# Alan Cooper > American computer programmer (b. 1952) **Wikidata**: [Q1194856](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1194856) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Cooper_(software_designer)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alan-cooper ## Summary Alan Cooper is an American computer scientist and programmer, born on June 3, 1952, in San Francisco. He is widely recognized for his contributions to user interface design, specifically as the author of the book *About Face: The Essentials of User Interface Design*. His career spans the industrial and service sectors of technology, where he operates as a writer and technology specialist. ## Biography * **Born:** June 3, 1952 * **Birthplace:** San Francisco, United States * **Nationality:** United States * **Gender:** Male * **Languages:** English * **Occupation:** Computer Scientist, Writer, Computer Programmer * **Field:** Computer Science; Industrial and Service Sectors * **Known for:** *About Face: The Essentials of User Interface Design* ## Contributions Alan Cooper's primary documented contribution to the field of computer science is his notable work, **"About Face: The Essentials of User Interface Design."** This book serves as a key resource in the field of user interface design, aligning with his professional role as a computer scientist and writer. As a practitioner in the industrial and service sectors, his work addresses the theoretical foundations and practical design of computational systems, specifically focusing on how humans interact with software. ## FAQs **What is Alan Cooper's most famous work?** Alan Cooper is the author of *About Face: The Essentials of User Interface Design*, a significant publication in the field of computer science and user experience. **When and where was Alan Cooper born?** He was born on June 3, 1952, in San Francisco, United States. **What is Alan Cooper's professional classification?** He is classified as a computer scientist and writer. Professionally, he falls under the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) code 2511 and is recognized as a technology specialist and systems analyst. ## Why They Matter Alan Cooper matters to the field of computer science as a distinct voice in the realm of user interface design. By bridging the gap between technical programming (he is identified as a computer programmer) and the theoretical design of computational systems (computer scientist), he contributes to the "theoretical foundations of information and computation" as they apply to human-computer interaction. His work exemplifies the interdisciplinary nature of modern computer science, where professionals act not only as coders but also as authors and design theorists. His specific focus on the "essentials" of interface design helps define how software is structured for usability, impacting the industrial and service sectors where these systems are deployed. ## Notable For * **Authorship:** Wrote *About Face: The Essentials of User Interface Design*. * **Professional Classification:** Recognized formally as a "Computer Scientist" (ISCO-08 code 2511) and "Technology Specialist." * **Distinct Discipline:** His work distinguishes the role of the computer scientist from that of a computational scientist, focusing on the design of systems rather than just the application of computing to other sciences. * **Global Recognition:** His biography and works are cataloged internationally, including entries in the Library of Congress (n96105067), the German National Library (138534144), and the National Diet Library of Japan. ## Body ### Early Life and Background Alan Cooper was born on June 3, 1952, in San Francisco, California. He is a male citizen of the United States and communicates in English. His early life in the San Francisco area places him geographically within a major hub of technological development. ### Career and Professional Definition Cooper is identified as an American computer programmer and computer scientist. In the professional taxonomy provided, a computer scientist is defined as "one who studies or practices computer science," focusing on the theoretical foundations of information and the design of computational systems. Cooper's career aligns with the broader classification of the profession, which encompasses roles such as: * Scientist * Technology Specialist * Systems Analyst * Computer Expert He operates within the **industrial sector** and **service sector**, distinct from a "computational scientist" (who applies computing to other scientific disciplines). His dual role as a **writer** indicates his involvement in documenting and shaping the discourse around his field. ### Notable Work and Publications Cooper's most significant contribution referenced in the source material is the book: * ***About Face: The Essentials of User Interface Design*** This work contributes to the field of computer science by addressing the design and structure of computational systems, specifically regarding how users interact with software interfaces. ### Authority Control and Global Identifiers Alan Cooper is extensively indexed in international library and knowledge systems, reflecting his standing as a notable figure in computer science. His unique identifiers and classifications include: * **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n96105067 * **ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier):** 0000000114803398 * **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File):** 115235706 * **GND (German National Library ID):** 138534144 * **BnF (Bibliothèque nationale de France):** 13486659p * **NDL (National Diet Library of Japan):** 00512644 * **National Library of Korea ID:** KAC200409010 * **Wikidata Description:** American computer programmer (b. 1952) * **Dewey Decimal Classification:** 004.092 (Computer scientists) * **Goodreads Author ID:** 16770 He is also cataloged in the databases of the National Library of Israel, the National Library of Lithuania, the National Library of Poland, and the National Library of Latvia. His presence is recorded across multiple Wikipedia language editions (Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Japanese, etc.), confirming global recognition. ## References 1. International Standard Name Identifier 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. CiNii Research 4. SNAC 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. IdRef 7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File