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Which Math For Programmers?
An anonymous reader writes "It is no news that the greatest computer scientists and programmers are/were mathematicians. As a kid 'hacking' if-else programs, I was not aware of the importance of math in programming, but few years later, when I read Engines of Logic by Martin Davis I started becoming increasingly more convinced of this. Unfortunately, math doesn't return my love, and prefers me to struggle with it. Now, as the end of the semester approaches, I am faced with a dilemma: What math subject to choose next? I have two choices: 'Discreet structures with graph theory' (discrete math; proofs, sets, algorithms and graphs) on one side, and 'Selected math chapters' (math analysis; vectors, euclidean space, differentials) on the other. I'm scared of the second one because it's said to be harder. But contrary to my own opinion, one assistant told me that it would be more useful for a programmer compared to the first subject. Then again, he's not a programmer. That's why I turn to you for help, fellow slashdotters — any advice?"
You're not qualified to answer the question. Information technology is not computer science. They are called different things for a good reason.
There is little or no similarity between computer science and IT because they are completely different fields. In IT, you use programs and systems that real computer scientists created, and write scripts and Visual Basic things to glue them together, in order to get something that does what you want. IT is about integrating systems. Computer science is about math, scientific analysis, designing optimal algorithms, and so on. Therefore your lack of need for math in your IT work has no connection to the question being asked.
Hey, don't kid yourself. "Real computer scientists"? You mean electrical and computer engineers. We do all the heavy lifting that allows you boys to play with your toys.