The discipline of computing is a relatively new, evolving field based on the design and use of computing artifacts. At the heart of the field is the manipulation of data and information and the use of computing equipment, algorithms and paradigms to solve problems.

An understanding of elementary programming is necessary to understanding the requirements, risks and potential of a computer-based solution to a problem.

Programming is a process that follows the general guide of the software life cycle:

1. Problem analysis and specification
2. Algorithm design, evaluation, and verification
3. Converting the solution to a formal, computational language with accompanying documentation, testing, and verifying the implementation
4. Verifying system correctness
5. Installation and maintenance of the system

Necessary concepts in this area include the potential and limitations of programming languages and the software design process, including variables, types, input and output, sequential, conditional, and repetitive execution of statements, procedures, interprocess communication, data representation and storage.

The major components of a computing system include its hardware, software, information and data and its ability to communicate with other systems. The differences between these items and the roles they play are important to an understanding of the whole system. In particular, the reliability, limitations, and future potential of each independent component and combined system should be understood.

Central to this understanding is the difference between data and information. Important related topics include the ways data can be processed, the loss of information as a result of processing, and the presentation of information in valid, accurate, meaningful ways.

The differences between various hardware platforms, including the underlying computational model, and the relative advantages and limitations of various operating systems should be understood. In addition, there are important differences between commercial applications, operating systems and user-built software.

Communications are essential to computing and the role of the computer in mediating human-human communication is likewise a central concept. An understanding of the ways computers exchange information in local- and wide area networks, e.g., electronic mail, file transfer, world-wide-web, information search and retrieval systems and the underlying mechanisms used is important to understanding one of the primary roles played by computers: that of a facilitator of communications.

The effects of computers on society have been vast. An exploration of life in an "electronic age" is necessary to appreciate the implications of computers. Computing literacy must address the issues surrounding safety, security, privacy, abuses and ethics as they relate to society. Everyday implications of these issues should be explored, including viruses, trojans, safety-critical systems, and crime. The history of computing and current research will inform the likely development of future computing.

There is a group of computer applications that all students should be aware of. This group currently includes common office software packages, such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software and integrated suites.

The applications in this group are expected to change with time. Students emerging from K12 will increasingly have knowledge of the named applications, but it is also expected that there will always be new applications appropriate for college-level work that are not taught at the K12 level.

Applications specific to various disciplines may be addressed through custom-designed literacy courses, like CSIS 1514, or within the major field of study.

The computing environment that students must be able to work within is a complex interconnection of hardware and software system components. Until computers support communication as seamlessly as a long-distance phone call, information manipulation as simply as a calculator and modifications as simply as moving office furniture, it will be necessary to trouble shoot systems that are not working properly. The proper approaches or methodologies to be employed in trouble shooting are currently important to achieving computing literacy.