On Fri, Feb 16, 2007 at 11:50:42AM -0700, Daniel C. wrote: > On 2/16/07, Hans Fugal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >If you're interested in a good university education in Computer > >_Science_ > > I've always been confused about the motivation for learning pure > _Science_, especially when dealing with something like computers. > What's the point of learning theory if you don't know how to apply it? > So you can get a job teaching theory to other people, who will go on > to get jobs teaching theory...? >
First, it is important to remember that Computer Science still teaches you how to code. A lot of it is how to code up solutions to problems present in your theory classes. The BYU program certainly gives you opportunity to apply the theory in projects and classes. With that said, I've personally found that as I learn more theory I become a better programmer. After learning Scheme I suddenly found a new way to look at problems. A lot of times that approach results in better, cleaner, and more efficient code. A class in digital signal processing gave me valuable experience applying programming skills and techniques that I wouldn't have found elsewhere. Theory is what drives good program design. There are good reasons for the way we do things, and by understanding them we can see how to best expand and extend the ideas. While a lot of people may not put the connection together, those who do, in my opinion, are going to be better problem solves and programmers. That's my 2 cents. -- Scott Paul Robertson http://spr.mahonri5.net GnuPG FingerPrint: 09ab 64b5 edc0 903e 93ce edb9 3bcc f8fb dc5d 7601
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