Should i take programming degree ?

[Edward.s]

I'm currently diploma student of accounting and finance and taking the degree next year. I'm considering of getting second degree/diploma in computer programming afterwards. The thing that holds me back is I suck at math. I heard that programming requires math skills(?) and I had absolutely ZERO programming background. Can someone suggest whether i should take the degree or just give up ? would also like to hear some of your experience for those who took degree/diploma in programming 

[m0k]

if you can study outside of a classroom, save your money and use online resources

[LeapFrogMasterRace]

There really isn't actually that much complex math unless you are doing things like writing code for gpu drivers. Most of the math is really simple and you can learn from a quick youtube video if you get stumped for some reason. Do you think you won't be happy with an Accounting job? You can always learn coding on your own in your free time however if you choose to take programming they like to also make you take math classes not sure if you already covered them already for the accounting degree so you should check with a guidance counselor or someone similar. 

[daniellearmouth]

If you're going to go for a degree, you may as well go for a computer science degree rather than a programming one.

 

One can easily be taught to you by way of tutorials and other free resources.

The other - whilst still teachable by the same ways - is generally more complex and will likely be beneficial if you seek some sort of tutelage first.

[Captain_Sisko]

Programming generally requires a mathematical thought process, as computers cannot think abstractly. That said, you're not going to directly apply advanced mathematical concepts unless you write gpu drivers etc.

[Edward.s]

5 minutes ago, mok said:

if you can study outside of a classroom, save your money and use online resources

thought of that but had no idea where to start and how 

 

2 minutes ago, LeapFrogMasterRace said:

There really isn't actually that much complex math unless you are doing things like writing code for gpu drivers. Most of the math is really simple and you can learn from a quick youtube video if you get stumped for some reason. Do you think you won't be happy with an Accounting job? You can always learn coding on your own in your free time however if you choose to take programming they like to also make you take math classes not sure if you already covered them already for the accounting degree so you should check with a guidance counselor or someone similar. 

 

I'm perfectly fine getting a job as an accountant but programming is just something i want to be able to do. i dont think accounting degree have any math class since it only requires simple calculation

[Edward.s]

5 minutes ago, daniellearmouth said:

If you're going to go for a degree, you may as well go for a computer science degree rather than a programming one.

 

One can easily be taught to you by way of tutorials and other free resources.

The other - whilst still teachable by the same ways - is generally more complex and will likely be beneficial if you seek some sort of tutelage first.

 

Sorry, how are they different ? 

[Edward.s]

5 minutes ago, Captain_Sisko said:

Programming generally requires a mathematical thought process, as computers cannot think abstractly. That said, you're not going to directly apply advanced mathematical concepts unless you write gpu drivers etc.

 

 

4 minutes ago, matzeesch said:

I mostly depends on your special subtopics but in general i would say that programming uses many things out of mathematic and especially if you calulate diffrent stuff math is everywhere. And I think if you don't like math programming is probably the wrong job/degree for you.

I start with my degree in software engineering in october but I allready have much experience.

But I would also say if you really like programming you will get the math you will need for your needs. Learning by doing

 

thanks, will put that into consideration 

[Edward.s]

1 minute ago, matzeesch said:

Than go and learn it yourself through the internet

Had no idea how and where to start. 

[daniellearmouth]

Just now, Edward.s said:

Sorry, how are they different ? 

Well, let's put it this way.

 

Very rarely do I hear about someone getting a job in that sector of sorts with a degree in programming.

However, a fair amount more I hear people using their compsci degrees to get a job.

 

But, since compsci deals a fair bit with mathematics, you're probably gonna want to avoid that and just learn programming on your own, really. After all, experience can be enough to help you get somewhere with it.

[Edward.s]

Would appreciate if someone can tell me how to start so i can get the gist of it 

[Edward.s]

2 minutes ago, daniellearmouth said:

Well, let's put it this way.

 

Very rarely do I hear about someone getting a job in that sector of sorts with a degree in programming.

However, a fair amount more I hear people using their compsci degrees to get a job.

 

But, since compsci deals a fair bit with mathematics, you're probably gonna want to avoid that and just learn programming on your own, really. After all, experience can be enough to help you get somewhere with it.

