New programming language

[Dragonfly_X]

Hi Lads!

I've done some programming before (VB6, Javascript, DHTML, SQL and a little bit of perl) but I haven't programmed for over a year. I want to learn a new language(s) that I can use when get back into programming.

I had a look at Python, ASP.NET, C#.NET, VB.NET, PHP, MYSQL etc. The problem is that there are so many, what to choose? Primarily I want to do something that is in high demand and that would be lucrative for my career($$$).

Basically I need some advice from programmers here that will help me make the right choice \\:D/

[tom-ubuntu]

I myself really like C#. And with the Mono Framework it is also multiplatform, which makes it really interesting. This way, you also got a chance to invest in ASP.net as it makes heavy use of C#.

Check out the following links:
www.go-mono.com
www.mono-develop.com
http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/

I do not post any microsoft links here :D But on their site you will also find a lot of usefull information and samples, tutorials, aso.

[luca_linux]

It depends on what you really want to do. For example: if you want very crossplatform code, you'll have to go with JAVA. Yeah, I know there's Mono for .NET (and so for C#) but it's still uncomplete, so all functions are available only under Windows. For crossplatform Python is really good too, but the end-user will have to install further software, while the Java Virtual Machine is a "must" that he probably already has.
If you want high speed and want to do a lower livel programming (such as driver, kernel patches, etc.), you'll need C/C++.
For the web, I suggest PHP over ASP.NET because PHP is really common and you'll easily find a host that supports PHP.

[agger]

It depends on what you really want to do. For example: if you want very crossplatform code, you'll have to go with JAVA. Yeah, I know there's Mono for .NET (and so for C#) but it's still uncomplete, so all functions are available only under Windows. For crossplatform Python is really good too, but the end-user will have to install further software, while the Java Virtual Machine is a "must" that he probably already has.
If you want high speed and want to do a lower livel programming (such as driver, kernel patches, etc.), you'll need C/C++.
For the web, I suggest PHP over ASP.NET because PHP is really common and you'll easily find a host that supports PHP.
I'd suggest Java.

Its syntax is based on C++, but it has a much nicer and cleaner structure, and it has a huuuge standardized library that lets you start building GUI or networked apps very quickly.

Most of my own programming experience has been C/C++, but Java is nicer. Plus, if you learn Java you should be able to lear C++ rather quickly because of the similar syntax.

Plus, if you ever have to switch from Java to C/C++, you'll probably be used to a better and more readable coding style as Java enforces this more.

[Dragonfly_X]

I did some C in collage but didn't like it. I'm considering going the web route doing PHP, ASP and C#

[luca_linux]

I did some C in collage but didn't like it. I'm considering going the web route doing PHP, ASP and C#
Notice that the syntax of C++, Java and C# is really similar...but in Java (and also in C# when you don't write "unsafe" code, and probably you won't) you won't have to use pointers and references, so it's really easier than C/C++.
C is not so similar to Java and C# because it's a real low-level language and is not object oriented.
Anyway keep in mind that after having learned one of these three languages, learning the other two is really simple because they are so similar. This is true especially if you start with C++, but also in the other cases.

[j-rock]

C is not so similar to Java and C# because it's a real low-level language and is not object oriented.
.


Also keep in mind that Object Oriented does not imply ease of use.

[N'Jal]

Learning C++ atm mysely, however what classes are there avalible in linux the only C++ book i have only covers MFC (Microsoft foundation classes).

Also those wanting to learn java, one of my old tutor's from college is a sun certified java programmer who run's an excelent java teaching website EXamulator (http://www.examulator.com/moodle/) the site itself is a work in prgress but is apparently very good. Just click the welcome to java link.

[gord]

if you want a language that is powerful and easy to learn with a 'rapid application development' you should really check out python (http://www.python.org).

as previously stated though, for someone to run anything you make in python they need a copy of the python interperator on their system (allthough for windows you can include one in your program, note: programs like bit-torrent do this). i would hazzard a guess that a lot of linux people would allready have python installed. especially with ubuntu ;)

i would also half-recommend c++. allthough i wouldn't recomend it unless you are serious about getting into programming for a living or want to create very fast code. its not that there is much wrong with c++, its just that their are better languages to choose from that might not be as quick, but get the job done in a much nicer way.

iv also heard good things about ruby (http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/), allthough i havn't checked it out myself, people are getting very excited about ruby on rails (http://www.rubyonrails.org/). Its a web application development system for the language which is apprently rather good.

python also has some nice web application systems (note: zope (http://www.zope.org/) and plone (http://www.plone.org)) allthough you won't find as many web servers that will run Zone, Plone or Ruby on Rails as you will php.

[KingBahamut]

Theres too many to even think of --

Ada
APL
ASP
Assembly
Awk
Basic
C
C#
C++
Clipper
Cold Fusion
Common Lisp
Delphi
Dylan
Eiffel
Emacs-Lisp
Erlang
Euler
Euphoria
Ruby
Qu
PHP
Any variety of HTML
Perl
WhiteDune
Python
Rexx
Simula
SmallTalk
Tcl/Tk
UnixShell Code
VB
Fortran
Cobol
Forth
Prolog
Logo
Java
Pascal
Jsp
JavaScript

Im sure I left some out