
Computer science | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Mar 26, 2026 · Computer science is the study of computers and computing, including their theoretical and algorithmic foundations, hardware and software, and their uses for processing information. The …
Computer science - Algorithms, Complexity, Programming | Britannica
Mar 26, 2026 · Computer science - Algorithms, Complexity, Programming: An algorithm is a specific procedure for solving a well-defined computational problem. The development and analysis of …
Computer science Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
COMPUTER SCIENCE meaning: the study of computers and their uses
Computer simulation | Definition & Facts | Britannica
Computer simulation, the use of a computer to represent the dynamic responses of one system by the behavior of another system modeled after it. A simulation uses a mathematical description, or model, …
Protocol | Definition, Examples, & Facts | Britannica
Feb 20, 2026 · Protocol, in computer science, a set of rules or procedures for transmitting data between electronic devices, such as computers. In order for computers to exchange information, there must …
Algorithm | Definition, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Mar 25, 2026 · Algorithm, systematic procedure that produces—in a finite number of steps—the answer to a question or the solution of a problem. The name derives from the Latin translation, Algoritmi de …
Cache memory | Definition & Facts | Britannica
Cache memory, supplementary memory system that temporarily stores frequently used instructions and data for quicker processing by the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. The cache …
Byte | Definition & Facts | Britannica
Mar 28, 2026 · Byte, the basic unit of information in computer storage and processing. A byte consists of 8 adjacent binary digits (bits), each of which consists of a 0 or 1. The string of bits making up a byte …
Data mining | Machine Learning, AI & Big Data | Britannica
5 days ago · Data mining, in computer science, the process of discovering interesting and useful patterns and relationships in large volumes of data. The field combines tools from statistics and …
Natural language processing (NLP) | Definition, History, & Facts ...
Mar 11, 2026 · Natural language processing is the use of operations, systems, and technologies that allow computers to process and respond to written and spoken language in a way that mirrors …