The theory of computation is a branch of computer science that explores the fundamental capabilities and limitations of computers. It examines how problems can be solved using algorithms and what problems are solvable in principle. This field includes concepts such as automata theory, formal languages, and computability theory, which help define what can be computed and how efficiently. Key topics in the theory of computation include Turing machines, which are abstract models of computation, and complexity theory, which classifies problems based on the resources needed to solve them. Understanding these concepts helps in designing efficient algorithms and understanding the limits of computation.