3 Applications of Decomposition in Computer Science

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We are continuing to discuss the 8 core principles of computer science with decomposition. Decomposition addresses the challenge of understanding and managing complexity. It involves breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts. Doing so allows us to solve each independently. In this way, the overall problem is solved or system is constructed by solving or designing each part and then combining them together. Decomposition is the design equivalent of distributed computation in many ways.

Decomposition, because of its usefulness in the face of complex problems, is applied in many aspects of computer science. These range from the high-level design of software architectures, to the way we structure individual functions or classes in a program, on to how we approach problem-solving in algorithms and data structures.

Decomposition can be applied in various ways:

• Functional decomposition: This involves dividing a system based on the functions it performs. For example, in a game, one function could handle user input, another function could process game logic, and a third function could render graphics.
• Data decomposition: In this approach, a system is divided based on the data it processes. This is commonly used in parallel computing, where a large…