Which programming language for an engineer?

Question

I have read many things about that question on websites, but everyone says different things. I'm a mechanical engineering student and they teach us C++. But at the same time, some teachers like Python, some like Matlab. Each one says that their chosen language is better than others. So, I'm confused. What's your opinion? Already I will not design any web pages, or create any game. I need a thing that is suitable for engineering stuff. Thanks for answers.

Answer 1

The best choice is to master all the tools.
If you need to make "A or B or C..." decision - Python is better.

Why I would choose Python as a primary language:
1) It is a scripting language. You can use it as an overwhelming scientific calculator.
2) Python has many usefull libraries for the field. And the language is simple to use.
3) Acquisition of a universal skill, which you'll use in the future (100% guarantee).
4) Ability to share your code with everyone you need. With NO issues.
5) Guarantee that your tool will continue to develop.
6) Larger community. As a result - better support.
7) There is very (VERY) high possibility, that you'll be able to automate your tasks in other special software using Python. For example, search "python ansys workbench". And there are many other examples...
8) Independance from proprietary technology and its owner decisions.

One more thing is: "...wait a minute...oh my...": https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab-engine-for-python.html
)))) You can still use MatLab engine while coding in Python...

Second - MatLab. It is widely used in engineering. It is faster than pure Python (if that matters). Means of MatLab are close to the needs of engineers.

Why not C++ - the language is more scriptic, it is not close to the engineering needs. You will have to spend a lot of time to make your code. Yes, it will work fast. But you have to count all the time spent for getting working code.
C/C++ lets you learn algorythms and gain fundamental knowledge. If you want to know "How all the stuff works?" - dive into C/C++.

P.S. I have master degree in mechanical engineering. I taught theoretical mechanics to students in the university.
My wife is a stress mechanics engineer at one of the top aircraft companies. She makes stress mechanics calculations for turbojet engines.

Answer 2

For an engineer, I would surely prefer python as it is quite simple to use. Infact nowadays most of the colleges are prefering python over the C. Good thing about python is, you dont have to worry about the syntax.

Answer 3

As far as I know, most mechanical engineers use MATLAB. Java also helps due to its vast areas of applications​.

Answer 4

I don't know much but I would say Java , because of the reason it is platform independent , it can be used not only on computers but devices like fridge , oven , coffee maker ,etc...
The scope for Java and its features is very broad and it can be very useful for making robots, devices,etc.
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It's the most popular languages for a reason .

Answer 5

c++, Java, Python

Answer 6

Not one language can be used to complete all the tasks you would like to as an engineer. each language has its strong points and weak points.
that being said. Learn one language first. When you become good at it, learning other languages will be easy.

Answer 7

I heard matlab is so good for engineers

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Of course you might also want to know a little about assembly language, and your risc, cisc processor instruction sets, etc.

But if you're programming for devices, you might need atleast a crash course of alot of different nit picky things like MIPS, or SPIM, or SPICE,I think it is.

Answer 10

depends c++ is for robots, mechatronics, control, deep systems

matlab for things of math

python is for research and scripting

my opinion and experience

I am mechatronics engineer and actually im studing software enginering

Answer 11

Depends on requirement. But if u r familiar with any one programming language, u may grasp other languages very easily as only syntax changes. For instance if u r familiar with C++, u can learn MATLAB, Java quickly. I would recommend C++. Unknowingly, I learnt C++ first, and it was very easy for me to learn Java and MATLAB.

Answer 12

python because i am doing Ece . and i like working with Raspberry pie over Arduino , so python anyday because python and raspberry pie do wonders together .

Answer 13

sorry for my english
some programm separate of GUI and back-end (business logical). GUI in engineering programm, imho, it's function graph or 3D vision process. Back end - calculation or meassuring. for GUI - any graphic framework, for calculation - only native language (for speed + equipment requirements), imho.
best regards

Answer 14

Depends on the job title or the field you are planning to move into.
Web developer - Html , c# , php, drupal, javascript, css.
software developer - c/c++, java , phyton, embedded programming.
Languages can be interchangable in some cases depending on fields. These are the basic differences from my point of view.

Answer 15

use the languages which are only used for website development i.e. Html,css,jvascript,php. I am also computer engineear in collage i am learn c,c++ and java. but for website development learn html,css,javascript and php.

Answer 16

If this comes under knowledge-gaining, then learn as many languages as possible! Don't overload, just know the ones that you're comfortable with!

Some of the names of coding languages I've heard of are (not in order) :

COBOL, Lua, C/C++, C#, Clojure, CSS, CoffeeScript, GitHub Flavored Markdown, Go, Git, HTML, JavaScript, Java, JSON, Julia, Less, Make, Mustache, Objective-C, PHP, Perl, Property List (Apple), Python, Ruby on Rails, Ruby, Sass, Shell script, SQL, TOML, XML, YAML, F#, php, jquery, ...

Answer 17

python or java are good but python is better

Answer 18

I think Python is easiest language for engineers, that's why it's preferred more than other languages in machine learning and Data science. but still languages like C++ are the best.

Answer 19

That language which you love....

Answer 20

Well I guess this depends on what kind of engineering you're taking