2013-10-11, 03:02 PM
Declaimed Wrote:At this point in time, I'm leaning toward a major in Mathematics, minor in Computer Science. I want to program, but I want a strong ability to write complex algorithms/understand them. I'm under the impression that algorithms are pure math, less syntax. (Thats what my professor seems to make it out to be)
Writing complex code is usually A Bad Thing(™
. Maintainable code is way, way better than complicated/complex code with all sorts of shortcuts. If you only want to program, 99.999% of it will be fairly straightforward code. You'd only need to write computationally complicated code when you get down to the barebones - like writing graphics engine stuff in Unity or Unreal engines. If that's what you want to work on though, more power to you and learn about all the complicated stuff so I don't need to do it. 
Quote:If this sounds silly, maybe it is. That just my current line of thought at the moment, based upon what I know, or what I think I know. I'm in a C++ class right now, took VB.NET parts 1 and 2 freshman year of college. Haven't finished all four programming courses offered here (C++ part 1 is the first, C++ part 2 is the second), so I'm not completely clear on how everything works yet.
Learn to write simple code that other people can follow along without needing you there. This way if something breaks while you're gone, someone can fix it. You have to keep the Bus Factor in mind.
Simple code is better than fast code.
Simple code is better than unmaintainable code.
There is simply nothing better than simple code.
I'd highly recommend reading Code Complete.
And if you're interested in learning about complicated algorithms that you might be interested in, I'd highly recommend checking out the "What the f'uck?" code: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_invers...f_the_code