What programming language should I learn
I was wondering about which programming languages would be most beneficial to learn for a (most likely) future finance guy? I'm currently a freshman in college, and am really interested in learning how to program. I've wanted to learn for a really long time but never got around to it. I also considered starting a business, so I was wondering about the coding languages that may prove useful in that endeavor as well? I tried using the search option, but I found relatively old posts that may contain antiquated advice. Is Python the best for complete beginners? What about Ruby?
VBA for becoming a Excel overlord
I second the VBA suggestion.
VBA is messy/ugly. If you want to learn how to program for its own sake, python is good to start - it's really clean. C++ is also used in a lot of different stuff.
Fortran
Ruby isn't too hard to pick up if you have any coding experience. The Rails framework has a pretty decent learning curve though.
Depends on what you want to do. Either way, pick a language, learn it, and start to learn some actual computer science(data structures, computer architecture, algorithms, etc,).
I'd pick C. It's a solid language that every beginner should learn. From there you can pick any OOP language...C++, Java,C# Python, whatever.
Do you just want to be able to code, or become a really good programmer?
I think it depends on how quant you'd like to get: -C++ is extremely powerful, but can be a pain....overall the best IMO. -VBA might be your best bet as it is not intensive and can easily be learned in a short period. -Fortran still exists at some firms..good quality/math library, but I wouldn't recommend it. -MatLab maybe...all my econ buddies use this.
java, python
scala is the new hotness
vba is terrible... should take you two seconds to pick up if you're familiar with java
VBA for quick excel/ad-hoc analysis R for statistical analysis Python for more involved algorithms/web scraping/etc
Visual Basic is a joke....
Python or C
Do you want to write great code? Or do you want to be able to have a leg up against other applicants?
If its the former I would actually suggest a different route than most. I would suggest reading the great classic novels while you are learning a basic language. Pick up some C, C#, C++ while you are reading Vonnegut. Code is as much about how good of a writer you as the actual programming language. Your code is only as good as other can understand it.
Now if you just want to become an excel master then VBA with some basic C variant language sprinkled in.
Python. Really easy to pick up and gives you a good introduction to programming
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What are some good programming languages to learn? (Originally Posted: 07/13/2012)
As the title states:
What are some good programming languages to learn?
So far, i'm taking visual basic and python programming. Eventually, I will take the C++ certificate offered by Baruch. I'm just a little short on funds right now.
So that's three languages: 1. Visual basic 2. C++ 3. Python
Is that enough? What about R, Matlab, and SQL
While Python is probably the easiest and allows you to do the most the fastest, I wouldn't suggest it as a first language for someone trying to learn programming for its own sake. If you're trying to do something very specific, fine learn and use python. Otherwise, you'll be misleading yourself. Very few undergraduate computer science programs start people out using python. My suggestion would be to go through an introductory Java book, there are tons of free ones online. Java is the best language for several reasons.
OP, feel free to PM me if you have any other questions about programming languages or if you would like any resources.
There's a C++ certificate...what? Looking it up, it seems like a waste of money. What's your current situation like education/work wise?
Spend more time learning more about object-oriented programming and algorithms. Less time on different languages. If you gain a fundamental understanding as programming as a science, the languages are almost all somewhat similar.
This gets posted ad naseum. Do not get any "certification". Learn one language, learn it well, know basic algorithms(dijkstra, BFS, DFS) basic data structure(B-Tree, R-B Tree, Skip List), and you will crush any basic computer programming interview that they ask in trading.
Once you have a basic understanding of CS, every high level computer language is(more or less) identical.
If you want to write the fastest algos in the world, learn ASM. I am not joking.
There are so many threads on this. In general everyone agrees you should start with an OOP like C++ or Java, move into something more flex like Python, and then pick up VBA for Excel purposes. Sounds like you're on the right track.
If you're looking more on the dev side: In general, I hear my developer friends (both in software firms and on the dev side for prop trading firms, etc.) say that everyone should learn one scripting language (Python/Ruby/etc), one mid-level OOP language (C#/C++/Java), one functional language (Scheme/Haskell/Erlang), and the granddaddy of modern languages: C. It's quite a bit to pick up but I have to agree.
I don't consider things like R, MATLAB to be programming languages. SQL is a joke; you don't need to learn it to be able to use it since it's so straightforward.
What is a functional language exactly? What is it used for?
Learn R. You can thank me later.
Quant Scripting Language (Originally Posted: 12/14/2011)
I'm a fourth-year math PhD student, beginning to look at possible jobs post-graduation. One primary one at which I'm looking is as a quantitative analyst. In doing some searching online, they typically like C/C++, a scripting language, and something like MATLAB or Mathematica. I already know MATLAB pretty well, and I am learning C++, but I'm wondering what everyone thinks would be the most beneficial scripting language to try and learn for possible employment in the field? Right now the three about which I'm thinking are JavaScript, Python, and VBA, but if anyone has another suggestion I'd be very open to it.
Python is becoming a very commonly used scripting language at quant funds and prop trading shops. We mostly use python at my fund.
I know some banks like goldman have their proprietary language, like slang.
Brady, do you guys use PyPy?
You should probably know C++, java and MatLab. Python has basically the same syntax as MatLab. Jane Street uses OCaml.
Wow, much faster replies than I expected. Thanks for the help.
I'm a desk quant and we use R, python, ruby, and a tiny bit of c++
Is there any use for C# skills? I have ten years of C# and would like to make the move into finance
R, Matlab, Python, C++.
Java more and more, too.
Add C#. Knowing database stuff is pretty important also: SQL and Microsoft Access.
