Required Computer Skills for Mechanical Engineering

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the necessary computer skills for students pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, particularly in relation to programming languages and CAD software. Participants explore various options for both programming and CAD tools that may enhance competitiveness in the aerospace industry and other engineering fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests learning C++ and/or MATLAB for programming, while another emphasizes MATLAB as more important based on personal experience.
  • Several participants mention various CAD programs, including SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Pro-E, and Catia, with differing opinions on their relevance and utility in industry.
  • A participant currently self-learning AutoCAD questions its usefulness and seeks advice on whether to prioritize C++ or MATLAB.
  • Another participant shares their experience with AutoCAD during an internship but expresses a preference for Pro-E, noting that AutoCAD may not be widely used in their context.
  • One participant recommends learning Visual Basic for Excel, citing its practical applications in engineering tasks and suggesting it may be more beneficial than C++ for certain roles.
  • A participant mentions the importance of learning multiple CAD programs, including SolidWorks, AutoDesk Inventor, and ProEngineer, based on their internship experiences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on which programming language is superior, as opinions vary between C++ and MATLAB. Similarly, while several CAD programs are mentioned, participants express differing views on their relevance and utility, indicating a lack of agreement on the best options to pursue.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of experience with the mentioned programming languages and CAD software, and some acknowledge that their recommendations may depend on specific academic or industry contexts. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and preferences without definitive conclusions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for freshmen or students considering a major in Mechanical Engineering, as well as those interested in pursuing careers in aerospace or related fields, looking for guidance on essential computer skills.

reazon1n1
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Hey guys,
I am a freshmen planning to Major in Mechanical Engineering. After I graduate, I want to purse a career in the Aerospace industry coz Aviation is my interest.

I was wondering what kind of computer programming skills and CAD designing skills should I acquire inorder to make myself more competitive.

About computer programming, which one should I consider learning:
>C++ or
>MATLAB or
>JAVA

About Computer Aided Design (CAD) program, which one should I consider learning:
>Autodesk AutoCAD or
>AutoDesk AutoCAD Mechanical or
>Catia V5/V6 or
>SolidWorks

Please give me some idea on which computer programming language and CAD skills to develop.
 
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Definitely C++ and/or Matlab.

CAD: Solidworks and/or Pro-E.

You will learn these during your course of study though. You will likely take a class that teaching you C++ and Matlab. I haven't used C++ since I took that course over 4 years ago but I used Matlab all the time. And you will definitely take a course that teach you some CAD program. It doesn't matter too much which CAD program you learn because learning one will give you the knowledge to quickly learn another one.
 
@RandomGuy88: these days, I'm self-learning AutoCAD. Do you think it will help me too?

about C++ & MATLAB, which is more better option? if you had to chose between 1, which one would you suggest?
 
I used AutoCAD at an internship one summer but that was it. I didn't like it very much though. I am not a big CAD user for the most part and I am a grad student so I don't know exactly what is the most popular in industry (at my school it is ProE) but I don't think AutoCAD is that widely used. That being said, it certainly won't hurt to learn and it will probably make you more proficient in whatever class you take that teaches you a different CAD program so I wouldn't stop learning it.

As far as C++ vs. Matlab I would definitely say Matlab is more important (to me at least). I use it all the time and I am an experimentalist. Its been awhile since I used C++ but I believe the syntax of Matlab and C++ is pretty similar so if you learn one you will probably be able to learn the other one fairly easily. I think C++ is more common for communicating with external devices that you might be using in experiments. The last time I used it was for that exact purpose and I have never used Matlab for a similar purpose. That doesn't mean it isn't used for it but I have never done it. I use Matlab for doing a large number of calculations and for solving equations numerically. Normally when I use a computer to communicate with external devices I used LabView which is completely different from C++ or Matlab and you shouldn't even worry about LabView yet.
 
RandomGuy88: which grad school do you go to?and what's ur major/research area? would u mind sharing?
 
I am an aerospace engineering grad student at the University of Illinois. My research is experimental aerodynamics.

My undergrad degree is mechanical engineering.
 
You may want to learn Visual Basic as well. That is the macro language for Microsoft Office. Excel macros can make your life much easier and could be useful immediately in your course work.

I have spend the last week working with a mechanical engineer developing a set of Excel macros to create text files read by our tool to do tests. Then another macro which reads in the large results text file (one test maxed out Excell's number of rows), computes basic statistics and charts the results.

From what I have seen VB is more useful to working Mechanical engineers then C++, that is what the software guy does. Though knowing C++ cannot hurt you, Excel is a universilly used app. The more you can do with it the easier your life will be.
 
Last edited:
Guys, can you also rec0mmend necessary c0mputer skills for civil engineEring?

I'm also learning Autocad by myself.
 
I would learn...

Solidworks, AutoDesk Inventor (AutoCAD can be useful too), and ProEngineer

All three are very useful, Also learn at least some computer programming.

I have used all three of these in mechanical related internships.
 

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