What is computational thinking?

Computers can be used to help us solve problems. However, before a problem can be tackled, the problem
itself and the ways in which it could be solved need to be understood.

Computational thinking allows us to do this.

Computational thinking allows us to take a complex problem, understand what the problem is and develop
possible solutions. We can then present these solutions in a way that a computer, a human, or both, can
understand.

The four cornerstones of computational thinking

• decomposition - breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts

• pattern recognition – looking for similarities among and within problems

• abstraction – focusing on the important information only, ignoring irrelevant detail

• algorithms - developing a step-by-step solution to the problem, or the rules to follow to solve the
problem
Each cornerstone is as important as the others. They are like legs on a table - if one leg is missing, the table
will probably collapse. Correctly applying all four techniques will help when programming a computer.

Computational thinking in practice

Computational thinking involves taking that complex problem and breaking it down into a series of small,
more manageable problems (decomposition). Each of these smaller problems can then be looked at
individually, considering how similar problems have been solved previously (pattern recognition) and focusing
only on the important details, while ignoring irrelevant information (abstraction). Next, simple steps or rules
to solve each of the smaller problems can be designed (algorithms).
Finally, these simple steps or rules are used to program a computer to help solve the complex problem in the
best way.

Thinking computationally
Thinking computationally is not programming. It is not even thinking like a computer, as computers do not,
and cannot, think.

Simply put, programming tells a computer what to do and how to do it. Computational thinking enables you
to work out exactly what to tell the computer to do.

For example, if you agree to meet your friends somewhere you have never been before, you would probably
plan your route before you step out of your house. You might consider the routes available and which route
is ‘best’ - this might be the route that is the shortest, the quickest, or the one which goes past your favourite
shop on the way. You'd then follow the step-by-step directions to get there. In this case, the planning part is
like computational thinking, and following the directions is like programming.

Being able to turn a complex problem into one we can easily understand is a skill that is extremely useful. In
fact, it's a skill you already have and probably use every day.

For example, it might be that you need to decide what to do with your group of friends. If all of you like
different things, you would need to decide:

• what you could do

• where you could go

• who wants to do what

• what you have previously done that has been a success in the past

• how much money you have and the cost of any of the options

• what the weather might be doing

• how much time you have

From this information, you and your friends could decide more easily where to go and what to do – in order
to keep most of your friends happy. You could also use a computer to help you to collect and analyse the data
to devise the best solution to the problem, both now and if it arose again in the future, if you wished.

Another example might occur when playing a videogame. Depending on the game, in order to complete a
level you would need to know:

• what items you need to collect, how you can collect them, and how long you have in which to collect
them
• where the exit is and the best route to reach it in the quickest time possible

• what kinds of enemies there are and their weak points

From these details you can work out a strategy for completing the level in the most efficient way.

If you were to create your own computer game, these are exactly the types of questions you would need to
think about and answer before you were able to program your game.
Both of the above are examples of where computational thinking has been used to solve a complex problem:

• each complex problem was broken down into several small decisions and steps (eg where to go, how
to complete the level – decomposition)
• only the relevant details were focused on (eg weather, location of exit – abstraction)
• knowledge of previous similar problems was used (pattern recognition...

• ...to work out a step by step plan of action (algorithms)

Glossary
1. abstraction
The process of separating and filtering out ideas and specific details that are not
needed in order to concentrate on those that are needed.
2. algorithm
A sequence of logical instructions for carrying out a task. In computing,
algorithms are needed to design computer programs.
3. decomposition
The breaking down of a system into smaller parts that are easier to understand,
program and maintain.
4. pattern recognition
Finding similarities and patterns in order to solve complex problems more
efficiently.
5. program
Sequences of instructions for a computer.
6. programming
The process of writing computer software.