this post was submitted on 06 Jun 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 months ago (2 children)

As scientists, we know that transparency and peer review lead to better security.

What? App developers are scientists now?

I know this originally came from CERN, but I find it hard to believe those same folks are working on this now.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

While I don't particularly agree with the sentiment, those in the field of Computer Science could be argued to be "scientists", though often not in the classical sense. As a Computer Science major myself, I would never consider myself a "scientist" in the classical definition of the term. Those involved in actual research, yes, though that does not describe me despite the title of my Bachelor's. I would consider those involved in the theoretical side of Computer Science to be more akin to mathematicians, as most of the theory is based in mathematical proofs and models (take for instance the field describing formal computational models as a means to defining how computers operate, and how effective specific algorithms are in that context). Though I could understand the argument that those involved heavily in the theoretical side of Computer Science may be considered scientists, given their similarity to theoretical physicists. In that sense, there is also active experimentation to test hypotheses about algorithmic runtime. It's a fascinating niche of Computer Science that I studied briefly in university, but likely will not be pursuing in the future.

Generally those involved with active development of commercial software don't fit into that category, though. It's very much a question of semantics.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

I'd never admit it irl or to anyone I know because it's petty. But it bothers me when cs people refer to themselves as engineers.

Referring to themselves as scientists would seriously be a step past that.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

It really depends on the individual case. There are many CS professions where the title "engineer" or "scientist" is incredibly accurate. I believe that is a minority of course, and further depends on how broad your definition of "cs people" is. There are specialties within the incredibly broad field of computer science that require education in classical engineering, as well as specialties that focus on research and experimentation with the scientific method.