What is computer science
In essence, computer science revolves around the science of computation and solving problems by building mathematical tools and algorithms for computers. Computer scientists understand the theories and abstractions of computation and use those skills to build programs and code for complex software systems, networks or algorithmic processes.
Individuals with computer science degrees often go into specialized fields that involve building with dense quantities of information. Examples of these include artificial intelligence development, information security, game design fields, computer systems development and creating algorithms for fields, such as finance, policing, statistics and other information-dense fields.
Someone with a computer science degree can also become an information technology specialist who does practical programming work. However, as a general rule, computer science leans more toward abstract algorithmic mathematics and deep programming.
What is information technology
Information technology specialists, or IT engineers and technicians, use computer science principles and other skills to develop a practical knowledge of numerous technologies. They use this knowledge to improve existing IT systems in a company or to implement new ones by programming with assorted commercial technologies.
IT specialists are more likely to work with business teams on coordinating practical, applied projects to help their company operate better. In basic terms, IT specialists are often hired to configure and develop systems that help a business solve practical operational problems.
Common systems that IT specialists work on include:
- Servers
- Software compatibility
- Hardware setup
- Database management
- Network administration
- Business-specific IT maintenance tasks
Much of what an IT specialist does includes hands-on work with existing systems, servers, software and hardware that your business already uses. This can include developing these systems, maintaining them and training other employees in your company on how to use them.
Computer science vs. information technology: responsibilities
People who specialize in computer science might end up working in IT-related fields or vice versa. However, the responsibilities of experts in both areas can overlap considerably.
The main difference between computer science and information technology is that IT specialists tend to work on practical business-related technical solutions that serve a business’s needs. Computer scientists tend to work on developing unique systems and computing applications, without focusing so much on their diverse practical applications.
Computer scientist responsibilities
Common computer scientist responsibilities may include:
- Writing code for new computing applications and systems
- Deploying new computer or network systems in diverse environments
- Managing IT and developer teams in the creation of a new system, software platform or other complex computing infrastructure project
- Presenting and selling their completed computer programs, games and custom-made software solutions to other businesses
IT specialist responsibilities
Information technology specialists handle much less bottom-up programming. Instead, they focus more on working with a business to assemble and maintain its existing or newly implemented commercial software and hardware systems. IT specialist duties include:
- Coordinating with a business on its IT goals
- Integrating commercial software and hardware systems to serve a company’s needs
- Maintaining these systems on a regular basis
- Programming commercial software and hardware packages, so they’ll fit together seamlessly
- Calculating costs and benefits for installing new products into a company’s IT infrastructure.
- Handling a company’s IT security needs
Computer science vs. information technology: skills
While both computer science and information technology are extremely heavy fields in terms of technical, mathematical and programming knowledge, they diverge on many skill sets. As a basic rule, computer scientists tend to be more oriented toward in-depth programming from the ground up.
This requires complex mathematics, long periods of detailed focus, creative thinking skills and a deep knowledge of complex technical systems. CS experts should also be capable of handling numerous practical programming languages, including XML, SQL, C++, Java and others commonly used for systems development.
Information technology specialists can usually get by with a lighter level of programming and coding complexity. They need to have a fundamental understanding of how complex systems work together, both inside the computing field and outside of it in the wider practical world of the business they work for. A typical IT specialist also needs excellent general communication and project coordination skills for working with non-IT staff.
Which type of expert should you hire?
When deciding whether you need to hire an IT expert or a computer science professional, you need to know exactly what your business needs. For example, if you want to develop a new type of software, database management system or network security protocol from scratch, hiring computer scientists would be expensive and unnecessary.
If you want to have a team of technical experts revamp your existing commercial software and hardware architecture, then hiring an IT specialist or team is probably a better idea.
Computer science vs. information technology FAQ
Do data scientists usually cost more to hire than IT specialists?
As a general rule, yes, they do. Computer science is a deeper, more specialized field of study, and it usually commands higher wages. Computer scientists often work on projects that are more time-consuming and complex than those of IT management.
Can I hire an IT specialist to handle deep software and systems creation from scratch?
You could probably find an information technology specialist who’s skilled enough to handle a broad range of programming and software creation needs for your company. However, it would probably be safer to entrust these types of projects to computer science professionals. If the software you want to build is particularly critical, it might even legally require certified experts in data science.
Does my business need to hire computer science experts for integrating commercial software systems?
Generally speaking, if you’re operating a business that uses off-the-shelf software and hardware solutions, you don’t need to hire specialized computer science professionals for operational integration. IT technicians can usually connect different commercial applications and systems together.
