alt Hacker NewsWhen I took the theory of computation class at CMU in the mid-80s it was in the philosophy department. The professor knew almost nothing about actual computers. Which was pretty cool, honestly.
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arethuza • yesterday at 9:01 AM
"Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes."
Usually attributed to Dijkstra.
> When I took the theory of computation class at CMU in the mid-80s it was in the philosophy department.
To be fair, theory of computation is more logic/proofs/formalism than what is mistakenly associated with CS nowadays - programming. Besides isn't everything just philosophy at the end of that day?
> The professor knew almost nothing about actual computers.
The foundations of theory of computation were laid before actual computers.
> Which was pretty cool, honestly.
I can't imagine my philosophy professors teaching theory of computation as they too didn't know anything about computers. But I'm sure they would have made it interesting.