computer science, computing - the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures

applied scientist, engineer, technologist - a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems

computer user - a person who uses computers for work or entertainment or communication or business

cracker - a programmer who `cracks' (gains unauthorized access to) computers, typically to do malicious things; "crackers are often mistakenly called hackers"

hacker - a programmer for whom computing is its own reward; may enjoy the challenge of breaking into other computers but does no harm; "true hackers subscribe to a code of ethics and look down upon crackers"

cyber-terrorist, cyberpunk, hacker - a programmer who breaks into computer systems in order to steal or change or destroy information as a form of cyber-terrorism