[andybak]

Couldn't disagree more. A recent link on HN was along the lines of "ability to mange complexity is the key differentiator of a good programmer" and I think this is vastly more important.

Most code has very little mathematics in - beyond the core skills of recognising patterns and abstractions. If that's all you mean by 'a good foundation in mathematics' then we agree but I don't think your formulation is terribly useful.

[bitfury]

Code does not have to have mathematics for someone to have a difficult time writing it. By a good foundation, I meant being able to understand fundamental mathematical concepts such as those taught in discrete math. It's not a numbers class but it makes you use your brain in ways which help and facilitate the writing of code.