Introduction

Computer science is one of the most relevant and important subjects to study in the modern world. Almost every occupation will encounter computers in their daily work, and most of us will use personal computing devices throughout our days. But for those who seek to learn more about how computers work, they will discover that computer science can be challenging, multifaceted, and fundamental to how we navigate our world.

Beginning in the 1940's, the development of electronic computing machines led to a rapid expansion of interest in this promising new technology -- and the underlying science and mathematics which powered it. Over the decades, the field rapidly expanded to include the study of hardware engineering, software design, information systems, and more narrow topics such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Today, studying computer science can encompass anything from learning to code to tackling high-level theoretical problems with advanced algorithms.

The primary audience for this guide is undergraduate students, or self-guided learners at that educational level, who want to start learning about computer science and coding. The resources are meant to be introductory and educational, but they are targeted at adults who are eager for the challenge of studying computer science.