What is Reddit's opinion of Mathematics for Computer Science?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Hey, Comp Sci here, if you've already done GCSE and A-Level Comp Sci and your already learning Java, I'd say you're already pretty much sorted! A lot of people on the course will never have done an A-level in it or any programming before. The course is designed to teach you everything you need from the ground up. So I'd say you're already ahead of most. I was in a similar position to you when I went into first year and tbh I found it relatively easy. It's just a lot of work, with a lot of deadlines you need to meet. My advice is to just enjoy the rest of your holiday tbh :)

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However, if you really want to do something more I'd suggest learning how to use git. Practise committing, pushing and branching using command line. We use Gitlab, although Github and the likes are basically all the same. You'll be using it for pretty much every programming project. Git kraken is graphical application which can be helpful to learn conceptually what is happening if you need help.

If you've never used Linux before I'd suggest having a play around with that and learn the most common commands, things like: ls, cd, mv, rm, mkdir. I believe we use cent-os in comp sci, but tbh any distro is fine. When you join you get given a linux and windows virtual machine to use. In the meantime you can create a virtual machine or just run it off a USB.

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Learning Java is great, if your not already try learning the basics of OOP (which will help in the second semester). However, in first year you will start off with C programming on linux. Using a text editor and the GCC compiler. Some people struggled with pointers, but otherwise logically its similar(ish) to basic java. If you really want to push yourself you could start learning a bit of Haskell, you'll use this book. Which is honestly really good and probs one of the only reading materials I would actually recommend buying if you like Haskell that is. Otherwise I believe you get given the chapters needed for free when you start.

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The modula most people find the hardest is "Mathematics for Computer Scientists". Mainly because you had to learn a lot of (discrete) maths which was quite different to any type of maths you will of done before in A-level. I think it would be quite difficult to self teach. But if you want to try the reading material when I took the course was this and this. >!If you look online you can find free copies ;) !<

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Hopefully that gives you some areas you could explore, but tbh you sound like you already have everything sorted! If you do have any more questions feel free to message me or comment :)