1. Limited time only! Sign up for a free 30min personal tutor trial with Chegg Tutors
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Join Physics Forums Today!
The friendliest, high quality science and math community on the planet! Everyone who loves science is here!

Programming for research physics

  1. Sep 8, 2012 #1

    Sjm757

    User Avatar

    I'm applying for some REU's later on this year and I'm wondering whether knowing a programming language is necessary, and if so what book(s) I should get to learn. Also if anyone else has done an REU, is there any other skills or outside school actives I could do to increase my chances of being selected?
     
    Sjm757, Sep 8, 2012
  2. jcsd
    Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories on Phys.org
  3. Sep 10, 2012 #2

    SophusLies

    User Avatar

    Programming skills will be huge with a doubt. You don't even need a book to start, there are countless websites that have information for every language out there. Pick a language and start. The skills you acquire from one language will transfer to another. Any of these will work: C++, Python, C, or Java. I would recommend studying numerical analysis along with a language because I would guess if you do end up getting a REU you'd be doing something along these lines.. Or maintaining the broken down equipment.
     
    SophusLies, Sep 10, 2012
  4. Sep 11, 2012 #3

    Sjm757

    User Avatar

    Any recommendations for an numerical analysis book?
     
    Sjm757, Sep 11, 2012
  5. Sep 11, 2012 #4

    chiro

    User Avatar
    Science Advisor

    Look at Numerical Recipes in C/C++/Java/Whatever
     
    chiro, Sep 11, 2012
  6. Sep 11, 2012 #5

    Astronuc

    User Avatar
    Staff Emeritus
    Science Advisor

    Some still program in FORTRAN, now F95 or F2003, or C++.

    There is still a lot of legacy code in F77 and F90.

    Python scripts and Java are often used for supporting programs to FORTRAN or C++ executables.
     
    Astronuc, Sep 11, 2012
Share this great discussion with others via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook