1) The document argues that while early pioneers viewed computer science as a science, it is more accurately an art or technology rather than a true science. 2) Computer science combines principles of science, engineering, and mathematics but focuses more on practical applications and invention rather than fundamental explanations. 3) The field studies both artificial and natural information processes through programming, design, and other computing arts rather than experimentation and testing of hypotheses as is typical in science.

1. Is Computer Science
Science?
Daniel Cukier
@danicuki

2. The pioneers of your field
genuinely believed in the
1950s that their new field
was science. They were
mistaken. There is no
computer science. Computer
art, yes. Computer
technology, yes. But no
science.

3. Science, engineering, and
mathematics combine into a
unique and potent blend in
our (computers) field.

4. Science Art
principles practice
fundamental recurrences skilled performance
explanation action
discovery invention
analysis synthesis
dissection contruction

5. European synonym for computer
science - informatics - clearly
suggests the field is about
information processes, not
computers.

6. Computer science studies
information processes both
artificial and natural.

7. Programming, design, software
and hardware engineering,
building and validating models,
and building user interfaces
are all “computing arts”.

8. Latour [1]
sees science-in-the-
making as a messy, political,
human process, fraught with
emotion and occasional
polemics.
[1] Latour, B. Science in Action. Harvard University Press, 1987

9. But computer science is going a
different way. Is is constantly
forming relationships with
other fields.

10. We don’t test our hypothesis
400 computer science papers
50% models or hypothesis not tested
In other fields, 10% are untested

11. Conclusion
Computer science is more like an art
The science paradigm has not been
part of the mainstream perception of
computer science. But soon it will be
(and this is an untested hypothesis)