content: I'll partially agree with you. There is plenty of programming that can be done without math (server/client communications, socket programming, database communication to and from, IO, SMTP/POP interactions and subsequent mail management and manipulation, etc.); however, a general understanding of algebra goes miles to help you understand variables in general, let alone the math you may use them for... That said, doing increments for loops (regardless of the type) doesn't require that the developer know what x++, x+= 1, or ++x means (threw in an additional one for the programmers around here) or the processes that occur when you use them. x = x + 1 works just the same in your loops (though it's much more ugly). As for crypto: It doesn't have to be math-based; however, the current play for crypto is all based on math because the data is stored, transmitted, and received a computer in most cases. Ciphers have been around long before algebra. I agree that math is an important tool for developers to progress past a certain point. I do not agree that it is imperative, that you can "only print text" (this is incorrect), that you can't do file IO (unless you're counting bits, which is fun and all.. but not necessary with the modules/methods released for/with most languages) without math. There are many, many things that you can program without a math understanding; however, there are an equal number of programmatic tasks that require you to understand math in a variety of forms (basic math, algebra, basic date and time math, timers, etc.). I gave you an upvoat for the general agreement.