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Id just like to mention that you are basically begging the question by using the term compsci in the first place. CompSci is more or less defined as being the mathematics of computing so by that it would seem you have your answer.

But I dont think you meant to ask that question, mostly as it isnt that interesting a question. The question i suspect you really are asking is whether we consider math and programming to be the same thing. And i think the answer is quite clearly not at all.

Most programming tasks that I see require almost no advanced mathematical skills, instead they require a wide range of other skills and knowledge that are specific to the world of programming. For instance having an intimate knowledge of SQL syntax for various DB's is not a skill that almost any CS or Math course is going to impart on you. Having experience in coding means that you will implicitly make design decisions about your code that are superior to what a less experienced but better educated Math type would do. You can almost guarantee that the code quality from a 17 year old whos been programming open source C for two years will be superior to a PHD Math graduate whos primary programming experience is Fortran and Maple.

An analagy with automobiles that has been made elsewhere feels apropriate to this thread: in the automobile business you have three groups of people involved in the process of making cars (leaving out the management/marketers :-), Engineers, Assembly Workers and Mechanics. The Engineers are responsible for a lot of things. Designing the parts, the assmebly line, selecting materials, studying the system, and etc. IOW they do all that highbrow stuff. The Assembly workers generally require minimal skills, the engineers should have already solved most of the issues involved in the manufacturing process. That leaves the mechanics. Now these folks are responsible for fixing your car when it breaks. They need sufficient skills to read the tech-specs on the parts they work on. They need to know how to use the appropriate diagnostics equipement and the like. But they definately dont need to be engineers. They almost certainly will never have to select the exact alloy that will be used in an engine block.

To bring this back to programming, the point is that most programmers are mechanics. We reuse libraries that others have written, we know about the resources available to us, we know that despite the advertisments using product A with product B is a bad call. We know how to read the abstracts of the papers that the CS folks write, Etc etc.

Now the mathematicians will say that they are the most important part of the pie. But the fact is that it isnt true. There just arent that many places to get a job being an algorithm researcher. There arent that many places in R&D in computing in general. But there is an awful lot of call for mechanics that can change the spark plugs and put on a new muffler. IMO a lot of math types get upset by the fact that many non-math types can outcode them with their eyes closed. The reason of course is the same reason that a kitchen assistant can often chop vegtables faster than the chef. (Recent experiece.) Writing code and doing mathematical analysis and proofs are two different things that only rarely occur in the same job or project at the same time.

---
demerphq


In reply to Re: Mathematics eq CompSci by demerphq
in thread Mathematics eq CompSci by kiat

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