Computer science is the study of computation, information, and automation. It is a broad field that spans theoretical disciplines, such as algorithms, theory of computation, and information theory, to applied disciplines, including the design and implementation of hardware and software. Computer science research also often intersects other disciplines, such as cognitive science, linguistics, mathematics, physics, biology, Earth science, statistics, philosophy, and logic.

Computer scientists deal mostly with software and software systems, including their theory, design, development, and application. They design and analyze algorithms to solve problems and study the performance of computer hardware and software. Computer science focuses on methods involved in design, specification, programming, verification, implementation, and testing of human-made computing systems.

Some principal areas of study within computer science include artificial intelligence, computer systems and networks, security, database systems, human-computer interaction, vision and graphics, numerical analysis, programming languages, software engineering, bioinformatics, and theory of computing.

Computer science is considered as part of a family of five separate yet interrelated disciplines: computer engineering, computer science, information systems, information technology, and software engineering. These five disciplines are interrelated in the sense that computing is their object of study, but they are separate since each has its own research perspective and curricular focus.

Although knowing how to program is essential to the study of computer science, it is only one element of the field. Computer science graduates work in various settings, including computer software companies, game development, financial services, and government. They also work in research and for social media companies and manufacturers, to name a few.

In summary, computer science is a broad field that deals with the study of computation, information, and automation. It includes a range of subareas, from theoretical disciplines to applied disciplines, and intersects with other disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and biology. Computer scientists design and analyze algorithms to solve problems and study the performance of computer hardware and software.