理論計算機科學在精神上是數(shù)學的、抽象的，但它是從實踐和日常計算中獲得動力的。其目的是了解計算的性質(zhì)，并因此提供更有效的方法。所有介紹或研究數(shù)學、邏輯和形式概念和方法的論文都是受歡迎的，前提是它們的動機明顯來自計算領(lǐng)域。有關(guān)提交和同行評審的任何疑問應發(fā)送至TCS編輯辦公室：tcs@elsevier.com。理論計算機科學發(fā)表的論文根據(jù)其性質(zhì)分為三個部分。第一部分“算法、自動機、復雜性和游戲”主要研究使用分析、組合或概率方法的算法及其復雜性。它包括整個領(lǐng)域的抽象復雜的層次結(jié)構(gòu)(即所有的結(jié)果可以定義使用圖靈機),整個自動機和語言理論(包括自動機在無限詞匯和infinitary語言),整個幾何(圖形)應用程序和整個測量系統(tǒng)性能使用統(tǒng)計方法。第二部分“邏輯、語義學和編程理論”專門介紹檢查程序?qū)傩曰驅(qū)崿F(xiàn)正式描述語言的形式方法；它包含了所有涉及順序和并行編程語言語義學的論文。所有處理這些問題的形式化方法都發(fā)表在本節(jié)中，包括重寫技術(shù)、抽象數(shù)據(jù)類型、自動定理證明、計算（如scp或ccs）、Petri網(wǎng)、新邏輯計算和分類方法的發(fā)展。第三部分“自然計算”專門研究自然中發(fā)生的計算和受自然啟發(fā)的計算。在計算機科學快速發(fā)展的領(lǐng)域中，自然計算作為人類設(shè)計計算與自然計算協(xié)同作用的催化劑發(fā)揮著重要作用。這種協(xié)同作用使人們對計算的本質(zhì)有了更深入、更廣泛的理解。雖然自然計算也與實驗和應用有關(guān)，但這一部分理論計算機科學的重點是自然計算的理論方面，與計算有著明顯的相關(guān)性。除此之外，它還將包含有關(guān)進化計算、神經(jīng)網(wǎng)絡(luò)、分子計算和量子計算等理論問題的論文。

Theoretical Computer Science is mathematical and abstract in spirit, but it derives its motivation from practical and everyday computation. Its aim is to understand the nature of computation and, as a consequence of this understanding, provide more efficient methodologies. All papers introducing or studying mathematical, logic and formal concepts and methods are welcome, provided that their motivation is clearly drawn from the field of computing.Any queries about submissions and peer review should be addressed to the TCS editorial office: tcs@elsevier.com.Papers published in Theoretical Computer Science are grouped in three sections according to their nature. The first section `Algorithms, automata, complexity and games' is devoted to the study of algorithms and their complexity using analytical, combinatorial or probabilistic methods. It includes the whole field of abstract complexity (i.e. all the results about the hierarchies that can be defined using Turing machines), the whole field of automata and language theory (including automata on infinite words and infinitary languages), the whole field of geometrical (graphic) applications and the whole field of measurement of system performance using statistical methods.The second section,`Logic, semantics and theory of programming', is devoted to formal methods to check properties of programs or implement formally described languages; it contains all papers dealing with semantics of sequential and parallel programming languages. All formal methods treating these problems are published in this section, including rewriting techniques, abstract data types, automatic theorem proving, calculi such as SCP or CCS, Petri nets, new logic calculi and developments in categorical methods.The third section, 'Natural Computing', is devoted to the study of computing occurring in nature and computing inspired by nature. In the rapidly evolving field of computer science, natural computing plays an important role as the catalyst for the synergy of human designed computing with the computing going on in nature. This synergy leads to a deeper and broader understanding of the nature of computation. Although natural computing is concerned also with experiments and applications, this section of Theoretical Computer Science is focused on the theoretical aspects of natural computing with clear relevance to computing. Among others, it will contain papers dealing with the theoretical issues in evolutionary computing, neural networks, molecular computing, and quantum computing.