Ask HN: Why we assume software developers don't know math?

Well it depends, some people think of software developers as self taught people who make websites and phone applications. In that way, this is kind of true.

On the other hand, most of people working in the software industry hold a degree in computer science or software engineering from a university and do much more stuff than just coding webapps, at least in my country.

Do we?

"Programming is one of the most difficult branches of applied mathematics; the poorer mathematicians had better remain pure mathematicians."

- Edsger Dijkstra

Why does it matter? As long as you are producing good results of course.

What I mean is, if someone is mainly focused on webapps where, in my experience, advanced math skills are not always needed what good would it do to the final product?

That isn't to say the entire profession shouldn't care, but what does it matter if we "assume software developers don't know math"? Why not just assume "That software developer must not use advanced math in his daily coding"

That's definitely some kind of local myth. Here in Uruguay (and South America in general), it's the opposite, programmers are viewed as math nerds. I believe the same happens in Europe (especially Eastern Europe), and Asia.

A lot of programmers here have to get an Engineering degree, which includes a LOT of math.

Same for CS degrees. Even Information Systems degrees (like the one I ended up getting) belong to the Engineering school and have quite a lot of math.

It's not an assumption, my experience confirms that (of course there are exceptions). I think it's the result of not paying too much attention to theory/math in undergrad education.

I tend to assume the opposite (and have been brushing up on my math skills as a result).

You gotta say something more than just that.