AP Computer Science: It's Not Just Programming

Computer Science is more useful than you know

My AP Computer Science musings in this blog are based around my son's experience at learning programming concepts as taught in his AP Computer Science class. I did not have the priviledge of AP Comp Sci when I was in high school. But being an IBM brat (my dad worked for IBM research) I was lucky to have an early exposure to computers as a kid. Initially it was playing blackjack on the APL/360 system as I waited for my dad to tweek an experiment and then take me to the cafeteria at Watson Research famous for it's handmade chocolate shakes and it's display of Leonardo Da Vinci invention models. So before high school even started I had a basic familiarity with computers and programming.

Our modern era with window based operating systems and downloadable applications my kids have exposure to computers I only dreamed of at their age. But it seems that their view of the computer is much the same as the microwave oven, you turn it on and it does stuff. The idea of programming the device themselves is not something they are concerned with. In my era the only way for the computer to do something useful was to program it yourself. Today you can download dozens of free programs that can do almost anything you could want, which further reinforces their attitude.

I don't believe I can really convince them that it is a necessary skill (though it is), but I can force them to take the course. You may think I am forcing them to follow in my footsteps. But there are necessary skills they receive from learning how to program. There are management skills embedded in the practice of computer programming and it helps enhance their understanding of mathematics. Computer Sciences provides the following management training skills:

• The simple process of writing down a set of instructions clearly and concisely
• The ability to break a problem down into smaller more manageable tasks
• Completion skills

The last skill is something we all struggle with constantly. It is an imprecise skill. But a Computer Science student learns intuitively when a project is finished (it's not when you finish typing the first draft). When a deadline looms they learn the skill of focusing the project on its most important elements to maximize their grade (given the fact that it's 2am and they need to get something working and get to sleep). This is the stuff that people get an MBA for and yet it's available in it's own experimental laboratory called the computer.

How you tackle a computer program would be the same way you tackle creating an assembly line to make a product. There are certain inputs and outputs. Certain raw materials that must be brought into the process. The finished product must be packaged and shipped. All of these things go on in a computer with bits and bytes for the raw materials and a print out for the finished product. These skills translate directly into business. It is because of this that large corporations use computers up and down the company ladder. Computers to control manufacturing, sales, shipping, and accounting. The 21st century manager must have a knowledge of what can be automated because it goes hand in hand with basic problem solving.

Author: Nasty Old Dog