What is used in the 'Professional' word?

[sjn78]

What is the most common language for real word apps. I am stuck at the choose your language cross road.

I have a good understanding of vb(all versions), studying C/C++ for Uni, played around a bit in Delphi, and for Uni, there is a OOP C subject and Java.

What do you guys think is the best language to take up. I have been looking at jobs and stuff to see what languages are required and that sort of thing. Most use C and delphi while occasionaly I see VB and others.

I think that VB will only get better now as it has taken the leap to actual OOP, but will it ever be considered a language that can do anything you want?

I also realise that if you have skills in all languages, you are more likely to succeed in the programming industry.


So, what do you all think

Steve

 

[Volte]

This may sound crazy, but I no longer think of VB as a real "programming language" in .NET; .NET itself is the real "man behind the curtain". Sure, VB has its own syntax and keywords, but at this point, VB and C# are both equally powerful, and they are just two different ways to get to exactly the same end result. Also, for high-end stuff (and some low-end stuff, within reason), VB and C# rival C++. Maybe not in raw power, but the combination of flexibility, power, and easy/quick development (in comparison with C++) makes it a strong contender.

Also, "I think that VB will only get better now as it has taken the leap to actual OOP, but will it ever be considered a language that can do anything you want?": even with VB6 you can do anything you want (within reason of course, but if you can do it in Visual C++, you can almost certainly do it in VB6); it may not be a picnic, but its possible.

If you have a good grasp of C++, by all means, use it. Thats what most products are and probably will be made in for some time. Really its up to you or your employer. C++ is still the "standard" though.

 

[wyrd]

Im not up and up on the business application world, but I do know that commercial games are purely programmed in C and C++. For another language to even enter the world of commercial game programming is a "mission impossible." This doesnt have anything to do with the fact that other languages are capable of programming games (Quake II .NET has proven that .NET is capable of such), it has to do with game programmers being the most stubborn programmers and the world and they refuse to change. John Carmack (arguably the most popular game programmer in the world) still programs his games in C.