Thread: What language to learn

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    What language to learn

    I've been teaching myself C for a month now, I wanted to be able to code for a mud I play, I now have a good understanding of the language but have decided if I'm going to put all this effort into something it should land me a job as well. So I've decided to step it up and move on to a more practical language but can't decide what would work best for me. I'm thinking c++ but am absolutely unsure what the companies are looking for in a comp geek.

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    Java, PHP, C# and SQL are pretty popular.

  3. #3
    Skunkmeister Stoned_Coder's Avatar
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    If you wanna get a job coding and you already have a grasp on C then try C++. Alternatively visual basic is very popular with employers due to the rapid nature of development in it as is delphi.
    Free the weed!! Class B to class C is not good enough!!
    And the FAQ is here :- http://faq.cprogramming.com/cgi-bin/smartfaq.cgi

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    Supermassive black hole cboard_member's Avatar
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    While on the topic: does anyone know how popular Ruby has become with employers?
    Good class architecture is not like a Swiss Army Knife; it should be more like a well balanced throwing knife.

    - Mike McShaffry

  5. #5
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Not very. It's still very early in development and it's having trouble catching on around the web because no hosts are installing the framework for it. Besides, it's not that much better than the alternatives (PHP, ASP).
    EntropySink. You know you have to click it.

  6. #6
    Supermassive black hole cboard_member's Avatar
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    I see. I thought it was pretty good but then I havn't learnt about PHP or ASP
    Good class architecture is not like a Swiss Army Knife; it should be more like a well balanced throwing knife.

    - Mike McShaffry

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    Crazy Fool Perspective's Avatar
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    ruby on rails is starting to gain a lot of traction. My web programming prof thinks its the next big thing but i hope he's wrong. I find python to be a better scripting language.

  8. #8
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    Consider this discussion (although a very brief look into Ruby): http://forums.entropysink.com/showthread.php?t=641
    EntropySink. You know you have to click it.

  9. #9
    Magically delicious LuckY's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arjilliik
    I've decided to step it up and move on to a more practical language
    It's amusing that you consider C to be an impractical language. If you were speaking regarding QuickBASIC or Pascal I'd understand, but C is the entire opposite of impractical.

    In any case, I love and am in love with C++. Give it and Java some consideration. C++ has all the qualities you could ever look for in a soul mate.

  10. #10
    &TH of undefined behavior Fordy's Avatar
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    My opinions may differ from others, but I'd try to get a good range of languages - low level like C++, mid level like visual basic, and a scripting language like maybe javascript.

    I find myself using all levels quite regularly. As long as you enjoy learning and using them, then go ahead.

  11. #11
    and the hat of int overfl Salem's Avatar
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    Since one language will never be enough for all your programming needs, you may as well learn several different ones which are aimed at very different problem domains.
    If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
    If at first you don't succeed, try writing your phone number on the exam paper.

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    Administrator webmaster's Avatar
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    After debating about the relative merits of Ruby, can we talk about why vi is better than Emacs?

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    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    Only after we discuss the impending return of COBOL.
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  14. #14
    Magically delicious LuckY's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by webmaster
    After debating about the relative merits of Ruby, can we talk about why vi is better than Emacs?
    I wonder if I'd be out of line to request that first we have a side-by-side discussion of the advantages and drawbacks of the Bourne shell versus the Korn shell.

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    I've set the goal of learning a language probably C++ within 3 months, by the end of that time I want to be programming at a semi profesional level. I'm not certain how realistic that is, but I certainly can't forsee myself taking on the task of learning two or even three languages simultaneously. :P


    Are there actually low level programming positions in the employment world? I've been looking through the classifieds in my state and all these companies want 8+ years experience and serious credentails.

    entry level position is cool, but I dont want to be the preverbial mail clerk delivery guy :P
    Last edited by ajrillik; 08-05-2005 at 03:32 PM.

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