The Computing Profession and Higher Education

not things, but abstractions that represent things. Data use provides human civilization’s foundation, and computers and other digital technologies have merely amplified this use. Computers are tools People nowadays use computers personally, just as they use cars and lawnmowers. Computing professionals use computers just as doctors use stethoscopes and sphygmomanometers, and as mechanical engineers use lathes and drills. The professionalism lies in the use of the tool rather than in the tool itself. Where then does the computing profession fit in with other professions? Doctors now have computers on their desks. They enter data they gather from patients and use it—as well as data sent to their computer over the Internet from specialists like pathologists and tomographers—to deal with the patient’s problems. Mechanical engineers don’t use machinery such as lathes and drills professionally and directly; they work with technicians who do this. But their design work thoroughly ...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: COMPUTER
• Authors: W. Neville Holmes
• Keywords: COMPUTER 2007, Computers, Computing Profession, Mechanical Engineers