Do you need to be good at Maths to be a great coder?

[burnttoastnice]

After a buttload of research, I should probably let you know that ALL the top universities in the UK accept nothing less than a grade A or B in Maths at GCSE as a minimum entry requirement for Computing & Compter Science related courses.

[Brenz]

After a buttload of research, I should probably let you know that ALL the top universities in the UK accept nothing less than a grade A or B in Maths at GCSE as a minimum entry requirement for Computing & Compter Science related courses.

 

GCSE maths isn't exactly a high level qualification and GCSEs in general matter very little when applying to any university. UCAS points don't even count GCSEs.

 

Either way logic is much more important in most programming careers.

[Stuff_]

Short answer from me is yes.

 

Will you use it? No. But it would be great to understand number theory and combinations/permutations. Along with manipulating binary, hex, and octal numbers.

[vorticalbox]

After a buttload of research, I should probably let you know that ALL the top universities in the UK accept nothing less than a grade A or B in Maths at GCSE as a minimum entry requirement for Computing & Compter Science related courses.

 

GCSE I will point out is middle school level of maths.

[VulsaviiK]

Short Answer - No

 

Long Answer - That largely depends

 

If you're planning to do it for a hobby, probably not. If you're planning to study it at University/College level, pretty good chance you'll need to learn some math. They'll teach it, and so far I haven't found it terribly difficult. One of my tutors did point out that in job interviews, it wouldn't be uncommon for your knowledge of programming and computing concepts to come under question. Depending on the kind of work you intend to do, you'll probably want to have a good understanding of those aforementioned, which would involve quite a bit of maths

 

At least that's my understanding of the issue

[somik]

Actually the first question is what type of programming do you intend to do.

 

• If you are looking to get into "designing" then basic arithmetic is fine.
• If you are planning to do games for pc/mobiles, basic math is required. You'll most probably work on binary (logic) and decimal base so basic arithmetic + logic level calculations will be sufficient.

You'll need more advanced math skills for working with micro-controllers or microprocessors where you have to directly interact with the RAM without the help of a programming IDE or OS.

 

I would suggest starting with the examples. You can probably find most codes for the things you need online anyway.

 

[Stuff_]

I think they keywords here are "great coder." To be a great coder, you need to understand a lot of concepts, including math.

[Thomas CG]

Math is important, but the most important I think is logic, being able to figure things out rapidly.

[babadoctor]

 

 

 

Absolutely false and you two clearly don't have a full understanding of what you are talking about.

 

 

Databases... not in the least unless the domain is mathematical that is. SQL is picked up almost subconsciously during the course of a career. I have experienced maybe one incident with date based queries in almost 10 years that presented a challenge.

 

 

 

 

These are essentially the truth and generally how you will find it to be in the real world. I have dyscalculia and it hasn't stopped me for getting to where I am today. That said there are certain doors that will forever remain closed I am sure... but I can't say that I'd really want to go through those in all honesty.

 

dude wtf r u saying

you clearly dont know that you need a clear understanding of algebra to even DO javascript... well, you will have a much much harder time doing it 

[SpaceNugget]

dude wtf r u saying

you clearly dont know that you need a clear understanding of algebra to even DO javascript... well, you will have a much much harder time doing it 

Don't waste your time.

[babadoctor]

Don't waste your time.

gg

[Stuff_]

I really think this shows the maturity we have on LTT when it comes to programmers.

[Casperian]

It really depends on your field. For the most part, an understanding of system architecture and software design will allow you to do almost anything you want but some things require more complex maths.

 

I want to do graphics development so, for me, indepth knowledge of linear algebra is pretty much mandatory.

[kajar9]

I don't see why one would even attempt to undertake such a thing when there are large numbers of very well established and mature databases out there that have been written and are supported by very large multi million/billion $ companies (and even open source)... To do so would be ludicrous and if you feel the need to be constantly reinventing the wheel in this way then your doing something very wrong.

 

What specific scenario do you have that you feel doesn't fit the use of an already established database? Are you contributing to an open source project?

 

My response : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_invented_here

For example : My University... top notch tech university... but some things they do just makes us scratch our heads.

[Nuluvius]

My response : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Not_invented_here

For example : My University... top notch tech university... but some things they do just makes us scratch our heads.

Yeah ok that's valid. I got to watch a catastrophe only recently due to this particular ethos.

[AstroBenny]

Damn, I never expected this many responses!