In this blog post, we will examine how the development of computer science and information and communication technology has affected society and industry, and how it is linked to national competitiveness.
In the second week of December 1980, humanity lost one genius and welcomed a new one. On Monday, former Beatles member John Lennon was killed by a fanatic fan, and on Friday, Apple’s initial public offering began, and a young man named Steve Jobs became the “richest self-made man in America,” earning $200 billion overnight. The Beatles, signed to Apple Records, closed the chapter on an era, while Apple Computers heralded a new era.
Today, Apple is in its heyday. With the death of Steve Jobs on October 5, 2011, the numerous “smart” devices he left behind, such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, have become part of our daily lives. Computers have been familiar to us since the 1990s with the widespread use of personal PCs, but today, these “smart” devices have gone beyond familiarity to become part of our lives. We naturally use the internet, work on documents, and use smartphone applications in our daily lives. Behind all these activities lies computer engineering. Let’s learn about computer engineering while recognizing that the algorithms, logic, and implementation of computer engineering are hidden in these programs, which are new and convenient from the user’s perspective.
Computer engineering is a comprehensive field of study that deals with the hardware and software that make up computer systems. The hardware that makes up a computer system includes the CPU, memory, storage media, graphics devices, and network devices. Software is developed to use these systems effectively. It can be broadly classified into lower-level software, such as operating systems and middleware, which are closely related to hardware, and higher-level application software, such as document editors, multimedia programs, and games, which are based on this software to meet user needs.
Since computer software and hardware are closely and organically linked, computer engineering deals with both hardware and software. The core of software is undoubtedly programming. Just as a common language is necessary for communicating with foreigners, programmers use programming languages to communicate with computers and develop programs. And just as there is language grammar to create meaningful sentences, there is program design grammar based on mathematical backgrounds such as discrete mathematics and automata theory, as well as logical backgrounds such as data structures and algorithms. Computers may be dumb, understanding only two characters, 0 and 1, but with these two characters alone, they can express all the characters we recognize. Programmers use numerous programming languages such as C, C++, and JAVA to communicate with computers. When they try to convey messages to computers, a translator called a compiler translates the messages into assembly language, which is a machine language consisting of 0s and 1s that computers can understand, and then conveys the messages. Through this process, games such as Tetris and players that can play mp3 files can be created.
Hardware can be broadly divided into four types: processing devices that perform data processing and calculations according to programs; memory devices that store programs and data; input devices that allow humans to input data and instructions; and output devices that communicate the results of processing to the outside world. Many computers currently in use use microprocessors as processing devices, semiconductor memory and magnetic disks as memory devices, keyboards and mice as input devices, and printers and displays as output devices.
After acquiring basic knowledge of software and hardware as described above, students will acquire specialized knowledge in areas such as computer architecture, operating systems, databases, programming languages, computer communications, artificial intelligence, algorithms, and multimedia systems, and conduct experiments and research to pioneer new applications. In other words, computer engineering is a field of study that examines how to improve computer performance through research on computer structure, how computers operate based on certain principles, and what logic and flow should be used when developing new programs.
In addition, the most sought-after field of computer engineering in modern society is information and communication. In the past, a personal computer (PC) was defined as an independent computer system, but now it can be defined as a computer system in which computers are connected by a communication network. The Internet, wireless communication networks, and WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) that we use today can be described as huge computer systems connected by high-speed networks. In particular, the Internet has changed modern life itself.
The moment they connect to the Internet, Internet users can easily obtain the information they want in cyberspace without having to go to museums, universities, newspaper offices, libraries, or bookstores. It is no exaggeration to say that the Internet is the third medium after print media and telephones. There is a growing consensus that the Internet not only satisfies our thirst for knowledge, but also has a tremendous influence on individual values.
In particular, considering the communication environment in Korea, which is leading the world in the penetration rate of high-speed Internet and mobile communication devices, and the underlying technologies, such as CDMA (code division multiple access) CDMA: A digital mobile communication system developed by Qualcomm in the US that uses spread spectrum technology, allowing users to share time and frequencies to send and receive signals, resulting in more than 10 times the capacity of the existing analog system (AMPS) and superior call quality.
Considering various factors, such as its ability to commercialize this technology for the first time in the world, Korea will be able to further strengthen its national competitiveness in the 21st century, centered on the information and communications industry. In addition, computer engineering is not just about technology. Ethical issues and social responsibility are also important aspects. Discussions are needed to resolve various issues arising from the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, such as personal information protection, ethical dilemmas surrounding autonomous vehicles, and algorithmic bias. These discussions will enable computer engineers to propose solutions that take into account not only technical solutions but also social and ethical perspectives.
Ultimately, computer science is deeply embedded in all aspects of our lives, and its importance is growing day by day. Technological advances are making our lives more convenient, but they also come with heavy responsibilities. Computer scientists who will lead the future must recognize these responsibilities and move toward a direction that achieves harmony between technology and society.
