Computer Science

Preface: Originally written on June 28, 2007

During my engineering college days, there used to be an undercurrent of rivalry between the students of computer science and other branches. The subject of computer science was mildly disparaged. The computer was seen as a glorified calculator. Mechanical students used to ask their friends in computer science: "I dont see why you guys fuss all day over a 1.5 cubic feet box!". The more intellectual types quipped "Computer science is not a core subject like electronics, mechanical, electrical or civil. It is a secondary subject." There was a hint of jealousy too. The software field was (and still is) hot. Among the companies that came to the campus to recruit, a majority were related to software. The pay packets offered by the software companies to our senior batches were whispered incredulously and furtively throughout the hostel. Such was the structure of the "apple cart". (It is entirely another matter that many of those who indulged in such slander are today writing software themselves.)

Actually, now that I think back, I have encountered belittling of computer science at school as well. It was 9th grade. Computer science was introduced as an option for the SUPW period. I was delayed by a few minutes in reaching to the next class which was Hindi language study. The Hindi teacher, in all her arrogance, declared for the benefit of the students punctually present in the classroom and as a reprimand to me, that is was indubitably obvious that computer science was nothing more than an idle pastime and no good would accrue to a person who wished to spend time in front of a computer.

Since my inclination is towards computer science, I was mildly uncomfortable with such an attitude towards the subject of my interest. However, since the unfavourable opinion was omnipresent, I did not find the courage to challenge it.

But now I feel that it is proper to accord computer science the place that it deserves in the society. The fact that students and professionals of computer science produce no tangible product (as opposed to buildings, machines and gadgets) makes the case difficult. Nevertheless computer science has given many new kinds of wealth to humanity. We are able to accomplish a lot more today because of the use of software which would not have been possible otherwise. To the accusation that computer science is not a core subject, I am indifferent. The mere classification of it as such makes no difference to the amount of good it does. The list of utilities that it has created or enhanced is enormous. The benefits of computer science are only now being felt by the society at large (communications technology, easy banking, email, malls (oh yes, a lot of software goes into the operation of those supply chains behind them)) and I hope they would have altered their opinion of it for the better. Moreover the potential that it has to enhance the human condition further is greater. The amalgamation of medicine and computer science is still nascent. So is its alliance with the field of education. I expect that the comming generations would be amused by my Hindi teacher's (bless her soul) pronouncements.