Discrete mathematics

[akstylish]

Hi. I'm an undergraduate who decided to change major from computer science to something else. I'm still interested in learning to program as a hobby. My question is can you learn a programming language effectively without background knowledge(discrete math). I had hard time keeping up in that class and ended up dropping the course.

[dglienna]

Well, most people can learn anything. But, if you like it, you tend to pick it up a lot quicker. With the Internet, you can get all kinds of free programs, and tutorials, and forums.

What you do know can only help you with programming tasks, as an added benefit.

[akstylish]

So is discrete math necessary or not if I'm to become an expert programmer? Also, how much can I expect myself to learn via online courses and tutorials? Will I ever be able to know about programming as much as those with bachelor of cs degree or better?

[dglienna]

Math can NEVER hurt you, and usually helps you understand advanced algorithyms. Self-study courses are fine. You get what you put into them

[artella]

A site that might be of interest :

Project Euler (http://projecteuler.net/)

[tossy]

I hope it's difficult to understand the new techniques used in algorithyms, I feel its better to have some background knowledge(discrete math).