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Two Common Programming Languages: Python and Matlab

Python is a popular starter programming language. Oftentimes, it is the first language that computer science students will learn. Python runs on Windows, Linux/Unix, Mac OS X, and has been ported to the Java and .NET virtual machines. In addition, it is free to use because its open source license is OSI-approved which makes it much more accessible. During my senior year of high school, I took an Introduction to Computer Science course where we learned the basics of Python. While the language was difficult to learn because it was different from anything I had seen before, it was formatted in a way that was tangible for a beginning programmer. I believe that Python is one of the best languages for beginning programmers.

Matlab is a programming language used for technical computing that integrates computation, visualization, along with programming. Matlab is unique because its basic data method is the matrix, and is most commonly used in the math and science fields. This semester, I am currently enrolled in a linguistics class called Human Language and Technology. While you may not think that programming would be helpful in linguistics, we use the Matlab program on a regular basis. This class focuses on reading frequencies and learning about dynamical systems. Consequently, we use the concept of loops in our problem sets. I believe that Matlab is a pretty simple program to use in this context. My linguistics class is not a computer programming course; however, the Matlab program is formatted so that those with little coding experience are able to understand. Overall, I believe that everyone can benefit from some computer programming knowledge. The few skills I had have definitely helped me understand concepts better.

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