language recommendation..

[FlyBoy]

im programming in VB.NET at the moment...actually only a begginner,but progressing very well. already have knowledge in ASP.NET , SQL , ADO.NET (data bases...sql access,,,lbabll)
and im looking for my next language.
my question is,should i go for C#??? (lots of ppls are saying that its almost the same as VB.NET). oh and btw...i dont know C++.
or should i go for java??? C++ or anything esle???

10x in advance.

 

[Joe Mamma]

Well I might suggest A complete change of venue... Eclipse.org for Java, struts and beans

 

[FlyBoy]

Well I might suggest A complete change of venue... Eclipse.org for Java, struts and beans

you mean u suggest to go for java rather then c++ or C#?

 

[Nerseus]

If youre just doing this for fun, Id try C#.

Otherwise, I wouldnt suggest changing languages at all. VB.NET is just as capable as C# in terms of features and ease of use (with a few, minor tradeoffs).

Learning a language is only 10% of what you do as a developer. A good chunk more is learning the framework, which youve started: ADO.NET, SQL, etc. Another chunk is learning the ins and outs of a language - that will only come with really using a language for awhile. Lastly, theres the "advanced" stuff that only comes with experience: design choices. That means knowing when to use a form, a class, an interface, as well as recognizing patterns, etc. etc.

If you switch languages it will be fun for awhile, but youll only be postponing the inevitable.

-nerseus

 

[FlyBoy]

If youre just doing this for fun, Id try C#.

Otherwise, I wouldnt suggest changing languages at all. VB.NET is just as capable as C# in terms of features and ease of use (with a few, minor tradeoffs).

Learning a language is only 10% of what you do as a developer. A good chunk more is learning the framework, which youve started: ADO.NET, SQL, etc. Another chunk is learning the ins and outs of a language - that will only come with really using a language for awhile. Lastly, theres the "advanced" stuff that only comes with experience: design choices. That means knowing when to use a form, a class, an interface, as well as recognizing patterns, etc. etc.

If you switch languages it will be fun for awhile, but youll only be postponing the inevitable.

-nerseus

actually i really agree with what u say...but knowing only 1 main lang isnt enough today....is it?

 

[PlausiblyDamp]

Really depends on where you currently work / are seeking work. Knowing more than one language (or development framework) can definately look good on a CV and show that you are capable of being flexible. However having the depth of knowledge / experience that comes from spending time developing with even a single language can be far more valuable.
As Nerseus posted above, the language quickly stops becoming the issue. Knowing how to write robost, usable (and re-usable), stable code in any language; the ability to follow standards, design (or write code that works with existing ones) application / frameworks; Having an understanding of common design patterns and more importantly know when and why they should be used. These skills can be learned independant of any language but they need to be learned and the best way is spend time using a language to the full.

Being able to prove you can develop all the way from initial idea to completed application and hence experience all stages of the design process (including testing and final polishing) will be far more useful than being able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of several languages but no real depth of knowledge in any

 

[Joe Mamma]

Its not So much about Java as It is about learning a different platform. It is not unlike pds advice about becoming versed in ood. All I am saying is that it might be worth jumping over to the eclipse world to get a taste of a different framework.

Pd is correct In that Knowing how to program well is the most important aspect of the field. Im just Saying if you know ASP/ASP.NET, ADO and .NET remoting, and you know them well, It might be worth Investigating the J2ee equivalents - JSP/JAKARTA struts, JDBC/JDO and EJB.

eclipse, by the way, is a FREE IDE initially developed by IBM and is not locked into Java though it seems be the language of choice. Its worth taking a look at

 

[ThePentiumGuy]

Id say learn more languages for the fun of it - after all, you can do the exact same things in each language, stick with the language which you feel that "flows" the best for you. Be a Jack-Of-All-Trades, but a master of one at least .

My suggestion to you is look into Java. C# and VB.NET are similar, they can accomplish basically the same thing, choose one that you feel works best for you.

As for C++ and Java, id recommend you try learning both . Java is a much more "organized" language I should say... C++ is "messier", but its powerful and you can push it to its limits. Im learning some Java this year, it doesnt look that bad - as a matter of fact I think it looks like C# (after all, the rumor goes that Microsoft created C# to "match" with Java)

My advice is to tackle some C++.. or if you dont feel like "stepping up" that high, try Java and then go to C++.

Heres how I learned stuff:
VB -> C# -> C++ -> Java

Im good mainly in VB and C++, but with C++ its mainly a "meh i know how to do this, I can do this later its easy nuff.. ah what the hell Ill just do this in VB! ", so Ive never really practiced it becuase vb is addicting .

Keep in mind that VB.NET and C# are both RAD (Rapid Application Development) and are very user- (or should I say programmer ) friendly langauges. C++ and Java (im not sure about Java) are mainly for speed, control, and power.

Edit: Lol, I said "my suggestion is java" and then i said "my advice is C++"... what I meant was, if you dont feel like "steppin up" to C++, look into Java first

-The Pentium Guy