Should I not even attempt to learn any programming languages until I reach a higher math than I'm in now?

[Nocturnal]

I'm in Math 25 which is called Elementary Algebra II at my community college. We're learning about polynomials and how to factor them right now. I'm wondering if I should not even touch a programming book until I reach a higher math level/course.

What do you think?

 

[dighn]

you don't need a lot of math to learn programming. it's mostly logic, that is until you get into very theoretical things or have to write programs that deal with complicated computation.

i'd say even without a lot of math background, you can still do pretty complicated programming.

 

[KeyserSoze]

Definitely couldn't hurt to get started if it interests you. You can do basic programming for now, and math is not really necessary unless your doing algorithms, or stuff like that. I also think it just helps your analytical thinking when programming. But for now, you can do simple C++ stuff, or even pick up a VB book. But I reccomend with C++, and start off with stuff like making small console applications, then reading/writing to files.

Just a thought.




KeyserSoze

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
I'm in Math 25 which is called Elementary Algebra II at my community college. We're learning about polynomials and how to factor them right now. I'm wondering if I should not even touch a programming book until I reach a higher math level/course.

What do you think?

You don't need much math at all to write a program. I've taken several programming courses and for most simple programs you don't need anything beyond basic stuff ( + , - , * , / ).

 

[notfred]

if you can't do something like this: x = (y * z) / (a - b) or if it gives you any trouble at all, then, programming isn't something you're ready for. I don't know exactly what you're learning in class, but if it's called "elementary algebra" I doubt you're very far beyond the equation I posted.

 

[Nocturnal]

Why does one say I need math and then the other three says I don't. This is where I get confused. It's like do I truly need all this math or don't I?

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Why does one say I need math and then the other three says I don't. This is where I get confused. It's like do I truly need all this math or don't I?

well for many programs you wouldn't need a lot of math. but what you are taking is fairly basic math.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Why does one say I need math and then the other three says I don't. This is where I get confused. It's like do I truly need all this math or don't I?

You can learn programming languages without knowing advanced forms of math.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Why does one say I need math and then the other three says I don't. This is where I get confused. It's like do I truly need all this math or don't I?

You can learn programming languages without knowing advanced forms of math.

Elementary Algebra is not "advanced forms of math".

 

[IanthePez]

It really depends what you want to program.....if you are writing a program like a calculator, of course you need math! That being said, learn something easy and as long as you don't try to program something huge, you'll get some good experience and won't need too much math.

 

[Whitecloak]

you dont need to be a whiz in math to programming. logic is your guide for designing a program. You might need to know maths simply because most of the problems you will be solving through programming will be maths related.

 

[AndyHui]

You don't need mathematics. All you need is the ability to think logically and clearly.

I do programming for a living, and I never took higher mathematics.

 

[Chaotic42]

Yeah, you don't need a lot of math. I'm not a professional programmer, but look at the linux kernel code for instance. You don't need to be able to do integrals to code that.

Obviously if you are doing scientific programming you may need it, but for for standard IT fare.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: notfred
if you can't do something like this: x = (y * z) / (a - b) or if it gives you any trouble at all, then, programming isn't something you're ready for. I don't know exactly what you're learning in class, but if it's called "elementary algebra" I doubt you're very far beyond the equation I posted.

What does that equation have to do with programming?

 

[EyeMWing]

I'm in Comp Sci right now - doing Java. Nice language despite all its shortcomings, similar to C++. I've already looked through the entire curriculum and the most complex thing in there are some quadratics. Go for it - it won't hurt. You may learn MORE about math

 

[NogginBoink]

Advanced math is not a prerequisite for programming.

If you can do arithmetic, learn boolean algebra and fire up the compiler.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Yeah, you don't need calculus to program or anything. I'd just go ahead and start now if you have the time. I'd reccomend Java to start with even though it may be a little harder because it will help you keep all of your punctuation correct.

 

[Vortex22]

Why do CS and IT majors require rediculous amounts of high level math courses then? That is the only reason I will probably end up with some kind of Business major.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Vortex22
Why do CS and IT majors require rediculous amounts of high level math courses then? That is the only reason I will probably end up with some kind of Business major.

I got a C.S. degree and the hardest math I had to take was discrete math. Math is necessary to understand computer science on a theoretical level, but not so much on a practical level.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: notfred
if you can't do something like this: x = (y * z) / (a - b) or if it gives you any trouble at all, then, programming isn't something you're ready for. I don't know exactly what you're learning in class, but if it's called "elementary algebra" I doubt you're very far beyond the equation I posted.

What does that equation have to do with programming?

Nothing specifically, except that many of the concepts from basic algebra translate similarly into programming. Parenthesis for affecting operation precedence, the assignment operator, etc. If he can't understand the simple equation above he's going to have a hell of a hard time with something like this:

String name = ((JTextField)mainComp.getComponent(0)).getText();

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: notfred
if you can't do something like this: x = (y * z) / (a - b) or if it gives you any trouble at all, then, programming isn't something you're ready for. I don't know exactly what you're learning in class, but if it's called "elementary algebra" I doubt you're very far beyond the equation I posted.

What does that equation have to do with programming?

Nothing specifically, except that many of the concepts from basic algebra translate similarly into programming. Parenthesis for affecting operation precedence, the assignment operator, etc. If he can't understand the simple equation above he's going to have a hell of a hard time with something like this:

String name = ((JTextField)mainComp.getComponent(0)).getText();

I'll agree with that. I had a friend in college who had the toughtest time knowing when and where he needed parentheses. He didn't understand that the compiler couldn't just guess what he wanted it to do correctly. Each language has its own order of operations, and it does take a reasonable understanding of mathematics to make things work the way you want them to - or figure out why they are not. I think Nocturnal can handle basic C++ though.

 

[Nocturnal]

I just wanna say thanks to those who believe in me. I'm glad there are honest people out there. I know about PEMDAS and order of operations.

Thanks again. Anandtech is TRULY worth my $30.00 subscription.

 

[illusion88]

You can learn HTML!
Or QBASIC / BASIC

You dont need much math for either of those.

 

[KingNothing]

I learned programming and order of operations before I learned algebra, but the biggest hump I had to get over was this:

x = x + 1

In an algebra context, that's a contradiction. X can't be itself and one more than itself at the same time. In any imperative (i.e. C, C++, Java, [insert popular language]) language, however, that means:

Take the value of x, add 1 to it, and assign that new value to x.

If you can understand that, as well as basic stuff like order of operations, you won't have any problem programming.

Edit: Some languages use different operators for assignment and equality, For instance:

Pascal:

x = 1 <-- equality
x := 1 <-- assignment of the value of 1 to x

C/C++:

x == 1 <-- equality
x = 1 <-- assignment of the value of 1 to x

 

[Cerb]

If you managed basic geometry and algebra, you can do programming.
The math classes are generally suggested for people who hate math and are lazy.
If you're one of those people, then likely you don't have a good innate sense of logic and order (problem solving).
If you're not one of those people, you'll hardly ever need higher maths, and should be fine.
If you are one of those people, parenthesis, order of operations, and all the behaviors when you start mixing ands and ors will totally throw you off, so you'd need the math to refresh your ability to deal with the notation(s).