What language to learn?

K

Keeper

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I'm not new to programming really, I have the technique down - I'm just not very informed about all the languages out there.

You see, I'm pretty okay in Multimedia Builder, but I want to start learning comething like C++ or C# or something...

BUT I Need an IDE interface - I need something to help me, perhaps even have "controls" and objects almost like Visual Basic. Something that can compile for me/etc...


Should I start in Visual studio? is that what you guys use?
What language will be best for me?


PS: I don't want to learn python, Ruby, php or Java.
 
If you "have the technique down" then you would know that you don't need to "learn" a new language

I have never done c#, but if was filling in a skills matrix for a job, I would put the upper value down, and wouldn't consider myself to be lying


And I don't understand why anyone would specifically say the dont want to learn java. Java, and the associated communities and projects are super interesting, powerful and current

But to answer your question, it depends what you are interested in. Windows applications? Websites? webservices? Integration? Data processing?
 
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_kabal_ said:
If you "have the technique down" then you would know that you don't need to "learn" a new language

I have never done c#, but if was filling in a skills matrix for a job, I would put the upper value down, and wouldn't consider myself to be lying
Click to expand...


I don't think you understand what I mean here.

I know one language - MMB, which is Scripting software based on Delphi.
I want to learn a new language.. but i'm not sure which one to go for.

TL;DR: I understand the concepts of programming, I just need something better than MMB.
 
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Khanya said:
VS & C#.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking, based on my limited research before asking here..

So, in VS, would I get to use tools, like, add buttons and stuff, or am I gonna see a CMD window and nothing else? :confused:

I know very little of VS, as you can see.
 
Keeper said:
This is what I was thinking, based on my limited research before asking here..

So, in VS, would I get to use tools, like, add buttons and stuff, or am I gonna see a CMD window and nothing else? :confused:

I know very little of VS, as you can see.
Click to expand...

Your choice. Very rich graphical interfaces right down to simple console apps. Your choice.
 
Ahh, then definitely Microsoft.

Now it is clear why you didn't want the others :)
 
Mike Smit said:
Your choice. Very rich graphical interfaces right down to simple console apps. Your choice.
Click to expand...

Wow, that sounds awesome then.

How long would it take me to kinda, I dunno... adapt to the new syntax?
(Let's just say MMB shares as much syntax to C# as French is to Zulu)

I mean, is it going to be more difficult since I've got "bad habbits" or I'm used to a very different coding language, or will I pick it up faster than learning C# with no coding knowledge?
I find it hard to kick old habbits/ways of doing things :(

I don't know if I'm the only one but I find it hard to move to different software/languages
(Not talking basic apps here, i'm talking going into depth with one, and then moving to another... for example moving from Corel DRAW to Adobe illustrator, or 3ds Max to Maya)

Am I too late to start? I'm 29..
 
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Going from one app to another is not the same as going from one language to another.
Whatever language you understand will assist with leaning a new one and accelerate the learning curve.

C# is a good mix of C++ and Java. Learning it will make it very easy to also get into the other two.

Just dive in. ;)

EDIT: No, 29 is not too late.
 
Thanks for the help Mike and Kabal - i'll try to get VS and see how it goes!

Still worried I won't be able to kick old habbits though, been coding in MMB for over 15 years I think :p
Wish me luck!
 
I assume Multimedia Builder is also an event based RAD tool (ie, put button on page, double click and implement the onclick event), being based on delphi?

If so, then I think you will feel familiar. I think things like package structure and namespaces will take more getting used to, and VS is in itself a bit "overwhelming" (like any new IDE), but before you know it, MMB will be a thing of your past, most likely for the better :P good luck, and dont give up
 
You can download Visual Studio Express Edition for free from Microsoft (can't seem to get at the link right now unfortunately) with the c# and/or VB option.

Visual Studio should be fairly easy to get to grips with, especially if you already familair with a graphical RAD tool. C# seems to be one of the most popular languages commerically at the moment and Visual Studio is pretty highly regarded as an IDE. VB seems to have fallen from favour somewhat commercially but might be easier for you to learn.)

If your aim is to be able to make Windows applications quickly and easily, Visual Studio is a pretty good way to go. If you are looking to improve your programming skills, I'd just like to point out that whichever language you choose there is a distinction between driving the IDE, coding a language and knowing how to program (ie how to generically solve problems with programming.) It's worth being aware of what your training material is actually teaching you in this respect.

I'm a strictly amateur/enthusiast programmer so a professional might well disagree with what I've said here but I hope you find my comments constructive.
 
I would start with C++, then java and maybe once you have that down move to C#.

C# is great but it does hold your hand most of the time, so you will not learn much.
 
Keeper said:
Wow, that sounds awesome then.

How long would it take me to kinda, I dunno... adapt to the new syntax?
(Let's just say MMB shares as much syntax to C# as French is to Zulu)

I mean, is it going to be more difficult since I've got "bad habbits" or I'm used to a very different coding language, or will I pick it up faster than learning C# with no coding knowledge?
I find it hard to kick old habbits/ways of doing things :(

I don't know if I'm the only one but I find it hard to move to different software/languages
(Not talking basic apps here, i'm talking going into depth with one, and then moving to another... for example moving from Corel DRAW to Adobe illustrator, or 3ds Max to Maya)

Am I too late to start? I'm 29..
Click to expand...

From the point of view of developing good habits, C# and Java are probably your best bets as they were designed as object orientated from the ground up and are fairly strict in terms of things like declaring variables and typing. C++ compilers are also all C compilers so it used to be that a lot of guys with C++ on their CV weren't really that hot on the OO capabilities of C++. Most of the languages of the Python/Ruby/Groovy/PHP ilk have a lot of merit for learning to program but do let you take some liberties with things like typing and variable declarations.

Using an IDE like Visual Studio, Delphi or Netbeans is good for productivity but if you want to be a better programmer, it is good to understand on some level what is going on under the hood (eg. how to code a GUI by hand) even if you let the IDE do the heavy lifting in most real-world situations.

Most programming languages today implement broadly similar basic language features and it is fairly quick to learn the syntax of a new language once you have one under your belt (some being easier than others.) It is probably a good idea to be monogamous to your first language for a while though before you start playing the field.
 
InvisibleJim said:
Using an IDE like Visual Studio, Delphi or Netbeans is good for productivity but if you want to be a better programmer, it is good to understand on some level what is going on under the hood (eg. how to code a GUI by hand) even if you let the IDE do the heavy lifting in most real-world situations.
Click to expand...

Ofcourse I can code by hand, been coding for over 15 years mate :p

InvisibleJim said:
It is probably a good idea to be monogamous to your first language for a while though before you start playing the field.
Click to expand...

Again, it's been 15 years. that's pretty monogamous if you ask me, lasting longer than some marriages!
 
OK, maybe I was stating the obvious. Monogamy to a particular programming language is one of my obstacles to being a better programmer.
 
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