The 38th International Conference on Current Trends in Theory and Practice of Computer Science was held in Špindlerův Mlýn on January 21–27, 2012. SOFSEM (SOFtware SEMinar) is the annual international winter conference devoted to the theory and practice of computer science. Its aim is to present the latest developments in research for professionals from academia and industry, working in leading areas of computer science. In memory of Alan Turing, whose 100th anniversary is being observed during 2012, SOFSEM 2012 hosted a session on Turing machines. This session consisted of invited and contributed talks on Turing machines as the basic model of computability and complexity. SOFSEM 2012 was among the official Centenary Events of The Alan Turing Year. and Martin Řimnáč.