
4.3.2 Social computing and human–computer interaction.4.3.1 Computational science, finance and engineering.4.2.7 Computer graphics and visualization.4.2.5 Computer security and cryptography.4.2.3 Concurrent, parallel and distributed computing.4.2.2 Computer architecture and organization.4.2 Computer systems and computational processes.4.1.4 Programming language theory and formal methods.The Turing Award is generally recognized as the highest distinction in computer sciences. Computer scientists usually focus on academic research. The fundamental concern of computer science is determining what can and cannot be automated. A digital computer is capable of simulating various information processes.

Artificial intelligence aims to synthesize goal-orientated processes such as problem-solving, decision-making, environmental adaptation, planning and learning found in humans and animals. Computer architecture describes construction of computer components and computer-operated equipment. Programming language theory considers approaches to the description of computational processes, while computer programming involves the use of them to create complex systems.

Algorithms and data structures have been called the heart of computer science. For example, the theory of computation concerns abstract models of computation and general classes of problems that can be solved using them, while computer graphics or computational geometry emphasize more specific applications. Its fields can be divided into theoretical and practical disciplines. As a discipline, computer science spans a range of topics from theoretical studies of algorithms, computation and information to the practical issues of implementing computational systems in hardware and software.

Computer science is the study of algorithmic processes, computational machines and computation itself.
