UCSC professor Warren Sack's "The Software Arts" argues that computing grew out of the arts. This argument will be a provocation for some, especially for those who see a bright line dividing the “two cultures” of the arts and the sciences. For others, the argument will not seem provocative at all. Important computer scientists have argued that computing is not a science, software is a literature, and computer programming is a kind of essay writing. For those who see no clear distinction between the arts and the sciences, The Software Arts will be an old saw with some new teeth. .
During his talk, Sack gave a short overview of the emerging field of software studies. Additionally, he offered chapter-by-chapter summaries of his upcoming book and read some passages from a few of the chapters.