<p>First off, my computer skills are pretty much limited to surfing the web, using microsoft office and a few other programs but I'm planning to familiarise myself with a few computer programs and computer languages before I start uni in the fall. So I just wanted to know - are there any specific programs or languages that would be useful for me at Cornell? If any engineering students read this post, could you suggest a few programs (autocad, etc.) or languages (C++, java, etc.) that would help a student planning to major in mechanical engineering or engr. physics? Also can someone tell me what is taught in the CS 100 course.....thanks</p>
<p>CS100 is taught in the language of your choice - Matlab, or Java. Matlab would probably be more useful to you later on in the branches of engineering you're doing, but either is fine.</p>
<p>Realize that there are many other people in the same boat as you. Also, most of what I've been doing freshman year hasn't involved or required computers - and if something did, there was an opportunity to attend office hours / meet with someone to explain it.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. Does anyone else have any input?</p>
<p>for a non-engineer taking CS100 ... it was a nightmare because Matlab was so hard and the mean on each prelim was always around 90. If your gonna be an engineer, check out matlab cause it may also be used in differential equation class.</p>
<p>If you're looking at Mech E or AEP I'd def. suggest matlab. You'll probably take it first semester and you'll use it again and again and again. Nothing wrong with a little java too. There isn't much C or C++ unless you're a CS major.</p>
<p>question... im an engineering major but not so much Computer Engineering. i had 0 CS course in high school because the stupid program thing in my HS... i learned a little bit java during the past summer but...</p>
<p>i want to take a CS course next year as a freshman, would CS100 be extremely hard? i wasn't very good at java back then : ( any comments and suggestions for appropriate courses?</p>
<p>CS 100 isn't that bad. It does not assume any prior programming experience. I came in with 0 programming and did 100 and really enjoyed it. You can either choose Matlab or Java. People who want to be CS, ECE, ORIE -- basically anyone who needs to take CS 211, it is recommended to take Java, otherwise you take Matlab. Note: neither one nor the other is required for any major just a 100 level class. I took 100M, I'm an ECE and I took CS 211 (which is all Java) and I was fine. Basically, don't sweat comp sci. It can be frustrating at times, but there is a pretty extensive support system for that class and they don't assume you've ever programmed before.</p>
<p>thanx! that's a relief.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm in the same boat as you. My dad's a database administrator so he's been trying to convince me to learn a language before I go to college. And I was scared because I know a lot of people interested in computer science have already been programming from a young age (12 year olds).</p>
<p>well if u can quickly pick up programming skills, then it won't be too bad ... but I know from my own experiences (as well as others in the class) that they move fast and at times do assume that you understand certain aspects of Matlab. (and it really really blows having to stay up til 3 AM some days trying to figure out what is wrong with codes).</p>
<p>Just my experience:</p>
<p>I'd never programmed coming into CS 100 Java, and I'm currently struggling, a lot. Buy a book and learn over the summer, that's what I should've done. Also, do your research on ratemyprofessors.com before you enroll in a class...</p>