 

 

 

Thanks. Will put that into consideration 

[daniellearmouth]

1 minute ago, Edward.s said:

Would appreciate if someone can tell me how to start so i can get the gist of it 

Jerry over at Barnacules Nerdgasm does a programming segment called Codegasm. There's a few videos that teach how to do some programming, and they're relatively easy to follow along with.

 

[MaxBunny]

20 minutes ago, Edward.s said:

I'm currently diploma student of accounting and finance and taking the degree next year. I'm considering of getting second degree/diploma in computer programming afterwards. The thing that holds me back is I suck at math.

How can you be a graduate of accounting and finance but suck at math?

 

Programming degrees won't help you get better at programming just like math degrees won't help you learn math. You have to either know it or teach yourself/get a tutor that speaks to your brain. Then you get the piece of paper that lets you get a mediocre job and live a simple, semi-secured job life that gives you retirement when you're old and the life is drained out of you.

 

1 minute ago, Edward.s said:

Would appreciate if someone can tell me how to start so i can get the gist of it 

Start by thinking about what you want to do and then finding tutorials on how to do it. If you buy a book it'll waste your time on everything you don't need to know. If you take online tutorials they usually do the same. The only thing that matters is how well you can do exactly what you want to do. Think of programming like Chinese. If you try to learn it all in a structured setting you'll likely be overwhelmed. If you learn profanity, how to ask where the bathroom is, and how to read a menu though then you'll find it much easier to remember and understand.

[Edward.s]

2 minutes ago, daniellearmouth said:

Jerry over at Barnacules Nerdgasm does a programming segment called Codegasm. There's a few videos that teach how to do some programming, and they're relatively easy to follow along with.

 

 

 

 

Thanks!

[Edward.s]

1 minute ago, MaxBunny said:

How can you be a graduate of accounting and finance but suck at math?

 

Programming degrees won't help you get better at programming just like math degrees won't help you learn math. You have to either know it or teach yourself/get a tutor that speaks to your brain. Then you get the piece of paper that lets you get a mediocre job and live a simple, semi-secured job life that gives you retirement when you're old and the life is drained out of you.

 

Start by thinking about what you want to do and then finding tutorials on how to do it. If you buy a book it'll waste your time on everything you don't need to know. If you take online tutorials they usually do the same. The only thing that matters is how well you can do exactly what you want to do. Think of programming like Chinese. If you try to learn it all in a structured setting you'll likely be overwhelmed. If you learn profanity, how to ask where the bathroom is, and how to read a menu though then you'll find it much easier to remember and understand.

 

Accounting only requires simple math and easy to understand as it is usually based on real life events. the math here I'm referring to is the complicated ones with letters mixed in here and there. 

As for now i do not know what i want to do as i still dont know what it is capable of doing. Thanks anyway i might want to learn a bit before investing time and money into the degree

[MaxBunny]

2 minutes ago, Edward.s said:

As for now i do not know what i want to do as i still dont know what it is capable of doing. Thanks anyway i might want to learn a bit before investing time and money into the degree

You mean...you're looking to get into it for the money? Cause there isn't any. Not unless you're a guru at Google or IBM. Entry level programming positions is probably the worst job ever.

 

Some things you can do with programming are web code, making scripts (smaller code with more immediate functionality, to either extend functionality of something or to do some really lazy stuff), making software, making games, and sometimes making hacks (modifying the original intention of an item to make it do what you want to do). You don't learn programming and then figure out which ones you want to do. It's exactly the reverse.

 

So if your focus was on making websites, you would specifically look for web coding tutorials. If it was to make games you'd probably download a program like Game Maker or Unreal Engine and learn how to use their scripting. Whatever you decide on, if you decide to pursue it, make sure you're having fun. You can't force yourself into technical fields with willpower alone.

 

Algebra is easy to learn by the way. You can check out https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra and ask questions if you get stuck on anything. I accept direct pms, and chocolates if you have any.

[Nineshadow]

Yes, it does involve a lot of maths. Computers are, in the end, defined by a mathematical model and algorithms are designed to work on that. You could consider it a branch of applied mathematics. Anyway, it's not hard by any means, It's just...mathematics. And unless you're doing some clever algorithm or some other interesting things, you shouldn't have any problems considering you're a student and should have some knowledge of maths.

 

Anyway, before going for a degree in programming I suggest you try and learn a little bit from online sources. There's tons of good guides out there. You could even take a MOOC on Coursera on programming. It's free unless you want the diploma, which costs like ~$75 iirc.