[ale] an aside - mathematics for programming

Glenn C. Lasher Jr. critter at wizvax.net
Tue Nov 21 09:11:03 EST 2000



Algebra is useful, because the processing of data is handled
algebraically, i.e. actual numbers get represented as labels.  Now, with a
solid background in algebra, you might be able to further optimise your
formulae.

Discrete mathematics is useful, because it will help with an understanding
of finite systems.  While computers are sufficiently vast in scope to
appear to be infinite, they are actually finite-state machines, and, as
such, need to be viewed in that light, lest the finity of the machine
manifest itself when you least expect it.  A perfect example of this would
be in audio sampling, which causes quantization noise.  Sampling at 8-bits
will cause the noise to be audible, but at 16-bits, it is below the
threshold of human hearing.  Likewise the sample rate, if less than 40kHz,
might cause audible artifacts.  These can mainfest elsewhere as well.

Calculus is useful because it provides a framework for taking concepts of
infinite detail, and taking on their ramifications, which would othwise
require the detail to be finite, e.g. the area under a curve, the slope of
the curve at a given point, etc.  

Accounting is useful because computers are used in business.  'nuf sed.

Statistics is useful for the same reason.

Hopefully this is helpful?

I also highly recommend taking a few hardware-oriented courses; I took a
course in digital logic, and another in networking.  These have paid off a
great deal in that I find I frequently have a full understanding, not just
of what went wrong, but *why* it went wrong, and can readily explain it to
my co-workers.

Again, I hope this helps.

On Tue, 21 Nov 2000, BG HEAD wrote:

> Although this is kinda off topic, I wanted to throw it
> out to the group:
> 
> I come from a non-technical background.  When I
> decided I wanted to be a programmer three years ago, I
> started working round the clock, reading everything I
> could lay my hands on, and actually accomplished what
> I sought...I'm now a relatively successful Java, C and
> Perl programmer.
> 
> But, I still continue to take night courses in
> computer science.  In my non-technical education, I
> only had one math course (elementary problem solving)
> and one statistics course.  Now as I look over the
> list of classes I could take in the spring, I'm
> confronted with a number of math prerequisites.  And
> everywhere I look, people are saying that Math is an
> important part of Computer Science training.  Even
> today on CNN.com in the story about Russian hackers,
> they say that math is CORE to hacking ability.  
> 
> I have no problem taking a few of these if I HAVE to,
> but my questions are:
> 
> 1. In my two years of programming, I've not run across
> a problem that really required any high-level
> mathematical concepts to solve.  What then, is the
> reason for the intensive math classes (i.e., algebra,
> calculus, geometry, etc.)?  When will classes like
> these come into play.
> 
> 2. If you agree that math is indeed necessary, what
> classes are ABSOLUTELY essential to be a successful
> and effective programmer at all levels?  What would
> you recommend that I take?
> 
> 3. Does anyone know of a general book that cover most
> of the math a typical programmer would need?
> 
> I appreciate your time and hope you don't mind lack of
> Linux subject matter.  
> 
> Thanks,
> bigh3ad
> 
> 
> 
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Critter at Wizvax.Net
159 days is too long to wait for Telocity and Verizon to hook up my DSL.

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