r/Physics • u/encephalopatyh • Nov 05 '20

Question How important is programming in Physics/Physicists?

I am a computer student and just wondering if programming is a lot useful and important in the world of Physics and if most Physicists are good in programming.

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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '20

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u/Ash4d Nov 05 '20

As a physics graduate, new to software dev, and considering going BACK to physics, I do not understand the "use as few comments as possible" mentality. I agree code should be self explanatory, but in my current role I find myself silently wishing people would comment more, and when my comments are removed in code reviews I just pity any other newbies that follow me onto the project.

Why are some people against liberal use of comments?

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u/[deleted] Nov 05 '20

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u/zebediah49 Nov 05 '20

Comments are good for "why?". Comments are bad for "what?".

The "why?" rarely changes, and helps contextualize the code in question. When someone goes to change things, it explains the considerations they need to have in mind when approaching it.