How crucial is linear algebra and calculus for programming?

Just get through the basics of calculus. You won’t become a calculus expert, but you'll pick up what you need as you go along. Focus on what you're interested in - the relevant math will click when you encounter it!

Linear algebra and calculus are super important if you're heading into areas like machine learning, game programming, or graphics. But don’t worry! For most other programming fields, you might not need them at all.

I've used linear algebra in various areas like robotics, AI, and graphics, but truth be told, I've rarely needed calculus itself. Most of the time, it’s about applying pre-solved equations rather than doing the calculus on the fly. If I had to list math importance in programming, I'd say linear algebra comes first, then stats, followed by numerical methods. It might help to think of it as a toolset rather than a strict requirement.

Honestly, I haven't really needed to do much calculus in code. Understanding basic concepts about rates of change can be useful, but you won't be writing those equations yourself.

While linear algebra is key for stuff like 3D simulations and AI, you likely won't need it for most programming courses. It definitely comes in handy for specific applications, just not all programming work.