Are you saying that python isn't a "proper" programming language and that it can't "be of use"?
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Help..What programming language should I choose?
- Thread starter TeRRoRByteZ2007
- Start date
Are you saying that python isn't a "proper" programming language and that it can't "be of use"?
angelblaze
Well-Known Member
"I've never done stuff like Python.. these are the programming languages that can actually be of use.", sounds like "We know the earth is flat! and no we can't take a boat and go make sure because we would fall off the end of the earth!" 
Of course you can be a great programmer without learning new and different languages, its just that most great programmer like learning new and different languages.
some reading:
http://www.paulgraham.com/pypar.html
http://www.paulgraham.com/hundred.html
http://www.paulgraham.com/power.html
http://www.python.org/about/
http://www.python.org/about/quotes/
Of course you can be a great programmer without learning new and different languages, its just that most great programmer like learning new and different languages.
some reading:
http://www.paulgraham.com/pypar.html
http://www.paulgraham.com/hundred.html
http://www.paulgraham.com/power.html
http://www.python.org/about/
http://www.python.org/about/quotes/
Er, why would you say that?
Perhaps you mean that python doesn't have the abundance of jobs that C# and java have?
angelblaze
Well-Known Member
"Just that there's no way it can either compare to Java/C/++/# or make you the money that these do."
Where "compare" is comparing the marketing budgets of Microsoft and Sun.
If you are programming only for money (and not say because you enjoy it) then Java/C/++/#/Cobol is definitely the way to go.
Where "compare" is comparing the marketing budgets of Microsoft and Sun.
If you are programming only for money (and not say because you enjoy it) then Java/C/++/#/Cobol is definitely the way to go.
"IBM estimates that more than 30 billion transactions occur within Cobol programs every day. By contrast, Google averages about 150 million searches each day, or about .5% of Cobol's daily workload."
angelblaze
Well-Known Member
Just to be clear I am not bashing Java,C,etc. Both are very fine ways of programming. I like the absolute control of C for algorithms, the great libraries of Java, the succinctness of python; Having experience in as many languages as possible is good for exposing you to new ideas and insights and by using the right tool for the job which results in better software and less developer frustration.
You are pretty clear. Ask anyone in the programming or development industry (I know of several) or someone who has studied it (I have) and they will tell you that C/++/# and Java are the leading programming languages out there. About the abovementioned COBOL, I know nothing about its current status. Only that Python, yeah well that should stay at school IMHO.
I too was in the industry until recently and I will agree C/++/# and Java are the leading programming languages out there (although IMO C# is by far the sexiest) as I have previously stated.
I was an AS/400 RPG developer which in extremely similar to COBAL and widely used in South Africa. TCM (the people who supply/support/etc the IBM iSeries) say that there are over 2000 iSeries/AS/400's in Johannesburg. Although most are used in financial institutions/services. FNB for example runs on COBAL.
Why? IMO it's because:
1. The code works - it's been wip for 20 years
2. The hardware (iSeries for example) can handle the required (huge) transactional load.
3. Porting to say .NET is just expensive and people with skills in legacy languages and the new stuff I assume are hard to find. Cheaper to maintain.
Having said that, personally I wouldn't recommend going into this field. The money is good (at the moment), but if you are in your 20's (as I am) I was worried about turning 50 and being an expert in something that doesn't exist anymore.
I did some searches on UK job websites for AS/400 RPG developers and > 80% were for "AS/400 RPG developer required to port existing system into .NET".
I too was in the industry until recently and I will agree C/++/# and Java are the leading programming languages out there (although IMO C# is by far the sexiest) as I have previously stated.
I was an AS/400 RPG developer which in extremely similar to COBAL and widely used in South Africa. TCM (the people who supply/support/etc the IBM iSeries) say that there are over 2000 iSeries/AS/400's in Johannesburg. Although most are used in financial institutions/services. FNB for example runs on COBAL.
Why? IMO it's because:
1. The code works - it's been wip for 20 years
2. The hardware (iSeries for example) can handle the required (huge) transactional load.
3. Porting to say .NET is just expensive and people with skills in legacy languages and the new stuff I assume are hard to find. Cheaper to maintain.
Having said that, personally I wouldn't recommend going into this field. The money is good (at the moment), but if you are in your 20's (as I am) I was worried about turning 50 and being an expert in something that doesn't exist anymore.
I did some searches on UK job websites for AS/400 RPG developers and > 80% were for "AS/400 RPG developer required to port existing system into .NET".
(IMO C# is the sexiest too.....)
+1 with you on that one.
Got a friend that had to port kalahari.net.... they made a crap load of money on that contract.
The Axe Dude
Senior Member
I'm a Java person to be honest...love it...
...But after reading this thread, I'm seriously thinking of trying out some C/C++/C# 
...But after reading this thread, I'm seriously thinking of trying out some C/C++/C# 
I've done C++/C#/VB.Net/Delphi.NET/Delphi/Java (in terms of OO languages)
Personally I prefer Java but C# is good also. Thing that's great about Java, runs everywhere and they have specs like J2EE that as far as I know .NET Framework still lacks.
Personally I prefer Java but C# is good also. Thing that's great about Java, runs everywhere and they have specs like J2EE that as far as I know .NET Framework still lacks.
I've used Delphi, Java, and C#
I slightly prefer the C# language to Java (they had the benefit of hind site) but much prefer the Java environment to .NET (which I still cannot see the point of).
I really enjoyed working in Delphi and hope it regains its popularity.
I slightly prefer the C# language to Java (they had the benefit of hind site) but much prefer the Java environment to .NET (which I still cannot see the point of).
I really enjoyed working in Delphi and hope it regains its popularity.
I agree, C# is very easy to break into (actually it's just really easy all round) and useful for small to medium sized applications but when it comes to huge server side applications Java is king of the hill.
Only thing I don't like about .NET (C# and VB.NET) is that people can easily fall into the making it work trap (which happens often in RAD, which is what C# and VB.NET was designed for) instead of developing proper modular, maintainable code. But on hind sight that could happen on Java also, although the Java environment is more adamant on proper design methods (Even the IDE's bitch when Java docs are missing or you do something that's a bit dodge).
There is demand for Java and C#. C++ has become a niche skill. It still has valid applications, for instnace where speed is paramount, but it is not mainstream. And while the C++ and C# languages look similar the big thing is knowing the .NET libraries.
If you're interested in which language to learn to train yourself to programme well, then C++ is your only choice.
If you're interested in which language to learn to train yourself to programme well, then C++ is your only choice.
No it isn't. You can build the most hideous things without a problem.