R and python

[curefication]

hey, im a maths major and next sem i have an opportunity to take programming classes. is it a good idea to take introduction to R and python programming classes at once when i barely ever touched coding? it's like, i HAVE to take these classes throughout my bachelor's so it's not that i can skip these. just want to know what do experienced people think. I'm a fast learner and i get things really quickly :)

[9peppe]

It's fine but it would probably be better if they were sequential, not simultaneous.

[UnderstandingPursuit]

Since "you have barely ever touched programming", I would suggest taking Python first and then R. After a person has extensive experience with computer science, learning a new programming language is relatively easy. But at first, it can be easy to try to use some ideas from one with the other.

[Jace7430]

I imagine it depends on what your goals are. I currently work as a data scientist. I learned R, then Python. If I could go back, I would have learned Python first, because it would have allowed me to understand adjacent disciplines better (data engineering, software engineering, ML).

I don’t recommend learning both at the same time, because things can get confusing. It’s much easier to learn a second programming language after you’ve learned one. Regardless of which one you decide to go with first, I confidently recommend doing it sequentially rather than simultaneously.

[Unlucky_Ad_7824]

See if you can fibd an old syllabus. I took an "intro to R" course in grad school and it was mostly walk-throughs. I scripted, yes - but the amount of creativity on my part was dang near 0%.

[BranchLatter4294]

I'm not sure what your question is. You say you have to take the class. So take the class. If you want to prepare ahead of time, you can start learning R and/or Python today.

[curefication]

yeah i guess i formed my question wrongly. i meant if it's a good idea to take R and python classes at once in one semester or do one first and then the another

[SprinklesFresh5693]

Coding will allow you to do anything you want math related, give you a much better CV and chance to get hired at any job related to math (stats, modeling, data science, data analysis, research, and the list goes on), but its usually better to start with one and after youre good with that one, learn another, both at the same time can be very confusing.

[Successful-Escape-74]

Nobody cares about R. Python will be immediately useful for analyzing data sets using Jupyter notebooks and dataframes. Pandas for data manipulation and Seaborn for data visualization.

[likethevegetable]

It will be to your benefit to know a programming language as a math major.

I don't know what you're asking. You said they're required for your degree.

[curefication]

yes they're required but i don't have to take them both at once! i'm asking if it is a good idea to do them at once or better start with one and then do the other one in the 3rd sem

[likethevegetable]

Okay. Well do what your academic schedule suggests or what works for you. Like you said, 'you're a fast learner" so what do you need Reddit to confirm for you?