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  3. How much knowing math well helps programmer?!

How much knowing math well helps programmer?!

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  • H hakz code

    Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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    CPallini
    wrote on last edited by
    #5

    The brave coder safely ignores both math and programming.

    If the Lord God Almighty had consulted me before embarking upon the Creation, I would have recommended something simpler. -- Alfonso the Wise, 13th Century King of Castile.
    This is going on my arrogant assumptions. You may have a superb reason why I'm completely wrong. -- Iain Clarke
    [My articles]

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    • H hakz code

      Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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      R Giskard Reventlov
      wrote on last edited by
      #6

      It helps, indeed; but I don't consider my math skills to be very strong and I've never had a problem. Suppose it depends upon what you are doing.

      "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair. nils illegitimus carborundum me, me, me

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      • H hakz code

        Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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        Lost User
        wrote on last edited by
        #7

        Maybe not integral or differential, but at least 5 times 5 is 25 should help a lot!

        - Just that something can be done, doesn't mean it should be done. Respect developers and their efforts! Jk

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        • H hakz code

          Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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          musefan
          wrote on last edited by
          #8

          As he works with algorithms I guess he is saying it is important? I say it is not required, it depends on the type of programming. You mentioned "knowing" maths which I think is not the same as being good at maths. In my opinion, good logic skills is a big help for programming, and I would say good logic and good maths usually come together. That said thou, you can just learn programming techniques and when they should be applied, and you can work from there. So my answer is, it helps to be good at maths, but you don't need it

          My opinions are right, and yours are wrong! (or at least that is my opinion)

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          • M musefan

            As he works with algorithms I guess he is saying it is important? I say it is not required, it depends on the type of programming. You mentioned "knowing" maths which I think is not the same as being good at maths. In my opinion, good logic skills is a big help for programming, and I would say good logic and good maths usually come together. That said thou, you can just learn programming techniques and when they should be applied, and you can work from there. So my answer is, it helps to be good at maths, but you don't need it

            My opinions are right, and yours are wrong! (or at least that is my opinion)

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            Lost User
            wrote on last edited by
            #9

            But logic is (a subset of) maths.

            Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

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            • M musefan

              As he works with algorithms I guess he is saying it is important? I say it is not required, it depends on the type of programming. You mentioned "knowing" maths which I think is not the same as being good at maths. In my opinion, good logic skills is a big help for programming, and I would say good logic and good maths usually come together. That said thou, you can just learn programming techniques and when they should be applied, and you can work from there. So my answer is, it helps to be good at maths, but you don't need it

              My opinions are right, and yours are wrong! (or at least that is my opinion)

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              H Offline
              Henry Minute
              wrote on last edited by
              #10

              Mental block or deliberate error[^]?

              Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.

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              • H hakz code

                Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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                hairy_hats
                wrote on last edited by
                #11

                Which area of maths? Having a firm grasp of logic will be more important on a daily basis than being able to perform loop integrals.

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                • H hairy_hats

                  But what is Art?

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                  Keith Barrow
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #12

                  The shortest route to flipping burgers :)

                  Sort of a cross between Lawrence of Arabia and Dilbert.[^]
                  -Or-
                  A Dead ringer for Kate Winslett[^]

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                  • H hairy_hats

                    But what is Art?

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                    TorstenH
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #13

                    Art is overrated. Beside of that is programming a creative workflow. But not much more creative than a craftsmen's job.

                    regards Torsten I never finish anyth...

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                    • H hakz code

                      Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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                      Dalek Dave
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #14

                      Algebra is important, other than that, general arithmatic is al you need unless you are developing for a very arcane discipline that requires obtuse and cryptic sums.

                      ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

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                      • H hakz code

                        Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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                        rah_sin
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #15

                        Without understanding maths you can not understand how to apply logic and entire programing is based on logic. rahul

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                        • D Dalek Dave

                          Algebra is important, other than that, general arithmatic is al you need unless you are developing for a very arcane discipline that requires obtuse and cryptic sums.

                          ------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC Link[^] Trolls[^]

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                          hairy_hats
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #16

                          Dalek Dave wrote:

                          unless you are developing for a very arcane discipline that requires obtuse and cryptic sums.

                          Such as accounting, where very large sums on the Income sheet magically become small ones when moved to the Tax Due sheet.

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                          • H hakz code

                            Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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                            David1987
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #17

                            Not all area's of math help equally much, and it depends on the kind of program. Linear algebra knowledge is useful when doing 3D graphics but not so much outside of it. Knowledge of bitwise math is useful when optimizing for speed and in low level hardware access, but otherwise not often needed. I've never seen calculus skills being useful, and calculus is IMO best left to Wolfram Alpha, because it makes far fewer mistakes than you would. Personally I've found that when designing algorithms, knowing techniques used in other algorithms is more useful than math.

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                            • T TorstenH

                              Art is overrated. Beside of that is programming a creative workflow. But not much more creative than a craftsmen's job.

                              regards Torsten I never finish anyth...

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                              hairy_hats
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #18

                              TorstenH. wrote:

                              Art is overrated.

                              A lot of art certainly is, but I don't think you can dismiss the total artistic output of the human race as overrated.

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                              • L Lost User

                                But logic is (a subset of) maths.

                                Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

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                                musefan
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #19

                                I am not sure if you are for or against my comment with that one? However, there are multiple definitions of "Logic" so if you are against me then I meant one of the other ones :laugh:

                                My opinions are right, and yours are wrong! (or at least that is my opinion)

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                                • H hakz code

                                  Recently I had a fun discussion with my colleague(he works on algorithms) on this topic, thought you guys would give some insight.

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                                  PIEBALDconsult
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #20

                                  About the hardest math I've ever needed was a little simple algebra to place something on the screen in the desired location. I don't consider myself good at math.

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                                  • L Lost User

                                    Something you do to make yourself happy and then everyone else argues about whether it is shit or not.

                                    Every man can tell how many goats or sheep he possesses, but not how many friends.

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                                    Nagy Vilmos
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #21

                                    ChrisElston wrote:

                                    Something you do to make yourself happy and then everyone else argues about whether it is sh*t or not.

                                    Sounds like coding to me. :-D


                                    Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett

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                                    • H Henry Minute

                                      Mental block or deliberate error[^]?

                                      Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.

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                                      Mike Hankey
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #22

                                      Good eye. He does seem hung up on that word doesn't he?

                                      I may be schizophrenic, but at least I have each other.

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                                      • H Henry Minute

                                        Mental block or deliberate error[^]?

                                        Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.

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                                        musefan
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #23

                                        I will say that one is deliberate. I have a habit of using that one quite a lot when I mean though - personally I think it does the job so I am happy enough with that. I do tend to make a lot a grammar mistakes similar to this though (2 extra seconds wasted they're :)) and that just comes with typing what I think and not taking time to look back at the context of the words. Knowing how picky you all are over grammar thou, I know that you will all understand exactly what I am trying to say anyway, so proof reading before I post is a waste of time

                                        My opinions are right, and yours are wrong! (or at least that is my opinion)

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                                        • H hairy_hats

                                          TorstenH. wrote:

                                          Art is overrated.

                                          A lot of art certainly is, but I don't think you can dismiss the total artistic output of the human race as overrated.

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                                          TorstenH
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #24

                                          Art can just be valued on rating it. Most times the pure piece of art is not much - but as it gets rated it becomes "something special".

                                          regards Torsten I never finish anyth...

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