Is Programming For Me?

So basically I want to pursue a career in computer programming. I'm really interested in software development, especially in the video game sector.


From what some people have told me, if I'm not at all good in mathematics then programming isn't the thing for me.

For me, mathematics isn't one of my strongest points but I do my best to grasp and understand it. For the university course I want to apply to, it requires 2 Physics and Chemistry. Again I was told that in order to do well in Physics, I would have to be good at mathematics. I've done pretty well in Physics so far even though I lack the skills in mathematics.

I've never really done any sort of programming before. I've only ever had experience in HTML but I wasn't an expert at it. (Learned it myself over a summer)

Taking a computer science course at the moment and so far I've had no troubles at all.

With math being a key skill for programming and I lacking in some areas, I'm just worried that I may have regrets pursuing a career in programming in the future.

Would like some help/input from people experienced with programming.

 

If you're bad at math, physics 2 will destroy you. (If the physics 2 class is the standard calculus based E&M, that is)

 

Algorithms might give you some trouble if you have trouble with math. Doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue it -- who cares if it takes you longer to do something.

 

A good teacher or tutor or friend can help you through the math no problem. Pursue your dreams!

 

I'm a computer science major and i'm near the top of my class and I've never been good at math. My perspective is that when people say you need to be good in math they're really talking about analytical and so-called "break-down" skills. Abstraction is one thing but modularization is also important.

What saves me is that Java does a lot of the math for you. Java is more similar to spanish than a new form of calculus, in my opinion. It's just a language you use to speak with the computer. For example, I may not know what
x = <super complicated algorithm>
will result to, but as long as I type in the algorithm correctly Java will do the work for me.

That kind've stops at the point when formulas and algorithms are no longer given to you and instead you have a problem more like here are 3 numbers and here is what we're trying to find, realize an algorithm and implement it using the Java language (as, more or less, most of my exams look like)

My problems are still relatively simple though. If you extrapolate that thinking to a career in the industry obviously you would not pursue a career with a company that explores space with no knowledge of algorithms/formulas related to planets and the like. You wouldn't work for a video game company without knowing the idea behind game engines, etc etc

What i'm trying to say is, math may be hard but google is a very real thing. & when it's not, ask someone, or just take a little longer to do it..both in university and industry the format is "do this, you have x amount of time". Your x just might be a little longer, as stated previously.

Follow your dreams!

 

@Thanks at everyone for the help/input. I'll definitely pursue my dreams

Hopefully I'll enjoy what's in store.

 

If you ever want to talk about Java feel free to message me

 

There will always be points of a job or course that you're not so good at. I fucking hate history but I had to do it for a whole year to get psychology, sociology and politics down.

I scraped passes in history and passed everything else well; which was enough to pass the course.

Same goes here, I guess.

 

i'm surprisingly alright with java after taking 3 courses on it, and Like that comp sci major above said, it's a lot like speaking a diff language, math isn't a huge part of it. of course the deeper you go into more advanced programming languages like c++ and c# or whatever, it gets more math intensive

however, my local university offers a comp sci major, and every year you have to take 3+ different math courses.... i think that's why a lot of people say it's helpful to like and be good at math, because i'm sure none of those math classes are easy at all and probably end up being a PITA

 

You can program with not all that much math. In the video game arenea you may need more but for the majority you just need to know logic and some basic math.

 

just go for it mate better to try and fail then not to try atall

 

Programming languages use a lot of terms similar to what you'll find in math. Function, variable, exc. But that doesn't mean you have to be good at math to program. As long as you understand and know how to use the keywords c++, java, or whatever language has provided you with, you'll be fine. By keywords, I mean things like 'int', 'strcpy','char','NULL', exc.

I'd recommend you start learning languages such as c++ or c#, then move into java, then look into android development. Android development is a MASSIVE plus when looking for a programming job and android is just an extension of java.

 

Just train your weakness bro, math isn't hard to learn beside mental math,

 

The first part makes no sense..... First of all C# isn't more advanced, C++ could be said that it's used by advanced programmers as you have to handle memory etc a lot more. Secondly different languages aren't more math intensive that's garbage.

@OP: How bad at math are you? Game development requires a lot of physics/math so you're probably better off staying clear of it.

 

Well the only real struggle I had with G11 Math was having to constantly remember every unit. Quad + Func, Trig, Seq Series, ect. Individually I understand the concepts pretty well and know what I'm doing most of the time. Physics surprisingly wasn't at all difficult for me.

I kind of have short term memory if you could call it that.
It's hard for me to remember something since usually my brain will randomly remember something but not other things. Atm I'm taking a computer science course and we've been introduced to basic Java. So far I'm having no troubles at all.

 

I really want to pursue a career in this also

 

You can learn anything you want.

 

Just take it anyway. Any meaningful major is going to have difficult classes. CS degrees are in demand and pay well.

 

Again I heard its not hard getting into programming, I believe you need 100 credits and knowledge of math

 

Anyone can do programming with a bit of practice and all