Discovering Computer Science

Preface

IN my view, an introductory computer science course should strive to accomplish three things. First, it should demonstrate to students how computing has become a powerful mode of inquiry, and a vehicle of discovery, in a wide variety of disciplines. This orientation is also inviting to students of the natural and social sciences, who increasingly benefit from an introduction to computational thinking, beyond the limited “black box” recipes often found in manuals. Second, the course should engage students in computational problem solving, and lead them to discover the power of abstraction, efficiency, and data organization in the design of their solutions. Third, the course should teach students how to implement their solutions as computer ...