Does Math play a big role in programming?

[hazedoutdesi]

A few years ago in college i was taking computer science. I found out that the math was really complicated subject for me. So i wanted to know if someone is not that good with math can they still be a good programmer? or math revolves around programming and is very important?

[Tom Sawyer]

It depends what you're programming.

If you're writing an accounting program or a guidance system for a rocket, i'd say that math would be a helpful skill. If you're writing a business application that doesn't use much math, then probably not so much.

Sometimes you come across situations where knowing mathematical concepts will help you out, but for the vast majority of programming, it would be fairly moot whether you know it or not.

Now, if you want to delve behind the scenes to more fully understand what the program is doing and why, then mathematical concepts are useful, but they're not at all necessary to being a good programmer.

[schaefer]

Some of the more advanced math I learned in college I find is not really useful at all in writing code unless you get into game programming - then it is good to have a thorough understanding of Geometry and Calculus. However, most of the stuff that I write for companies is just boring reporting stuff and there it is more useful to understand how to use SQL to write complex queries. The most advanced math I ever needed was in writing a GPS tracking system that had to calculate distance on a curved surface (ie. the earth).

[Shaggy Hiker]

For work: I'm lucky if I get to use simple addition.
For hobby: Algebra and geometry all the time.

Basically, don't worry too much about it.

[hazedoutdesi]

Thank for the feedback.

I was thinking that math helps you solve problems better while programming. I didnt mean it like using actual math in the programs.

does logic play a big role? I have basic knowledge of VB6. im interested in fully learning vb.net but someone advised me i should learn c or c++ to learn the logic first. He also advised i take some courses in c or c++. Did you guys learn all on your own?

Thanks

[Shaggy Hiker]

I have never taken a course in computers or programming, but that's just because I'm old enough to have missed them.

I doubt math helps all that much with logic, but logic helps plenty with programming.

As for C/C++, I think that learning C++ gives a good overview of all the concepts, but whether or not it is essential is a different matter. You will learn OO concepts in VB, and the added stuff you would learn in C++ isn't going to make that much of a difference. It pretty much depends on what you want to work in.

[Hack]

This question has been asked a few times before. Here is another thread on this topic from just last December.

[Paul M]

If you do games programming then the maths can get quite hard, i have been learning some 3D development recently with XNA and there is some maths i need to do. I guess the MathHelper helps out a little

[techgnome]

When it comes down to the basics, I think these (in order) are some of the skills a developer needs:

1) Logic - more than anything else, programming is about logic.
2) Creativity - despite being a science, programming does have a certain amount of creativity to it
3) Math - programming involves some amount of math, for the most part & for most people, it's pretty basic and simple stuff. The complexity in the math is usually a derivative of the logic that was applied. Take our system, we generate invoices. Actually our system allows our clients to create invoices for their customers. At any rate, there is a pricing module, boiled down, it's a simple a * b function. but the logic around what a and b are makes most peoples heads explode --now if you get into gaming, then this moves up to #2
4) Adaptability - it's important to be able to adapt to the situation. thinking outside the box. Sometimes it means you have to climb back in the box too.

-tg

[hazedoutdesi]

When it comes down to the basics, I think these (in order) are some of the skills a developer needs:

1) Logic - more than anything else, programming is about logic.
2) Creativity - despite being a science, programming does have a certain amount of creativity to it
3) Math - programming involves some amount of math, for the most part & for most people, it's pretty basic and simple stuff. The complexity in the math is usually a derivative of the logic that was applied. Take our system, we generate invoices. Actually our system allows our clients to create invoices for their customers. At any rate, there is a pricing module, boiled down, it's a simple a * b function. but the logic around what a and b are makes most peoples heads explode --now if you get into gaming, then this moves up to #2
4) Adaptability - it's important to be able to adapt to the situation. thinking outside the box. Sometimes it means you have to climb back in the box too.

-tg

Very good post. Thanks for the useful information.
And thanks to everyone else too.

This forum board is the best one on the NET!!!

[penagate]

Set theory helps a lot with databases.

Logic is the basis of programming. I wouldn't say that maths helps with logic, but logic definitely helps with maths. And lots of mathematical laws can be reached with simple logic.
The ability to do critical, analytic thinking is far more important.


So, yes: what the others said.

[dbasnett]

I'd add these to techgnomes list

tedium
minutiae



There are not many programs without some math("Hello World"). And as has been discussed here, some a lot more than others.

[Paul M]

The hardest math based sort of stuff i have come across so far has been nested loops also involving some rescaling of an image. Otherwise it really won't get harder than that unless it is some sort of stock market, taxation or something along those lines sort of application

[dbasnett]

Adaptability

I was a brakeman on the railroad and I learned some valuable lessons about adaptability and logic. Here is my favorite problem, see if you can figure it out. Place CAR b at X. In my day the solution was not legal according to the railroad, but it didn't stop them from telling you to deliver the car.


A ==RED--CAR c -- CAR b -- CAR a -- ENGINE === Direction of Travel-->> B
*************************************+
**************************************\
***************************************\
****************************************\=========X==C


See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railroad_switch The A B C line up in the crude drawing and link.

Three people involved. Engineer must remain at controls at all times. Two brakemen that can be used and positioned where you want.

= track
+ switch
* rocks - for spacing purposes here, not part of problem or solution
\ siding track
RED rear end device - in my day it was a caboose

edit - your solution doesn't have to be 100% technically correct i.e. brakes. it is unlikely that you know how they work, even if you think you do.

There is a name for the procedure.

[techgnome]

hehehe.... the term is "humping".... engine takes cars A & B & places them on the line where X is.... decouples from b.... engine then routes A to alternate siding. Everyone then pushes car b until it starts to roll , then lets it go and it rolls into spot X... -OR- after car b is spotted, brakes are set, once all cars, engine and personnel are clear, brakes are released and everything rolls down hill. Yeah, RRs don't like it when their cars are humped.... never mind the fact that it's done all the time in the larger yards, where there is a hump at one end and they let gravity do it's job - which is where the term comes from.

-tg

[dbasnett]

This isn't humping, the problem is ONLY what is shown. See the link.

The direction of travel is from A to B and the engine is in the lead, which is the problem. If the direction of travel was B to A it would be easy.

Railroads use humping all the time.

http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/faciliti...ey/index.shtml

[dbasnett]

Solution is called a 'dutch drop'.

One brakeman at switch
Other brakeman
disconnects between b & c
rides on b at the b--a end
Engine accelerates toward switch with a and b. Before reaching switch brakeman disconnects b.
Engine speeds up
When engine and a are clear of switch the other brakeman throws switch
and b goes down siding. Hand brake is used to stop car b at X.

I knew some guys that 'dutch dropped' a load of steel at a factory on a Sunday morning. All went well until the chain that operates the hand brake failed. The factory had a nice big hole in their massive garage like doors, both sets. Mass and momentum