Do you need to be good at math to become a developer?

The short answer is: No. But if you're not convinced, then read on.

Simplifying the concept of what mathematics is is quite hard, given that absolutely everything around us is governed by the laws of physics, which are themselves governed by mathematics.

Instead, I'll simplify what "doing math" means for most people:

• Juggling with lots of numbers (and Greek letters)
• Learning, understanding and applying mathematical rules and theorems
• Using logic to link these rules together to solve problems

In the early days of computing, programming was very "low-level", meaning directly linked to electronic components.

Machines allowed complex problems to be solved by breaking them down into dozens (or even hundreds) of simpler mathematical operations, in order to create an "algorithm".

As a result, you needed a very solid grasp of mathematics in order to program and use these machines.

But that's no longer the case today, at least not necessarily!

The machines have changed, so have the uses, as well as the skills required.

There are so many different fields, systems and languages that you could become a developer without ever having to touch mathematics as I've described it above. At least not beyond basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, that's still manageable, right?

One of the most beautiful concepts in computer science is called "abstraction", which means: creating simplified systems on top of more complex operations. The light switch in your living room is an abstraction of your home's electrical network, no need to know how it works, just press the button!

It is precisely this wonderful concept that allows us not to have to touch mathematical theories, but instead to use the simplified systems that others have provided us with. So mathematics is present EVERYWHERE in the world of computing, but abstraction prevents us from seeing it.

Nevertheless, I would be tempted to describe programming as a "cousin" of mathematics, because we are led to:

• Juggle with functions and operators (and, or, plus, minus, if, then,...)
• Learn and master certain design methods (object-oriented, functional programming,...)
• Use logic to link all these tools together to solve problems, which we call algorithms.

For those who, on the contrary, would like to make use of their mathematical potential, I suggest looking into data analysis, cryptography, embedded computing, or the development of physics and graphics engines, for example.

Otherwise, for everyone else, you have everything else left, wonderful, isn't it?

There are even fields where algorithms are almost absent and where your artistic side (programming is an art anyway) dominates, such as in interface development and web integration.

I'll leave you with the example of developer and designer Sarah L. Fossheim who developed, as a hobby, the ability to recreate photorealistic objects using only code (css).

More examples of her work here: https://codepen.io/fossheim