href="/facts/Scientific/IJoaD7rs">scientific</a> problems.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Numerical_analysis/QT9cYa9z">Numerical analysis</a> – Approximate numerical solution of mathematical problems such as <a href="/facts/Root-finding_algorithm/IxTDkhBq">root-finding</a>, <a href="/facts/Numerical_integration/MwJnvcDV">integration</a>, the <a href="/facts/Numerical_ordinary_differential_equations/rbrYBco3">solution of ordinary differential equations</a>; the approximation of <a href="/facts/Special_functions/JETSeucA">special functions</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Symbolic_computation/hjun1KAX">Symbolic computation</a> – Manipulation and solution of expressions in symbolic form, also known as <a href="/facts/Computer_algebra/hjun1KAX">Computer algebra</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computational_physics/1ltJ109X">Computational physics</a> – Numerical simulations of large non-analytic systems</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computational_chemistry/KyuCgRV3">Computational chemistry</a> – Computational modelling of theoretical chemistry in order to determine chemical structures and properties</li> <li><a href="/facts/Bioinformatics/D5x2L8ee">Bioinformatics</a> and <a href="/facts/Computational_biology/GxgNfwcX">Computational biology</a> – The use of computer science to maintain, analyse, store <a href="/facts/Biological_data/y6rI6UFS">biological data</a> and to assist in solving biological problems such as <a href="/facts/Protein_folding/rf3nR2Y1">Protein folding</a>, function prediction and <a href="/facts/Phylogeny/f5vVEpeY">Phylogeny</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computational_neuroscience/eclSYyJK">Computational neuroscience</a> – Computational modelling of <a href="/facts/Neurophysiology/XLkEyW8c">neurophysiology</a>.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computational_Linguistics/XmegJ6LC">Computational linguistics</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Computational_logic/9dEaShLh">Computational logic</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Computational_engineering/dvIJ5o36">Computational engineering</a></li></ul> <h3>Software engineering</h3> <p><a href="/facts/Outline_of_software_engineering/FgC24RMV">Outline of software engineering</a> </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Formal_methods/tw4FCWIb">Formal methods</a> – Mathematical approaches for describing and reasoning about software design.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Software_engineering/KX6cE9kz">Software engineering</a> – The principles and practice of designing, developing, and testing programs, as well as proper engineering practices.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Algorithm_design/fnl5NmRt">Algorithm design</a> – Using ideas from algorithm theory to creatively design solutions to real tasks.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computer_programming/QmSsFnu0">Computer programming</a> – The practice of using a programming language to implement algorithms.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Human%25E2%2580%2593computer_interaction/EkmIxGCx">Human–computer interaction</a> – The study and design of computer interfaces that people use.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Reverse_engineering/pmJCV7J7">Reverse engineering</a> – The application of the scientific method to the understanding of arbitrary existing software.</li></ul> <h3>Theory of computation</h3> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/Theory_of_computation/xYJd2YeI">Theory of computation</a></p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Automata_theory/Q6BmPv63">Automata theory</a> – Different logical structures for solving problems.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Computability_theory_(computer_science)/cqDfXwdf">Computability theory</a> – What is calculable with the current models of computers. Proofs developed by <a href="/facts/Alan_Turing/klov9b6g">Alan Turing</a> and others provide insight into the possibilities of what may be computed and what may not. <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_unsolved_problems_in_computer_science/QySnBJ5E">List of unsolved problems in computer science</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/facts/Computational_complexity_theory/etHuVF3U">Computational complexity theory</a> – Fundamental bounds (especially time and storage space) on classes of computations.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Quantum_computing/nbbcgmvq">Quantum computing</a> theory – Explores computational models involving <a href="/facts/Quantum_superposition/4z1UJg9o">quantum superposition</a> of bits.</li></ul> <h2 id="history">History</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/History_of_computer_science/yxHB1I7t">History of computer science</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_of_pioneers_in_computer_science/XlurWBLL">List of pioneers in computer science</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/History_of_artificial_intelligence/1wNLDHbB">History of Artificial Intelligence</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/History_of_operating_systems/PcDEg6t9">History of Operating Systems</a></li></ul> <h2 id="professions">Professions</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Computer_scientist/DavggjGL">Computer Scientist</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Programmer/WGTS1Jv9">Programmer (Software developer)</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Teacher/5zkjcWo8">Teacher</a>/<a href="/facts/Professor/JNqot4sU">Professor</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Software_engineer/79aIJhcy">Software engineer</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Software_architect/n114GIdr">Software architect</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Software_tester/VoXzG9Tb">Software tester</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Hardware_engineer/5x1TRKGo">Hardware engineer</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Data_analyst/CNtARxLW">Data analyst</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Interaction_designer/6aKgJFNW">Interaction designer</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Network_administrator/UIwK6HTt">Network administrator</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Data_scientist/AHYUo0Rn">Data scientist</a></li></ul> <h2 id="data-and-data-structures">Data and data structures</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Data_structure/yNsNvL1I">Data structure</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Datatype/fcx5hgVL">Data type</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Associative_array/IFGd2xcP">Associative array</a> and <a href="/facts/Hash_table/Ht4ptDPF">Hash table</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Array_data_structure/BKGvF8AM">Array</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/List_(computing)/9tzhAH6M">List</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Tree_(data_structure)/RcXz9noF">Tree</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/String_(computer_science)/4ChJu5WS">String</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Matrix_(computer_science)/qa8FI4ko">Matrix (computer science)</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Databases/VYcpkevb">Database</a></li></ul> <h2 id="programming-paradigms">Programming paradigms</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Imperative_programming/6b5dUnE1">Imperative programming</a>/<a href="/facts/Procedural_programming/7r5xz7kx">Procedural programming</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Functional_programming/cdxqPEIM">Functional programming</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Logic_programming/Xgh8lj3F">Logic programming</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Declarative_programming/gogtdzcJ">Declarative Programming</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Event-driven_programming/QlGL2Fu6">Event-Driven Programming</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Object_oriented_programming/TxNMEcao">Object oriented programming</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Class_(computer_science)/zvzkSAtE">Class</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Inheritance_(object-oriented_programming)/a7R1xv8n">Inheritance</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Object_(computer_science)/eX99dtAw">Object</a></li></ul></li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Abstraction_(computer_science)/hAnxmJle">Abstraction</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Big_O_notation/weFFjSWg">Big O notation</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Closure_(computer_science)/droP22Xn">Closure</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Compiler/WNfCDFJe">Compiler</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Cognitive_science/8qoggl7r">Cognitive science</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/List_of_computer_scientists/zd2xpuxp">List of Computer Scientists</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Glossary_of_computer_science/gg1KaTN0">Glossary of Computer Science</a></li></ul>