Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!ll-xn!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!uw-june!jsnyder
From: jsnyder@june.cs.washington.edu (John Snyder)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: conceptual basis of CS
Message-ID: <4823@june.cs.washington.edu>
Date: 3 May 88 02:42:02 GMT
Organization: U of Washington, Computer Science, Seattle
Lines: 18
Keywords: fundamental concepts

I recently set myself the task of making a list of 5-10 fundamental
concepts of computer science.  The sort of idea I was after had to
(1) be such that current CS theory/practice would be inconceivable
without it and (2) it crops up (maybe in various disguises) in all
or many areas of computer science.  Notice that I didn't say anything
about historical importance, elegance, usefulness or status outside CS,
or future potential.  Clause (2) pretty well guarantees that it's
not going to be tied to any particular technology.

I would really like to see your list, perhaps with a brief comment
as to why you chose each item.  I came up with my own list
of 6 concepts, but I'll refrain from posting it so as not to 
unconsciously influence your own thinking.


jsnyder@june.cs.washington.edu              John R. Snyder
{ihnp4,decvax,ucbvax}!uw-beaver!jsnyder     Dept. of Computer Science, FR-35
                                            University of Washington
206/543-7798                                Seattle, WA 98195