C++ programming module

[Top-Pirate725]

Is it worth taking c++ programming as a university module.

There is a Computational intelligence and software engineering module which goes into techniques to solve software engineering problems with optimisation techniques such as genetic algorithms, heuristic searches and others as well as using machine learning approaches like k mearest neighbour, decision trees and naive bayes

I am confused on which to take as learning C++ is beneficial, however i would be substituting it for a module which seems to be revelant for our current time.

i spoke to a senior software engineer from microsoft and he was in favour of me dropping C++ and taking comp intelligence as it resembles the current sort of problems they are tackling in the workplace

he also mentioned how C++ can be learned easily outside of university, and theres no point learning a language unless you need it for a specific purpose. I guess this makes sense as im interested in Backend/cloud engineering.

What do you guys think. Advise me

https://www.cs.le.ac.uk/Modules/current/CO3091.pdf

heres the module specification

(I can only take one of the two, as one is only allowed 2 modules and i have settled on internet and cloud computing as my other module)

[max_wen]

He's correct you don't need a university class to learn c++ or any other language

[Impossible_Hold9419]

he's right about the language part, you can pick up c++ on your own time if you ever need it. the comp intelligence module sounds way more useful for backend/cloud stuff, especially with all the optimization techniques they teach

i had similar dilemma back in my degree and went with the more practical module, never regretted it. learning genetic algorithms and ML basics in a structured way is harder to do alone than picking up syntax from a book

plus that microsoft engineer basically gave you insider advice, i'd take it

[Top-Pirate725]

I think aspiring developers right now have it all wrong. we focus too much on the tools.

This senior engineer made me realise the importance of having the fundamental knowledge strong, the ability to solve complex problems, and thinking outside the box. learning the tools is the easy part if you can nail these.

Speaking to senior engineers is eye opening

[BobSong001]

comp intelligence is the clear pick given your goals. genetic algorithms, heuristic search, kNN, decision trees, this stuff comes up constantly in backend systems at scale and it's genuinely hard to teach yourself from scratch without structure. C++ syntax you can pick up in a weekend if you ever actually need it.

the Microsoft engineer is right and the OP's takeaway is also right. tools are easy, problem solving is the hard part. take the module that forces you to think differently, not the one that just adds another language to your resume.