Maths Programming

copz

Do you have to be good at maths to do programming, python,perl,java

yoyo

I would say it would certainly help a good bit, doing computer science atm and programming certainly is mathematical, mainly logic

Nick

copz

What about the languages like java,python,perl

padraig_f

theoretically no, you don't need a strong textbook knowledge of maths to do most programming work.

but they use such similar skillsets....logical reasoning, deduction, conceptualisation of abstract models, that I think if you struggled with maths, you would also be likely to struggle with programming.

the language doesn't matter so much. some languages make the basics easier but any significant-sized program will be complex in structure, whatever the language.

you shouldn't let that put you off trying though. anyone should be able to write small, hobbyist programs. also, some people may have been taught maths poorly in school, but have decent logical ability.

bonzodog2

It depends on the type of software you want to develop, most programming, in whatever language, wouldn't require any really advanced maths. A good grasp of logic, and a methodical approach, would be a good help tho.

yoyo

copz wrote: »

What about the languages like java,python,perl

I'm doing Java ME programming atm (also done C, C++, Java) programming, as said, its more like a language you can get fluent at, but there is a good bit of logic behind the whole thing,

Nick

Noxin

padraig_f wrote: »

theoretically no, you don't need a strong t I think if you struggled with maths, you would also be likely to struggle with programming.

Not guaranteed though. I always sucked at maths. For Junior cert, leaving cert I did horrible. Funny thing was, my programming skills were quite good. I could never figure out why you needed such a high maths score in the leaving cert to get into a lot of college degree programs.

padraig_f

Noxin wrote: »

Not guaranteed though. I always sucked at maths.

Fair enough, and in programming, passion for the subject goes a long way. I met people who had good qualifications but had no passion or curiosity for programming, and failed miserably at it.

I still think you're using broadly similar skills for programming as for maths, but maybe the way programming was presented appealed to you better.

It's also fair to say that while programming and maths may have things in common, they're not the same either. Maths is more purely theoretical/conceptual. Programming, no matter how good you become, or how much design you do, is always going to be a process of trial-and-error. In that way it's maybe closer to scientific experiment or engineering.