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I've got a pretty good hold on VB and want to learn a new language to expand my skillset.
I've looked through books on C++ and Java and Java would be easier to learn but C++ has all the power from what I've been told by other programmer friends.
What does everyone else think? Which language do you think is more profitable and which will have more longevity?
I plan on learning both, but I've started with C++. I'm not quite sure why, but I have a feeling that Java kind of follows on from C++ in a lot of ways, it's like an evolution of C++. I think.
learn C++.
denniswrenn,
Why C++?
Although I have not used Java yet, I think I have a pretty good idea of what it's like, and I would say that by learning C++ you will be learning the fundamentals of progamming to a much greater degree.
With C++ you can use pointers, which can be kind of weird at times, but are actually very useful (now I've used C++ a bit I wish I could use them in VB).
Also, if you reckon you might ever want to try your hand at C# (if it takes off) then C# is apparently very similar to C++.
C++ is better than java, its more powerful and that is what alot of commercial software is written in, and C++ is what almost all games are written in..
the main reasons I like C++ is
* Pointers
* speed
* it has been around so long you can find DOZENS of books and documentation on it.
:)
denniswren,
But isn't there a move more toward Java. It seems like Java is being used more and more in commercial and web-based apps. And what I am asking is do you think that Java will overtake C++ and become a more popular language because of it's usability in a web-based economy.
C++ is not going to disappear anytime soon, I guarantee it. Java is popular, yes, but not as popular. So far as I can tell, they are very similar languages (same syntax at least) but C++ is closer to the fundamentals of programming. By learning C++ you will find Java easier.
Don't just learn Java or just learn C++ though, learn both. In today's industry breadth of knowledge is very much needed, and C++ and Java are two of the most highly sought after skills right now.
well C++ is better, because java was written in C++...
and C++ is never going to go away, it is one of the most powerful languages there is....
and I am gonna learn Java but I dont like it very much... the applets take too long to load,... for things like that I like to use macromedia flash.
its small its easy and it loads fast :)
I should have learned C++ before VB, because now I am used to Vb doing lots of stuff for me(auto-capitalization, etc.) and its really screwing me up when I use C++....
Learn C++, then Java. They both have complimentary skills which are very helpful.
Definitely C++
From what I heard, JAVA is becoming less and less popular, and they seem to look a lot alike code-wise. I figure if you learn C++ first then JAVA should be easy.
From what I understand, C++ encapsulates (no pun intended ;)) all the fundamental aspects of Java and then some. If you leanr C++ first you will find it a relatively easy transition to Java, but if you learn Java first you may struggle with C++.