Difference between Maths and Computer Science

what's the difference between math and physics?

Math is more general and abstract. Computer Science is applied math.

BTW, I think Dijkstra said "Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes" - I could be wrong, but I think I looked it up once. What it means is that the computer is a way for you to see the stuff that makes up the science, but not an end in itself.

What's the difference between birds and ducks?

It's simply more specific. Computer science is a specific field of mathematics.

Computer science is a cross between an area of math and an area of engineering, but it is more on the math side. IME, most schools teach the engineering side more though, and include lots of programming practice rather than teaching the theory of computation and having classes like lambda calculus.

Computer science (in its purest form) is merely a form of applied mathematics. Re: Turing.


Computer science (in reality) is a mix of applied mathematics, engineering, and its own flavor.

Being a double major in computer science and math, I can say the only real similarity is that computer science classes *sometimes* require me to do some math. In theory it is supposed to draw almost entirely from math, but in practice I can say it's very rare that I do much math in my comp sci classes.

With that said, I would agree with Promit saying computer science is more of a mix of engineering and it's own delicious flavor.

Computers arose from mathematics as a way for people to deal with certain mathematics problems.

Quote:

Original post by Promit Computer science (in its purest form) is merely a form of applied mathematics. Re: Turing. Computer science (in reality) is a mix of applied mathematics, engineering, and its own flavor.

I second this. Schools need to adopt a standard that distinguishes computer science from computer engineering from software engineering. The first can be thought of as being a part of the math department, the second part of the electical engineering department, and the last its own thing.

CM