Computational Thinking

This insightful book, Computational Thinking, explores the historical roots and modern applications of computational thinking across various fields.

This volume offers a comprehensive introduction to computational thinking, tracing its roots back centuries before the advent of digital computers. It highlights how, a few decades into the digital age, scientists recognized that thinking in computational terms opened up a revolutionary approach to organizing scientific inquiry. As a result, various fields such as physics, biology, and sociology developed their own computational branches, reflecting the growing importance of this way of thinking in modern research and education.

The authors delve into the essence of computational thinking (CT), emphasizing that it transcends mere programming concepts. Instead, CT is presented as a mindset cultivated through practice, equipping individuals with the mental tools necessary for designing computations that serve practical purposes and for understanding the world as a network of information processes. The book also revisits the historical contributions of mathematicians, known as 'computers,' who engaged in complex calculations long before the rise of electronic computing.

In Computational Thinking, the authors outline six key dimensions of contemporary computational thinking: methods, machines, computing education, software engineering, computational science, and design. Each dimension is explored in detail across dedicated chapters. The authors aim to clarify misconceptions about CT while simultaneously showcasing its profound impact and versatility across various domains, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the intersection of computation and thought.