Difference between Computer Engineering, Information System, IT and Computer Science

Summary

An overview of the origins, evolution, and academic landscape of various computing disciplines, addressing the lack of a universal definition and the nature of internal professional disagreements.

Highlights

Historical Origins00:00:02

Computing emerged from mathematics, philosophy, mechanics, and electronics. Key milestones include the formalization of the algorithm in the 1920s, the development of logic-based machines, and the transition from mechanical calculators like the abacus and Babbage's difference engine to electronic systems like Colossus and ENIAC.

The Rise of Software and Academic Formalization00:06:59

Software created an intangible layer of instructions, distinct from hardware, leading to specialized fields like programming and software engineering. Academic disciplines began forming mid-20th century, with computer science and engineering degrees appearing in the 1950s through 1970s.

Academic Politics and Disagreements00:10:01

The field lacks a universal definition, often leading to territorial disputes between computer science, engineering, and information systems. These conflicts are frequently driven by university funding structures and departmental politics rather than clear functional boundaries.

Defining Computing00:17:19

A proposed broad definition for computing is the study of programmable devices, their operation, and their impact on society. While imperfect due to evolving technology, this umbrella term helps group disparate subfields that continue to grow and change.