This blog post explores how computers and media have transformed our thinking and daily routines, and what kind of world they will open up in the future.
Today’s media, such as TV and the internet, have truly tremendous ripple effects because they connect us to the world the moment we purchase a product and press the power button. The advancement of such media has revolutionarily increased the speed of information delivery, enabling people worldwide to access news and communicate in real time. Alongside this, computers, equipped with rapid processing capabilities, have permeated every corner of human life, their influence now so pervasive it’s difficult to even gauge. Computers have transcended being mere information-processing machines; they have transformed human thought and behavior patterns, establishing themselves as essential tools forming the very foundation of modern society. Therefore, a world without computers today is hard to imagine.
We know that computers allow us to communicate and experience the world faster than television, and that they can solve calculations involving numbers too large for humans to compute in just a few seconds. This goes beyond simple computation; through advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, computers now assist human creative thinking and even contribute to the creation of new knowledge. Computers fulfill their purpose as tools everywhere, from professional fields to daily life. For instance, in hospitals, they enable accurate diagnosis and treatment through medical devices, while in businesses, they analyze vast amounts of data to support critical decision-making. So, what does computer engineering study and how is it applied to handle these computers ubiquitous in modern society?
The fields studied in computer engineering can be broadly divided into software and hardware. Software, in other words, is computer programs. To create computer programs, one learns programming languages and studies theories on how to develop better programs. This goes beyond simple code writing, encompassing design that considers user experience and security aspects. For instance, today’s widely used applications feature user-friendly interfaces alongside enhanced security algorithms, enabling convenient use while safely protecting personal information.
When discussing computer programming in software, the first thing that comes to mind is undoubtedly programming languages. Most people think of programmers as individuals who know and skillfully handle specific programming languages. However, in computer science, a programmer is seen as someone who deeply understands how to think about creating programs. This is based not only on the technical ability to write code but also on problem-solving skills and logical thinking. A programmer’s role is to find the most efficient method to solve a given problem and implement it using a programming language.
To become such a programmer, one needs not only programming languages but also extensive theoretical knowledge about how computers perform tasks. For instance, unlike humans, computers require the author to write program code rigorously and logically to execute desired operations. Thus, to learn how to make programs consume resources logically and efficiently, one studies foundational theoretical fields like discrete mathematics, algorithms, data structures, and automata. Building on this, one then learns the programming field—executing commands on a computer using specific languages like C, C++, or Java. Through this process, programmers cultivate the ability to analyze problems from diverse perspectives, seek optimal solutions, and implement them practically.
Hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer. That is, it consists of unchanging electrical circuits. This field encompasses everything from computer systems and architecture to the operating system, which invisibly assists the completed computer in performing tasks desired by the user. Hardware maintains a close relationship with software, working in close cooperation to maximize each other’s performance. Additionally, there are system fields like networking, which focus on constructing networks to enable communication between computers. This field actively researches enhancing the stability and efficiency of data transmission, leading to the establishment of internet infrastructure connecting the world in real-time.
Against this backdrop of diverse fields, computer engineering solves various real-world problems and finds applications in other challenges. Smartphones, a recent hot topic in IT, exemplify this. As the epitome of computer engineering, smartphones integrate diverse hardware and software technologies. Numerous IT fields propose methods to create ubiquitous environments, and smartphones represent one engineering solution to achieving this goal. Prior to smartphones, the public perception was that computers existed in fixed locations, requiring users to move to access networks. However, with smartphones entering the market, many tasks previously thought possible only on computers became achievable via the mobile phones people always carried. For instance, checking email, reading webtoons, booking movie tickets, and using social networking services (SNS) became possible anytime, anywhere via mobile phones, significantly changing public perception. This is related to the field of embedded systems, which enables tasks traditionally performed by large computers to be done on palm-sized mobile phones. It is also connected to the field of low-power system design, which maximizes battery life with limited power. Furthermore, it can be seen as the result of the convergence of various computer engineering fields, such as operating systems that run computers on such hardware and network fields that configure Wi-Fi to be location-independent.
However, diverse research continues in computer science to achieve the ultimate ubiquitous environment where networks and computers can be accessed regardless of location or device. For instance, artificial intelligence, mobile embedded systems, computer graphics, 3D modeling and processing, and e-business are currently being actively researched and are highly likely to become core technologies of future society. These technologies will provide new services we have yet to imagine and bring significant changes across society.
We have explored what computer engineering studies, its purpose, and which areas of computer engineering are applied in real life using smartphones as an example. Computer engineering transcends being merely a technical discipline; it plays a vital role in improving human life and advancing society. Engineering evolves daily to realize a better life, and computer engineering is rapidly evolving as a discipline to meet that purpose. Now that computers have become essential tools in society, the influence and applicability of computer engineering can be said to be limitless. The future of computer engineering is indeed noteworthy.
