Hello, I am interested in learning computer science and programming and I'd like to know what are the educational prerequisites to learning it. Do I have to learn formal/symbolic logic and Boolean logic? I'm kind of confused as to where I should start, as I want to be as thorough as I can be. Thanks!
If you are somewhat experienced with computers already, it helps a little. You will definitely need some exposure to finite math, or discreet math (depending on the school) before getting into programming. The two key items that are usually taught in these courses are symbolic logic and number bases. If you don't understand those topics, you will probably wash out of any CS curriculum before the 3rd year. I have seen too many people try to jump into programming without understanding how or why the code works. I remember the end of the semester of my first C lang course, there were still people who were unable to write a working for loop. Also, if you learn how to read API documentation, you will pretty much be able to work with any language that is properly documented (Like Java and PHP).
Actually, you probably only need an understanding of algebra, as I've found programming fairly easy, and the highest math course I've taken has been Statistics, I have yet to take Pre-Calculus or any of the rubbish.
Some logic, some algebra, but the more you know about maths, logic, statistics etc the better you will understand algorithms. You would also need to know operating system essentials and probably some about networking
^^ This is good advice. Anyone can learn to program, knowing more about how everything else works is beneficial and it's also very interesting to actually know how it all fits together.
Threr is no pre requisite , take a progamming book for C and start learning it , but you need to put few hours of effort for 3-4 months to get some hold on a progamming language.
I think for programming you need only logic, and basic understanding of Computer Data structures like,Heap,Stack,Que. Practice more programs.This will you help you in doing good programming. If you want to learn computer science, may be you need to know basic computer architecture, PC architecture.How each components work, How each is related to Operating System, Some basic hardware stuff like Memory manager how it Connected to Operating Sysatems Virtual Memory. How a basic Computer Instruction fetch and decode happens. How the address translation happens. Little bit networking concepts Above all If you have real interest, it is very easy!! all the best.
I'm looking back at how I learned programming again, and I would say limited math skills might be the only prerequisite. All the other stuff people are telling you to learn, you might not ever need depending on what you are doing.
Thanks for the answers, everyone! I may consider taking an online certificate course and get the company that I work for to pay for it......gotta love tuition reimbursement.