[mamcx]

> - But is it reasonable to give them CS degrees without at least basic competence?

Yes, when we truly understand "competence".

A lot of "math" as talked here, is not part of what make a programmer competent FOR programming.

It only make you competent for THAT segments of math.

That is something that many has a hard time understanding: Programming is NOT math. Equally as math is NOT programming.

If you are studying FOR programming/CS, math is ASIDE. Is not the focus.

Similarly, if you are FOR math, programming is ASIDE. Is not the focus.

[mlyle]

> A lot of "math" as talked here, is not part of what make a programmer competent FOR programming.

Basic algebra is quite useful. It's reasonable to expect most programmers to be able to do simple algebra when it comes up. There's a whole lot of reasons:

- Analysis of algorithms and work done generally involves manipulating algebraic expressions and factoring.

- Reordering numeric expressions in code means understanding the composition of operations and invertibility.

- A whole lot of work can often be avoided by being able to derive an equivalent expression.

Yes, continuous math isn't "CS math" but it's a reasonable thing to expect a programmer to be competent in.

[mamcx]

> Basic algebra is quite useful

Similar, Perform music is too. And learn about accounting. Or law.

But IS still "aside". Sometimes, here in THIS function, I need to apply to algebra. But that is not the majority of the tasks, neither, learn algebra help me much about the whole endeavor (maybe only if I'm building an algebra library).

> but it's a reasonable thing to expect a programmer to be competent in.

Any person too?, maybe. I heard identical arguments in other fields. No joking, even in a law firm.

Curiously, by people that probably are better at THAT that the actual problem they have, in their niches, where -despite not be my job- I could have better idea...

[mlyle]

> But that is not the majority of the tasks, neither, learn algebra help me much about the whole endeavor (maybe only if I'm building an algebra library).

Sorry-- I completely and totally disagree with you. The core things I learned about mathematical structure in algebra classes have informed my entire programming career: pure functions, commutativity and associativity, factoring and composition. Both discrete and continuous math are necessary to be a computer scientist. Yes, you may be able to do some things without them... but you're going to be limited.

> Any person too?, maybe. I heard identical arguments in other fields. No joking, even in a law firm.

Algebra is basically required for a secondary education at this point, let alone college. Yes, it has broad applicability. Even in law: we expect many lawyers to be competent at calculations that are best addressed with algebra.

[fredophile]

If you want to learn to program go to a bootcamp or a 2 year college program. A degree in CS should be about much more than programming.

[mamcx]

> A degree in CS should be about much more than programming.

Sure, but CS is still about "Computing", not algebra or calculus!

[mlyle]

We're basically talking about machines that are the embodiment of applied mathematics. Yes, a lot is discrete, but a lot is very well approximated with algebra and algebra is an important tool to have at hand when tackling discrete math.