Monday, March 12, 2007

Is computer science dead?

Is computer science dead? - Technology - theage.com.au

This report talks about the declining interest in CS. The reporter is not clear on what the problem is, nor are any solutions presented. Instead, the view seems to be one of acceptance, acknowledging that enrollments in CS are at unprecedented lows because of lack of jobs... or, is it reporting that there are a lack of jobs because IT has settled on using minimal software solutions because they can't find the people they need? Draw your own conclusions after you read it. The biggest problem I have with the article is that many parents will skim through it, and simply say, ", you are not going to enroll as a CS major, do you hear me?!?!"

I don't believe the reporter properly evaluated the current state of CS and IT related job availability. She also alludes to the fact that we, as software engineers, are perhaps to blame for not having jobs available. To paraphrase in IT lingo, we have developed excellent 3G and 4G languages and development tools. These tools are so good that the computer scientist is no longer necessary to develop and deploy large-scale, enterprise-wide software. Yeah, that's true, I have no arguments with that point. But, in my opinion, this article is severely short-sighted regarding the possible careers in CS. It does make some important points. But, perhaps I'm blind, and the numerous reports and research papers that claim that there is a severe need for CS students in the very near future are just blowing hot air. Perhaps our hero, Mr. Bill Gates (super-genius :-), and other big-name CEOs are wasting time traveling across the country to boost CS enrollments. Or, maybe Australia (where the article was written) has differing problems in IT than the US? Hardly.

Here's my final thought, and one which the article does not address at all. It has been becoming clear to me that the traditional computer science education needs a massive overhaul to become relevant in the 21st century. Perhaps the real problem is that CS education is not adjusting its focus and is not evolving in tandem with current industry IT needs. Therefore, we are not educating today's students with the background and knowledge and tools to enable them to continue to develop relevant software. They are not gaining the foresight and preparation to know what the current and coming needs of the industry are. If that's true, then that is a real reason to have concern about sending little Johnny or Janey to college to be a CS major.