computer science

Theory of Computing

Theory of Computing is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Theory of Computing rather than just read about it. In short: Theory of Computing is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal covering theoretical computer science. The journal was established in 2005 and is published by the Department of Computer Science of the University of Chicago.

Key takeaways

Theory of Computing belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Theory of Computing to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Theory of Computing from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Theory of Computing is a peer-reviewed open access scientific journal covering theoretical computer science. The journal was established in 2005 and is published by the Department of Computer Science of the University of Chicago. The editor-in-chief is László Babai (University of Chicago).

External links Official website

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Theory of Computing

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Theory of Computing claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Theory of Computing before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Theory of Computing ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Theory of Computing

In research: Theory of Computing appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Theory of Computing in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Theory of Computing is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Academic journals established in 2005, Computer science journal stubs, Computer science journals, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Theory of Computing outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Theory of Computing in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Theory of Computing means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Theory of Computing out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Theory of Computing in simple terms?

Why does Theory of Computing matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Theory of Computing?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Theory of Computing.