[throwaway675309]

Completely agree. Things like shell scripting, debugging tools, IDE usage can all be naturally picked up on the job given whatever tools that they recommend you use at their company.

You know what you're not going to be able to pick up at your first software engineering position? Discrete mathematics or linear algebra.

[jrpelkonen]

Not trying to dismiss the importance of knowing discrete math etc. in general, but I would posit that vast majority of entry level swe positions require no knowledge of it.

However, knowing the tools of the trade is something that is invaluable. And yes, it can be picked up on the job, but deliberate learning and practice is more effective and less stressful.

[matwood]

> Not trying to dismiss the importance of knowing discrete math etc. in general, but I would posit that vast majority of entry level swe positions require no knowledge of it.

Directly, sure. I do think there is something about the rigor of the math thought process that lends itself to writing software. Thinking through algorithms and proofs is really not much different than writing code or debugging.

Even with tools I think learning concepts are better. I've used so many IDEs through my career, but they are all roughly the same conceptually. One thing that has helped though is embracing vim keystrokes and using them everywhere.