More Help With Picking A Programming Language

So I would like to create windows applications but I do not want to be limited to it. So I was going to learn C++ but a friend of mine that runs coderprofile told me that C++ is old, messy, and unproductive. He also told me that C# is the new industry standard. So I have been looking at C# as the way to go. I was just wondering if C# is going to be around for awhile and if it is worth learning.

Otherwise I am thinking about going back and learning two languages that I have some EXP with. VB6 and Python. I may go to VB dot net but only time can tell right now. I can use VB for my windows apps and then use Python for everything else.

Picking a language to learn in depth has been a difficult decision so far. I am looking for something I can use for at least 2 years or more and maybe even something that will help me in the future. I do not want to spend the time and a bit of cash on something that I am not going to use.

I personally love C++, it is very easy. To me i think you can go pretty far with c++, but thats only my opinion. C can be messy but that's all up to the programmer. you have to organize it yourself. C++ is great language to learn.

I liked C++ a little. Thought I did not get far enough to be very productive yet. I am trying a few languages out before I decide on one to stick with for a few years. My big problem with C++ was not the language its self but I could not get Visual Cpp 08 to compile anything I wrote. Even if it worked in Dev-C++ it did not work in MSVC

Ahh, one thing you must remember witch i learned the hard way is to do not use precompiled header. if you turn that off and no use, you can always send me your code and ill take a look at it.

ShadyTyrant wrote: I was going to learn C++ but a friend of mine that runs coderprofile told me that C++ is old, messy, and unproductive. Your friend doesn't know what he's talking about. C++ is still widely used, and I have no idea where he got 'messy' or 'unproductive' from. If you don't want to be limited to windows applications, you could always go with C (there's C for mac and linux as well as windows) or java (since java is cross platform).

ynori7 wrote: [quote]ShadyTyrant wrote: I was going to learn C++ but a friend of mine that runs coderprofile told me that C++ is old, messy, and unproductive. Your friend doesn't know what he's talking about. C++ is still widely used, and I have no idea where he got 'messy' or 'unproductive' from. If you don't want to be limited to windows applications, you could always go with C (there's C for mac and linux as well as windows) or java (since java is cross platform).[/quote]

Very well said. Thank you.

This is what has had me so confused today. I here all this talk of C++ being widely used and then some one tells me I am wrong. That is why I wanted to do more research on the subject before I just start switching shit around.

Thanks for the tip on precompiled headers I will be sure to remember that if I continue on my quest with C++.

Also let me clarify on what I meant by windows apps. I meant the form and controls that come with visual studio. With a language like Vb you are stuck with using the form, and basic controls, and other ones you can add. I think with dot net that changed but I can not say for sure. I want something I can also make simple games with and other such things.

No problem. hopefully you stay with C++ and if you need any help i am glad to help you.

Your friend has no idea what he's talking about. C++ isn't sloppy at all unless you write sloppy code. C# is a little newer, yes, but people still use C++ a lot. I mean hell, C is still very popular…

Code in a language you like to code in. Stop caring so much what other people think. :)

Here's a few rankings of language popularity as of January 2009 just so you have some idea: http://www.tiobe.com/index.php/content/paperinfo/tpci/index.html http://www.langpop.com/

In reality, it doesn't make much difference what language you decide to learn. Many jobs have their own languages or variations of languages that they use, and if you go to university the professors will tell you what language to program in. You're likely to have to learn a new language in the future somewhere down the road. Keep in mind though that all programming languages are essentially the same. The only thing that really differs is the syntax. Once you fully understand all the pieces, you'll see that.

Just sample a few and choose the one that looks best to you since this is the language you're planning to use for your own comfort. Browse around through the code bank.

Well first off I want to thank ION for messaging me and suggesting VB.Net. I also would like to thank everyone that posted here for teaching me a valuable lesson today.

All day I racked my brain on the question "What programming language should I learn in depth?". I was thinking about learning languages that were 'the industry standard' and something I could use later on in life.

Those were the wrong reasons to pick a language. I learned today that it does not matter what one I learn now because no matter what I will have to learn another one for the 'industry' later on. The important thing is to have fun and learn about programming, not just one language. You all made me see that and I thank you so much.

So I am going on with VB.Net and Python because i have some EXP with them already and I enjoy them. VB will be my main but I see me messing around with python from time to time because I find its interpreted nature amusing.

Thank you all again for your help you have really put me in the right mind set to program and I have learned a valuable lesson.

Thats great news. Just stick to a language that you enjoy.

ShadyTyrant wrote: no matter what I will have to learn another one for the 'industry' later on. I didn't say 'no matter what', I just said it was quite possible.

The important thing is to have fun and learn about programming, not just one language. That's a good attitude to take, you'll learn more that way. I wish more people would realize that programming is all about the concepts and the techniques, and the language is just a tool to implement those. Master the concepts and the rest will come quickly.

Well, python is a good choice (assuming that you like it). Good luck with your ventures. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.