Learning several programming languages at once
06-09-2011 at 09:44 AM
|
#16
|
|
Account Locked
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 7
Thanked:
1 Time
Liked:
Liked 2 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mahratta
They're probably easier than 3rd-year math electives...
Anyway, he needs at least one of them for co-op.
|
so just take the one, or he won't be in coop for much longer...... |
|
06-09-2011 at 09:46 AM
|
#17
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 974
Thanked:
89 Times
Liked:
366 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SydWishes
so just take the one, or he won't be in coop for much longer......
|
A first-year programming elective shouldn't be particularly difficult for a math major. A similarly easy elective (say, first year econ) wouldn't be as practical. Math co-op involves a lot of programming. |
|
06-09-2011 at 09:58 AM
|
#18
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 209
Thanked:
25 Times
Liked:
59 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Icecream
Not really, some programming languages are object oriented some aren't. There's a difference between the paradigms in each language (functional, imperative..)
|
I've worked with about 10 different languages so far on a basic level with no significant differences noticed. If you want to get really fancy you might start finding worlds of differences between languages but if you just need to know the basics which he'll most likely be doing, I doubt there'll be phenomenal difference.
__________________
Schuyler
|
|
06-09-2011 at 10:05 AM
|
#19
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 974
Thanked:
89 Times
Liked:
366 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjager
I've worked with about 10 different languages so far on a basic level with no significant differences noticed. If you want to get really fancy you might start finding worlds of differences between languages but if you just need to know the basics which he'll most likely be doing, I doubt there'll be phenomenal difference.
|
Icecream's right; there are actually lots of differences. You may not notice them if you learn programming languages on a case-by-case syntactic basis, however, which I think you may have done (hence giving the reason why you didn't really notice the differences).
Of course, it's also possible that all 10 languages were of the same particular sort.
Theoretically, languages are constructed (or at least, were constructed) with particular qualifications in mind (eg. functional vs. imperative), so it's worth keeping the qualifications in mind. |
|
06-09-2011 at 10:23 AM
|
#20
|
|
Trolling ain't easy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,190
Thanked:
499 Times
Liked:
1,642 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjager
I've worked with about 10 different languages so far on a basic level with no significant differences noticed. If you want to get really fancy you might start finding worlds of differences between languages but if you just need to know the basics which he'll most likely be doing, I doubt there'll be phenomenal difference.
|
This. All the languages the guy seems to be using are imperative languages... unless he's designing huge systems, he won't see much difference between them all.
__________________
Dillon Dixon
Alumni
Software Engineering and Embedded Systems
|
|
06-09-2011 at 10:26 AM
|
#21
|
|
Crazy Physicist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 556
Thanked:
61 Times
Liked:
313 Times
|
I like to think of programming languages as the romantic languages. On paper very different but if you are fluent in one the others sound familiar.
__________________
Alumni
|
|
06-09-2011 at 10:31 AM
|
#22
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 154
Thanked:
20 Times
Liked:
27 Times
|
Haha it seems like the first half of the thread is telling me I'll die and the second half is telling me I'll be fine. What do? But as Mahratta said, if I don't take one or two of these programming courses, I'll be taking third year math electives anyways, like geometry or number theory, which I can only assume would be just as hard or even harder
|
|
06-09-2011 at 10:33 AM
|
#23
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 974
Thanked:
89 Times
Liked:
366 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RankNullity
Haha it seems like the first half of the thread is telling me I'll die and the second half is telling me I'll be fine. What do? But as Mahratta said, if I don't take one or two of these programming courses, I'll be taking third year math electives anyways, like geometry or number theory, which I can only assume would be just as hard or even harder
|
Take geometry with me!
Anyway, 3Q isn't really a 'programming course' from what I've heard / seen of it. It's numerical analysis - you'll just be using MATLAB as a tool (which basically uses math syntax anyway). So if you're going to worry about anything for that course, that thing shouldn't be the programming. |
|
06-09-2011 at 10:36 AM
|
#24
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 154
Thanked:
20 Times
Liked:
27 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mahratta
Take geometry with me!
Anyway, 3Q isn't really a 'programming course' from what I've heard / seen of it. It's numerical analysis - you'll just be using MATLAB as a tool (which basically uses math syntax anyway). So if you're going to worry about anything for that course, that thing shouldn't be the programming.
|
Yeah that's true. I think I'll be taking Math 3Q03 for sure since it's recommended. And most likely I'll be taking the Comp sci course. And I think geometry would end me! |
|
06-09-2011 at 10:39 AM
|
#25
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 974
Thanked:
89 Times
Liked:
366 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RankNullity
Yeah that's true. I think I'll be taking Math 3Q03 for sure since it's recommended. And most likely I'll be taking the Comp sci course. And I think geometry would end me!
|
Haha - did you like the stuff we did in 2XX with Dr Wang (other than the final)? 3B03 will be a continuation of that (differential geometry), from what I've heard. |
|
06-09-2011 at 10:44 AM
|
#26
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 154
Thanked:
20 Times
Liked:
27 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mahratta
Haha - did you like the stuff we did in 2XX with Dr Wang (other than the final)? 3B03 will be a continuation of that (differential geometry), from what I've heard.
|
That stuff was alright. Near the end of the course though I was pretty much lost. And I did absolutely horrible on the exam haha. Which is why I don't think geometry would be the best fit for me. Though I did hear the prof teaching it this year is the most lenient prof ever |
|
06-09-2011 at 10:47 AM
|
#27
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 974
Thanked:
89 Times
Liked:
366 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RankNullity
That stuff was alright. Near the end of the course though I was pretty much lost. And I did absolutely horrible on the exam haha. Which is why I don't think geometry would be the best fit for me. Though I did hear the prof teaching it this year is the most lenient prof ever
|
Ah, I see. The stuff at the end of the course was more differential geometry, so I guess you're right.
I think it's fair to say that everyone got destroyed by that final, but we got a nice boost... |
|
06-09-2011 at 11:55 AM
|
#28
|
|
Power Abuser
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,170
Thanked:
246 Times
Liked:
459 Times
|
|
|
06-09-2011 at 12:00 PM
|
#29
|
|
Elite Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,014
Thanked:
406 Times
Liked:
2,312 Times
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RankNullity
Haha it seems like the first half of the thread is telling me I'll die and the second half is telling me I'll be fine. What do? But as Mahratta said, if I don't take one or two of these programming courses, I'll be taking third year math electives anyways, like geometry or number theory, which I can only assume would be just as hard or even harder
|
Well it kind of depends on what kind of student you are and what other courses you'll be taking! |
|
06-09-2011 at 12:11 PM
|
#30
|
|
Offical Deal Blogger
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,016
Thanked:
82 Times
Liked:
160 Times
|
Personally I found Matlab easy, but then again i guess I like programming. I havent token a courses with matlab yet but i used it during a job placement I had in high school at ryerson. I self taught and was actually able to know enough to make a contribution to a research project. I would stick to the course that teaches Java.
__________________
Due to sig restrictions, see my about me for more info on MI DealsBlogger!
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
McMaster University News and Information, Student-run Community, with topics ranging from Student Life, Advice, News, Events, and General Help.
Notice: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the student(s) who authored the content. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by McMaster University or the MSU (McMaster Students Union). Being a student-run community, all articles and discussion posts on MacInsiders are unofficial and it is therefore always recommended that you visit the official McMaster website for the most accurate up-to-date information.
| |
