From Code to User: Interdisciplinary Dimensions of Communication in Computer Science
Keywords:
software usability; interface design; software docs; data visualization; HCI principlesAbstract
This paper examines the interdisciplinary dimensions of communication in computer science, arguing that communication quality is a critical success factor across all stages of software development. The study builds on foundational research in human-computer interaction (Card, Moran & Newell, 1983), literate programming (Knuth, 1984), data visualization theory (Tufte, 1983), and recent advances in explainable artificial intelligence, integrating contributions from cognitive psychology, linguistics, and digital ethics.A theoretical and analytical approach was employed, synthesizing evidence from existing literature, empirical studies in software engineering, and current industry standards including ISO 9241-210 and WCAG 2.1.The paper identifies four distinct communication levels in software systems — intra-system, inter-developer, system-to-user, and data-mediated — and demonstrates that technical failures are frequently rooted in communication deficiencies rather than algorithmic shortcomings.The findings are relevant for computer science educators, software engineering practitioners, and academic researchers, suggesting that communication competencies should be formally integrated into IT curricula. The paper proposes an original four-level conceptual model of communication in computer science, offering a structured interdisciplinary framework not previously consolidated in the literature.
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