Thread: programming in linux or windows?

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    14

    programming in linux or windows?

    My background is in networking, but I want to start programming.

    is there much difference in programming between linux and windows? If you know how to program C, you know C regardless of the platform correct? I'm new to programming and use both linux and windows. Just wondering if there is a difference between the two if you plan to become a programmer. Does linux have advantages over windows for programmers vice versa?
    Thanks

  2. #2
    ---
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    1,379
    Standard C is platform independant.
    As far as which one is better, I guess it's just personal preference.

  3. #3
    eat my shorts!
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Posts
    294
    it depends:
    if you are going to be more network based programmer, then it is better to program in linux (and start using c# instead), else by all means use windows platform.
    and c# is multi-platform (just like c/c++)
    Games Reviews Previews Desktop Themes Downloads Paintball Forums Shareware Freeware and much more

    The best in Technology and Gaming News

    www.back2games.com

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    14
    Thanks fellas. Yes, I will want to do some networking programming. Is C# similar to C and C++? Which is better to learn first?
    Thanks

  5. #5
    ....
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Groningen (NL)
    Posts
    2,380
    If I am correct then C# requires the .NET environment, for C and C++ such an environment is not necessary. Personally I don't think there is a "better", but since object orientation is very populair these days and not all platforms have a .NET environment, I'd say it would be a good idea starting with C++. When you've learned C++, it is a small step learning C and C#.

    Regards,
    Shiro

  6. #6
    former member Brain Cell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    472
    and as far as i know , not all functions are portable. For example , according to my reference , the function 'getch()' only works under DOS , Win 32 and OS/2.

    I don't know wich is better but i'd choose linux if i were you
    My Tutorials :
    - Bad programming practices in : C
    - C\C++ Tips
    (constrcutive criticism is very welcome)


    - Brain Cell

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    4,912
    getch() isn't standard. And .NET is not a good idea for Linux right now. Yeah, there are implementations, but they're not stable enough for standard use yet (at least IMO). Standard C is a standard. Compilers will compile your code to work on any machine they're designed to do it for. To write programs with special functionality like graphics, or with a GUI for a specific app, you'd need the API for that. For example, windows.h (and this'll all make more sense to you once you start learning C/C++) gives you the ability to write Windows programs.

    C# is a very high level language, which makes it good for RAD (Rapid Application Development) if you're devloping something that really doesn't use any special functionality. If your background is in networking (although this would depend on what sort of networking you did), you may find C more interesting. But since C++ is (with exceptions) an object oriented version of C, my personal recommendation is to go ahead and learn C++. At this point, the platform you choose doesn't matter much.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    California
    Posts
    3,268
    I agree with Sean. Dont bother with C# if you plan on programming on the linux platform. I suggest that you start learning C or C++, and go from there.

    If you are really concerned with platform independence, then I would suggest learning java over C#. Java has stable JVMs out for just about every platform out there. Even a lot of embedded systems have JVMs now.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    14
    so the general consensus is to learn C++ if your interested in programming (network programming too). It is mainly platform independent . I assume once you start writing programs for say linux, you will have to alter the code in order to get it to run in windows?
    Thanks fellas

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    14
    Eh, one more question. If you're just starting out in programming..............would it be ok to focus on programming in networking? Or does that come after you have famailiarized yourself with a language?

  11. #11
    Code Goddess Prelude's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Posts
    9,897
    >Or does that come after you have famailiarized yourself with a language?
    Yes.
    My best code is written with the delete key.

  12. #12
    Utter insanity
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    19
    Quote Originally Posted by rtunez33
    Eh, one more question. If you're just starting out in programming..............would it be ok to focus on programming in networking? Or does that come after you have famailiarized yourself with a language?
    Yeah, you would focus on that later, after you know what the heck your doing, and how to print "Hello World" on the screen, ect....
    "I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues." - Duke Ellington

Popular pages Recent additions subscribe to a feed

Similar Threads

  1. windows .dll vs. linux .so - global static objects
    By pheres in forum C++ Programming
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 11-23-2010, 01:29 PM
  2. Thinking of upgrading to linux...
    By Yarin in forum General Discussions
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 07-24-2009, 11:40 AM
  3. Build linux on windows
    By baash05 in forum Linux Programming
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-19-2008, 10:12 PM
  4. Why can't Windows run Linux binary executables?
    By Kleid-0 in forum Tech Board
    Replies: 30
    Last Post: 12-04-2005, 11:44 PM
  5. Linux and Windows Duel Boot
    By The15th in forum A Brief History of Cprogramming.com
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-26-2002, 04:59 AM