Computer Science Trade Essay

Introduction

A computer is one of the most powerful innovations of the twentieth century. It conducts calculations and computations that humans would take years or decades to accomplish. However, the science underpinning these gadgets dates back over two centuries. Charles Babbage invented the notion of the calculating machine in 1822 as an experiment for the British government. Despite the failure of the trial, the notion persisted and grew to undertake census operations in the United States over a century later. Babbage is widely regarded as the father of computer science. This commerce has helped to change nearly every area of human life. Computer Sciences itself has various trades hidden within it, and require the most ingenious minds to create and innovate these powerful machines. The following paper is a discussion of the Computer Sciences trade and how young professionals can benefit from choosing Computer Science as a trade.

The Versatility of Computer Science

At any given time, almost all organizations in the world need help of a Computer professional in some form or the other. Computers are used by almost all organizations from banks, hospitals, stock exchanges, military establishments etc., to general stores and even homes. In other words, present day computers encompass all walks of life. A Computer Science professional has four major areas of expertise namely hardware, software, data analysis, communication networking (Fortnow). A professional may also have skills to work in a combination of these domains as in the case of hacking. A computer professional may be engaged in one of the following tasks: networking and hardware infrastructure maintenance; programming for software development; data analysis for various applications; and research. In terms of trades, a computer professional can be a programmer, software developer, web designer and developer, support specialist, data analyst, database administrator, hardware professional, networking professional or administrator, information security analyst, tester, researcher, etc. However, one must understand that computer science is not equivalent to software engineering; it more or less encompasses the discipline (Tedre).

The Evolution of Computer Science

Bill Gates in a lecture to the students of University of Illinois in the year 2012 said that a lot of things that are taken for granted as standard functions of a computer today, were not possible a few decades ago. Computer sciences have diversified through the years from a hardware oriented trade to the one that now includes software development and data analysis. After the attempt by Charles Babbage, the first practical computing machine was developed by Herman Hollerith in 1899, which used punch cards for calculations .The machine was used to tabulate United States population data during the 1905 population census. The punch card system was able to complete the whole process within three years, a feat previously impossible with manual effort, helping the US government save more than five million US dollars in the process. Hollerith went on to become the founder of the computer giant IBM. The concept of a mathematical machine was further developed by Alan Turing in 1936, wherein he described mathematical machine popularly called the Turing machine. The famous electrically operated computer ENIAC was a result of Turing’s efforts. The machine was a 30 ton behemoth built by the US army in 1946. This computing technology was bulky and filled large rooms, but could only manage half the computation that hand held devices can perform today. Electrical equipment like vacuum tubes in the ENIAC was able to increase computing power to some extent, but could not reduce the computer’s size. Evolution of the microcomputers truly began after the invention of transistors in 1949. This coupled with John von Neuman’s description of a programmable calculating machine helped pave way for a new completely new form of science, the science of computers.

The Significance of Computer Science

Quoting the old adage ’a pen is mightier than the sword’, post the Second World War world, and largely during the Cold War and Space Race between USA and Russia, nations began to realize the might of information over weaponry, and how it can be utilized in innumerable ways to improve human life. The decades following ENIAC, invention of transistors and Neuman’s hypothesis of a programmable machine marked the miniaturization of the computer, generation of more computational power and development of sophisticated command algorithms known as programs. The trade has experience transition from hardware specific growth to a more software oriented approach. Early personal computers like Apple I and Radio Shack’s TRS ’ 80 of the 1970s popularized the concept of personal computing in culture and media, and computers became powerful icons of intelligentsia within the society transforming from just experimental tools in labs to devices that could be used by technically inquisitive people at home. Computer research labs and organizations began finding ways to make more and more powerful computers while decreasing its size exponentially.

The true realization of information’s importance came with introduction of the fifth generation of Personal Computers, rise of the graphical user interface and the development of networks and the advent of Internet. All of these events happened within the span of a decade between 1980s and 1990s The Web was a storehouse of untapped information that could be used in innumerable ways. Computer Sciences was the field capable of tapping this new found lexicon. The Google search engine is a direct example of how Sergei Brin and Larry Page, two Computer Science graduates from Stanford University, created an ultimate programming tool to search and index the Internet. Computers today can be found in all shapes and sizes, from small handheld smart phones to large Distributed Control Systems running entire facilities. And all of these devices require a computer science professional to design, develop, operate and manage.

Opportunities in Computer Science

Computer Science is a versatile trade. Any person with a technical bent of mind, creativity and logical thinking can pick up a course and develop skills in one of the trade options Computer Science has to offer. In fact, the concept of algorithms (instructions or programs for machines to follow and produce desirable results) was first developed by Ada Lovelace in 1843 with the help of logic and creativity alone. The trade has both practical and theoretical aspects. The versatility of this trade lies in the fact that its technology continues to develop and reinvent itself with each passing day. However, the nature of success depends upon the person’s understanding of the field. Educational curricula provide basics of all the fields available within the Computer Science trade. Teaching the basics help students to identify the field they can best work with. In fact Computer Science has gained such importance that a basic study of the trade is included in almost all curricula. However, as mentioned previously, to be successful in Computer Sciences, one must be strong at logic, problem solving ability and creativity. Current markets reveal that there is a shortage of Computer Science majors in the market today not just in the United States but all over the globe. The coming decade will see more innovations take place in the realm of digital electronics and computers. Research on Internet of things (IoT) is an example of such a venture, where common household objects like a toaster or a tea maker begin interacting over the internet. IoT is one of the many innovative ventures that her happening in the field of computer sciences today. Such developments require more in-situ Computer Science majors. In fact the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates show that growth of opportunities for professions within the Computer Science discipline shall remain above eight percent in the United States between the period of 2012 and 2022. More importantly their jobs will pay them well too.

Conclusion

Computer Sciences is a vast field that has many opportunities to offer. A computer science professional can be a part of any institution that requires computational power, and this professional also has the power develop ways and means to integrate computers in day to day life. Indeed Computer Sciences is a versatile trade to choose. Innovations happening today put this trade in a promising prospect for future professionals. There is a huge demand for professionals with Computer Science qualifications and experience; and the demand will grow for the coming decades. Also, these jobs will pay good salaries as well. In conclusion, this trade can be thought of as a great choice in terms of employment, ambition and innovation.

Summary

The paper aims highlighting the significance of computer science trade. The easy also aims at discussing computer science trade and how the youths can benefit from choosing computer science as a trade. Within computer science, there are a number of trades that are hidden that require the most resourceful brains to innovate and develop powerful devices.

Computer expert are responsible for the following tasks; networking and hardware infrastructure maintenance, programming for software development, data analysis for a variety of applications as well as research. In terms of trades, a computer professional can be a programmer, software developer, web designer and developer, support specialist, data analyst, database administrator, hardware professional, networking professional or administrator, information security analyst, tester, researcher among many others. However, the nature of success depends upon the person’s understanding of the field.

Educational curricula provide basics of all the fields available within the Computer Science trade. Innovations happening today put this trade in a promising prospect for future professionals due to its huge demand for professionals with Computer Science qualifications and experience; and the demand will grow for the coming decades. The trade can be thought of as a great choice in terms of employment, ambition and innovation.