Orodruin said:A lot of the work most physicists do is related to programming in order to perform simulations of systems that cannot be solved analytically. However, I do not think you need to know programming before starting university (I didn't). Of course, already knowing it gives you an edge, just as you might have other edges if you have pre-studied university level mathematics, etc.
If you know one programming language reasonably well, that's better than having only a minimal understanding of several languages.Quantum_Arcanium said:I've heard that you need to know many programming languages to become a Physicist
And a lot of that work, at least what I've seen here at this site, is in Fortran, and very poorly written at that. Having one or two computer science classes under your belt would make it more likely that the code you write would be easier for someone else to read, more portable to different operating systems, and more reusable.Orodruin said:A lot of the work most physicists do is related to programming in order to perform simulations of systems that cannot be solved analytically.
I can only speak for the HEP community, but Fortran used to be very popular. It has fallen somewhat out of fashion to give way to C/C++. There is a cutoff somewhere between the ages 40 and 45. Older people use Fortran, younger C or C++. Even younger may try to avoid compiled languages altogether in favour of Matlab and Mathematica.Mark44 said:And a lot of that work, at least what I've seen here at this site, is in Fortran, and very poorly written at that.
Or Python, using its numpy and scipy libraries.Orodruin said:Even younger may try to avoid compiled languages altogether in favour of Matlab and Mathematica.
Yes, it is possible to become a theoretical physicist without knowing how to code. While coding can be a useful tool in theoretical physics, it is not a requirement for understanding and conducting research in this field.
Not knowing how to code may limit your career opportunities to some extent, as coding is becoming increasingly important in many fields of science. However, there are still many opportunities available for theoretical physicists who do not know how to code, such as theoretical research positions or teaching positions at universities.
No, there is no one specific programming language that is required for theoretical physics. However, some commonly used languages in this field include Python, MATLAB, and Fortran. It may be helpful to learn one or more of these languages to aid in your research, but it is not a necessity.
No, it is never too late to learn how to code. Many theoretical physicists learn coding skills later in their careers, and it can still be a valuable asset even if you already have a strong foundation in theoretical physics.
If you are interested in improving your coding skills as a theoretical physicist, there are many resources available such as online tutorials, coding workshops, and courses offered by universities. It may also be helpful to collaborate with colleagues or attend conferences to learn from others in the field.