Essential programming for physics/mathematics

[Visceral]

Hello,

I was wondering what programming languages are essential to a physicist/mathematician. In the courses I am in, I have encountered programming homework assignments that I did not anticipate(differential equations and classical mechanics). Needless to say, I have had very little experience with programming, so these assignments have been more of me struggling with the programming/syntax than me understanding math/physics. What programming languages should I know? It seems like Fortran, C++ and Matlab are some of the most popular ones I see.

 

[zhermes]

If you want to get by, you should learn the basics of something like MatLab or maybe IDL.
If you want to be pro, you should learn C++, and once you're familiar and experienced with that you'll be able to pick up whatever bits of pieces of other languages you need, when you need them.