Some Observations About the Nature of Computer Science

This paper discusses the nature of computer science as a science by analyzing computer science and comparing or contrasting it with other sciences. In particular, we compare and contrast various aspects of computer science with physics, astronomy, and mathematics. Our analysis of computer science and comparison with other sciences is primarily in terms of: (a) the roles played by experiments and theory, (b) how research paradigms and problem areas are determined and change, (c) the relation and interaction of the science and engineering aspects, (d) comparing historical developments.