djmolny (05/10/82)
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
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