I think of "computer science" somewhat like "engine science", AKA thermodynamics: they're both intimately tied to practical engineering (hardware/software; stea

I think of "computer science" somewhat like "engine science", AKA thermodynamics: they're both intimately tied to practical engineering (hardware/software; steam locomotives) and they're both intimately tied to abstract mathematics (computability, complexity theory; statistics, information). An easy way to reconcile this is to consider that everything is an engine (~ 'system that transforms energy'); and likewise that everything is a computer (~ a 'system that turns inputs to outputs'). Each field offers a different perspective, on different aspects of, the world :)