Thanks for all of the help, everybody. I thought since there are some quants who replied in this, you might be able to quickly look at another topic I just posted regarding general educational requirements. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Most sought after programming language for Quant Analyst Positions? (Originally Posted: 01/29/2014)
I saw this topic briefly mentioned (but more in relation to S&T positions).
background: I know a bit of VBA, and I have beginner knowledge of Matlab
If someone was going to be a quant analyst what programming languages should they learn? I heard Python is all the rage these days. A lot of people want SQL and C++ knowledge. Don't most departments stick to 1 programming language?
Also, are there recommendations on how to learn Python relatively quickly?
I have seen a lot of positions lately for various quant analyst roles (fairly junior positions) and met some quant people through networking that I think I would be a good fit for quant positions (aside from the programming aspect). I want to go in to an interview with just enough that the hiring manager will not see this as being a weakness (or he will think it won't take me long to learn it).
In anything financial, I have yet to see things other than Java, C++, and maybe Python (I've seen less of Python, to be honest). SQL and C++ are also used differently: the first is for databases, the second for general purpose.
Python is probably easiest to learn, then Java and C++.
http://learnpythonthehardway.org/book/ is your best bet as far as I know.
Advice Wanted. Computer Programming Languages For Accountants/Finance analysts. (Originally Posted: 06/09/2015)
I 'm a young gun in this game who is currently Learning VBA( been programming for 5 months) and also plan on learning SQL. Senior in college going to be an Accountant. Are there any more languages I should know? How much more money will I make compared to a regular accountant? What industry can I make the most money?
I'd definitely make sure you know some Fortran, Basic, C#, Object Pascal... should get you going.
I'm assuming this is a bad attempt at a troll. If not, do you understand what a financial analyst or accountant actually does?
I'm going to extract the data from a database using sql and convert it into financial statements in excel using VBA. Of Course, what i was interested in are the software languages(like python and visual basic) and wondered if that has any place in an accountants skill set. Or any other tech skills for the matter.
yeah... that's not what you do in accounting...
The only way that will be useful is if you go into "risk assurance" with PwC or "IRM" with KPMG--or whatever the other big4 equivalents of IT/risk management are. Those positions support the audit--that it, they will "test" management's systems to provide comfort around ITGCs or specific reports used in the audit.
Knowing a bit of VBA is useful--once in a while you can write a quick function to make your life a bit easier, but it's nothing remotely close to the scope of what you are talking about.
No other programming languages are remotely relevant to what you will have to do.
Does Programming Language add value to the resume for Job Searching (Originally Posted: 10/15/2010)
Having SQL in my resume will it help me have a better chance getting interviews, Can somebody give me suggestion if it is really worth learning or even having a certificate in SQL or IT financial database. Will my resume be more marketable and will I have higher chance getting interviews such as in middle office in risk management, portfolio analytics or jobs such as business analyst or business consultant.
In this tough job market maybe a technology route maybe easier to get in. Some of the job description require MS in Computer Science and tons of computer programming language and others just require knowledge in programing and SQl queries. Any suggestion cause I am having a real hard time getting a regular finance or accounting role as an analyst, as it is very competitive even to get any job. So I thought maybe this route will be easier to get in such as business analyst, business consulting or project management in Technology finance or Software firm. Something like this
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA3/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=EZECASTLESOFTW…
My resume as follows:
www.visualcv.com/atishdas
no but english will
I'm in risk management and a lot of the support level guys know SQL and it is a pretty important piece of what they do. Could not hurt at all to include it IMO.
hey message to R5A7B.. How to get in risk management or portfolio analytics. Could you take a look at my resume and give me some suggestion. Right now having really hard time getting an analyst role in either finance or accounting as the job market is very bleak. Somebody said cause I have a technology background, maybe working there will be easier to get it in..Do you recommend to take additional courses other than SQL..Any help would greatly appreciate. My feeling is most people are average finance major who either have MBA or CFA and very few people like to do technical unless you come from computer science background. CFA requires lot of study, but I was thinking if I have some certificate can somehow get in to risk management. Any suggestion regarding job searching
http://www.visualcv.com/atishdas
Do the BB's want these programming languages? (Originally Posted: 06/19/2012)
Hey guys (bankers specifically),
I was talking to a professor at a college, and he said that the banks really like somebody who knows another programming language like Python. Is this true? I always thought that Excel was the way to go. (I am interested in investment banking, not S&T or something else)
Programming is not required, nor useful at all really in investment banking. Maybe VBA if you want to get fancy, but again, not required at all.
He was referring more to back-office roles. If you told a banker you knew python, he'd pull down his pants and offer to introduce you to his as well. At least, that's what I'd do.
I'm sure different recruiters will perceive it differently, but some do acknowledge the qualities one is likely to have if they're good at programming. It's problem solving, it's about negotiating different solutions and paths for one problem, sometimes it can even be about conceptualising unknown situations and modelling it in a quantifiable manner. So in that sense it can show good critical thinking and all that jazz.
As for knowing how to code, it isn't relevant to IBD at all.
Programming can help for trading jobs, but it doesn't really matter. Any kind of quantitative field like comp sci or math, recruiters like that b/c it probably shows you're a problem solver or logical thinker or something. Programming can be a bitch though, especially if you're not into it.
VBA would be the only programming language that could be relevant in a banking type role.
Programming languages are only relevant if you know data structures, algorithms, architecture, and theory as well as a professional developer.
Otherwise, just learn VBA.
What's the best way of learning VBA on your own?
I've written a couple posts here since I recently did it myself:
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/learning-vba-for-banking http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/vba-training-0
http://www.google.com/search?btnG=1&pws=0&q=vba+hello+world
And actually the first thing I did was figure out how to make a message box pop up that said "Hello World"
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