<p>My son has decided to learn (from books and online videos) Python this summer before beginning his freshman year of pre-Aero at Auburn . I believe the basic progamming language they teach for engineers is MATLAB (and I'm guessing that's a language and not just a course name). I'm wondering if learning Python a few months in advance of learning another language will make it more difficult or are they similar? I don't want to stop him from learning something he's interested in but do not want him thinking he knows more than he does if these are very different languages, at least in how you program them. Any thoughts on what my son needs to be aware of going into freshman Comp1200 having spent the summer learning Python?</p>
<p>From what I can tell of just starting Python, it’s fairly straightforward; and as far as programming languages are concerned, I think they all can help you with others. The complex thinking he’ll use in Python will help him transition to MATLAB, and the more he knows the better!</p>
<p>I think python is a great first language to learn! I too taught myself quite a bit of python a couple of summers ago and it has been very useful. I’m working with mostly Matlab in my research now and it has been a pretty easy transition. Matlab tends to “understand humans” better in my opinion and is more designed for computational stuff (graphing, 3D visualization, etc). Nearly everything in Matlab is dealt with as a vector which can take a bit to get used to but becomes very useful in doing computations. Many things carry over between languages like certain coding constructs so it’s really just getting your brain used to programming. The different language syntax can always be picked up as you go.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your input - this eases my mind and I’m actually a little tickled that he just decided to learn this…he hasn’t had a break in summer since elementary school with all the required summer reading and projects due the first day of the next year of class. Graduating in May has left him a bit befuddled on what to do other than reading for pleasure (that’s been out for the last 6 years) and ordering classic movies from Netflix. Actually doing something that has a prescribed outcome or result seems to satisfy him but had me worried that he might be creating problems learning MATLAB in the fall. Glad tohear that it could be helpful.</p>
<p>Matlab’s really more of a math application with its own specialized, limited programming language.</p>
<p>I use Matlab on and off, and while the programming language is a little weird, it’s not that difficult. The challenge is understanding the math you’re trying to model with it. I wouldn’t recommend trying to learn Matlab until you’ve at least had linear algebra.</p>
<p>There’s certainly nothing wrong with learning Python, though.</p>
<p>It’s fascinating to me that you are so involved/interested in your child’s education at this this stage. When I was in high school, my parents were just relieved that I stepped off my skateboard long enough to find an interest in science… Kudos to you. But at the same time the caveat is trying not to steer his curiosity :)</p>
<p>Simulink in MATLAB used for dynamic modeling. That’s some crazy stuff</p>
<p>@jbrussell93 - I am involved/interested in my childs education but I was not with his older brothers…they were not studious or motivated students and I was too busy working my life away - don’t let that happen. S3 is 20 years younger than S1, 10 years younger than S2, and I can’t tell you where all the years went. I am an older parent for S3. I wish I had been this involved/interested with the first 2 but either I was too busy and too young or parents just didn’t get that involved back then. I think it’s a little of both. You are correct though, I don’t want to steer him…he thinks he wants to be an engineer but I would be just as happy if he ended up a high school band director if that’s what he ultimately wants to do for a living.</p>
<p>I think that programming experience is generally useful when learning a new programming language. Learning to program itself is more important than the particular language learned. You have to get into a certain mindset to figure out how to approach a problem, and break it into steps. Most programming languages have a lot of common elements, even if their syntax differs.</p>
<p>Encourage your son to pursue his interests and whatever programming language he wants. I wouldn’t worry about MatLab or potential theory conflicts. Some kids will start with Java, C++ , or Python. If they are motivated to study on their own without a class forcing them to then anything they learn is a bonus IMO.</p>
<p>According to son#1 Matlab is quite basic and is unlikely to confuse anyone who has had some introduction to programming languages, e.g., he was able to pick it up and complete projects in minutes. He is a CS major though so your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information…I hope he doesn’t get burned out too soon. Other than church this morning I don’t think he’s taken a break to do anything else. Hopefully a little obsession is a good thing if it’s well focused.</p>
<p>These are good free e-books for someone to learn python and the basics of programming. You can also buy hard copies.</p>
<p>[Invent</a> Your Own Computer Games with Python](<a href=“http://inventwithpython.com/]Invent”>http://inventwithpython.com/)</p>
<p>Python is a great language to learn first. It should replace Java as the first language of choice sometime soon at the places where it hasn’t already. </p>
<p>MATLAB is pretty trivial, and he won’t be taking a course to learn MATLAB, he will be using MATLAB in a course. It takes an hour, maybe two, to learn MATLAB.</p>
<p>Your S sounds very motivated and that shows a lot of enthusiasm for his chosen profession. You should be encouraged.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the information and I will point him to those programming computer game links.</p>