Aihuxn.120
net.followup
utzoo!decvax!harpo!npois!houxi!ihnss!ihuxn!djmolny
Mon May 10 09:57:06 1982
Re: CS vs. Math -- Survey Results
I'd like to thank everyone for the unexpected volume of mail I received in
response to my query, "What makes people think that Computer Science involves
a lot of math?"  Apparently, I'm not the first person to think of this.

I was intruiged by the answers I received.  Unprepared for the enthusiastic
response, I discarded most of the replies, but I can summarize them since most
fell into a few categories.

Before I present the results, however, I have an apology to make.  (Hang head,
blush, shuffle feet.)  Sarcastically, I offered the source for 5.2 rogue as
first prize.  As far as I know, only Ken Arnold has it, but a few people took me
semi-seriously.  Sorry.  I guess you had to be there.


A number of people raised the following points:

       - The first applications of computers were numerical, so that's how
         they are perceived.
       - Because of these numerical applications, many university math
         departments picked up CS as a sideline.
       - A large number of programmers started with a math background.
       - There is considerable overlap in subject areas, since CS is related
         to logic, automata theory, etc.


While I'm certain that all these factors are present, I still tend to think
that it's all a big misconception.  And in that spirit, I am pleased to present
the winning entry:

       >From duke!reed!teklabs!tekmdp!azure!markp Sat May  8 06:36:03 1982

       "What makes people think computer programming involves a lot of math?"
       The statements of people like Dijkstra, that's what.

Congratulations, Mark.


                                               -- DJ Molny
                                               Bell Labs, Indian Hill West
                                               ucbvax!ihnss!ihuxn!djmolny

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