Hacker News Reader

To be a good programmer is hard. It requires knowledge of a lot of areas - math, logic, algorithms, particular languages, operating system, networks, databases, particular technologies.

Just think of what it really takes to create even a simple dynamic website.

View on HN

I think to be a good/great programmer is hard. But to be a good-enough programmer to make a well-above-average living isn't that tough.

Exactly. Even below average programmers can find a job and feed their families.

I can honestly say that I hardly ever really use math in the programming I do. The rest I agree with.

EDIT: To clarify, I hardly ever use math at the level I was required to study in my comp. sci. degree curriculum. Of course I use basic arithmetic calculations often enough.

Yes and no.

Do we not use many of the concepts?

* boolean algebra / simplification of terms?

* vectors, matrices, tensors (er, strings, arrays, objects)

* functions? functions of functions?

* set theory?

* graph theory?

* "closure" of operations (e.g. - what are the limits / bounds of this operation / function? Can I encode every character / code-point in this output representation? -- no? prepare to get hacked, then)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com