Lecture

Introduction: What is Computer Science?

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In course

CS-119(d): Information, Computation, Communication

L'objectif de ce cours est d'introduire les étudiants à la pensée algorithmique, de les familiariser avec les fondamentaux de l'Informatique et de développer une première compétence en programmation (langage C++). ...

Description

This lecture introduces the importance of the course, emphasizing the role of Computer Science, illustrating the connection between ICC and the future, and presenting the course content. It explains Computer Science as a scientific discipline, its fundamental principles, and the development of computational thinking. The lecture also covers the basics of the digital world, focusing on security. It discusses the central role of Computer Science in today's society, its impact on the economy, and its influence on various sectors. Furthermore, it delves into the acceleration of technology, highlighting the rapid advancements over the years. The lecture concludes by addressing the evolution of information storage media and the challenges associated with it.

Instructor

Jean-Cédric Chappelier

Jean-Cédric Chappelier is currently senior researcher and lecturer in Computational Linguistics at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland). He holds an Ms.Sci. and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications de Paris (France).

Official source

Related concepts (24)

Data storage

Data storage is the recording (storing) of information (data) in a storage medium. Handwriting, phonographic recording, magnetic tape, and optical discs are all examples of storage media. Biological molecules such as RNA and DNA are considered by some as data storage. Recording may be accomplished with virtually any form of energy. Electronic data storage requires electrical power to store and retrieve data. Data storage in a digital, machine-readable medium is sometimes called digital data.

Computer data storage

Computer data storage is a technology consisting of computer components and recording media that are used to retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental component of computers. The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is what manipulates data by performing computations. In practice, almost all computers use a storage hierarchy, which puts fast but expensive and small storage options close to the CPU and slower but less expensive and larger options further away.

Academic discipline

An academic discipline or academic field is a subdivision of knowledge that is taught and researched at the college or university level. Disciplines are defined (in part) and recognized by the academic journals in which research is published, and the learned societies and academic departments or faculties within colleges and universities to which their practitioners belong. Academic disciplines are conventionally divided into the humanities, including language, art and cultural studies, and the scientific disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, and biology; the social sciences are sometimes considered a third category.

Cloud storage

Cloud storage is a model of computer data storage in which the digital data is stored in logical pools, said to be on "the cloud". The physical storage spans multiple servers (sometimes in multiple locations), and the physical environment is typically owned and managed by a hosting company. These cloud storage providers are responsible for keeping the data available and accessible, and the physical environment secured, protected, and running. People and organizations buy or lease storage capacity from the providers to store user, organization, or application data.

Branches of science

The branches of science, also referred to as sciences, scientific fields or scientific disciplines, are commonly divided into three major groups: Formal sciences: the study of formal systems, such as those under the branches of logic and mathematics, which use an a priori, as opposed to empirical, methodology. Natural sciences: the study of natural phenomena (including cosmological, geological, physical, chemical, and biological factors of the universe). Natural science can be divided into two main branches: physical science and life science (or biology).

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