Which language to begin with?

[vanQ]

First of all I really hate Vista and I'll prolly start using Linux in the future if I'll get Starcraft up and running on it (with emulation).

I've always hated Microsoft so much and since Vista became an even more fiasco than imagined, I seized to learn C#, which I had read a few pages on "C# Station". I looked at VB.NET too and thought it was hideous with its syntax and hiding of the code. It relies too much on its program, Visual Studio.

So my question: Which language should I begin with? I'd love to be able to make 2D RPG games or something in the future. I think C++ can be a little too hard. Not sure but I think so. How's Java? It sucks up alot of memory atleast, the JRE is fat as hell (over 120Mb) and with Firefox the applets are killers (you browse away from a site where the applet was launched and still Firefox is taking something like 100k memory). Python sounds OK, but it's not as used, especially on windows I know 0 people using it, I mean having its runtime.

Please help me with this pick...

[RhinoBull]

First of all I really hate Vista and I'll prolly start using Linux in the future if I'll get Starcraft up and running on it (with emulation).

I've always hated Microsoft so much and since Vista became an even more fiasco than imagined, I seized to learn C#, which I had read a few pages on "C# Station". I looked at VB.NET too and thought it was hideous with its syntax and hiding of the code. It relies too much on its program, Visual Studio...

You might be in the wrong place then - we are mostly Microsoft "shop".
Some people may use Linux but how is that going to help you?
Even this board name is quite explicit: VBForums.

[Seraphino]

First of all I really hate Vista and I'll prolly start using Linux in the future if I'll get Starcraft up and running on it (with emulation).

I've always hated Microsoft so much and since Vista became an even more fiasco than imagined, I seized to learn C#, which I had read a few pages on "C# Station". I looked at VB.NET too and thought it was hideous with its syntax and hiding of the code. It relies too much on its program, Visual Studio.

So my question: Which language should I begin with? I'd love to be able to make 2D RPG games or something in the future. I think C++ can be a little too hard. Not sure but I think so. How's Java? It sucks up alot of memory atleast, the JRE is fat as hell (over 120Mb) and with Firefox the applets are killers (you browse away from a site where the applet was launched and still Firefox is taking something like 100k memory). Python sounds OK, but it's not as used, especially on windows I know 0 people using it, I mean having its runtime.

Please help me with this pick...

Hmmm, another Microsoft hater. You do realize that Linux is major fast.....without the graphics turned on...and when you go to turn the graphics on.....the checkbox is disabled.

If I were to tell you what language to use, I would probably have to say none, zilch, nada. Because any programmer who does not like Windows or uses Windows, should not program.

Why shouldn't they program? Becuase over 95% of the world uses Windows. So if you "Hate Windows Vista"....then why did you buy it? And, if you were using a beta version, then why don't you actually try buying it?

I don't realize why people think that they can ever have a future in programming a non-windows oriented language.

Lets take Java for example.....moreover, Sun Microsystems.

****Call to Sun Microsystems Support:

"Hello, This is Sun Microsystems"
"Hello, I have a problem with my [insert Sun product here]"

Long Pause...

"OK, what you want to do is grab your testicles, and squeeze real hard"
-------------------------

I am sorry I have to be so blunt, but it is the truth. If I would have to suggest a language to you, get Windows and learn C#. There is no future for Linux....Solaris.............or even Mac.

[rory]

there's no future for linux? LOL
tell that to all the world wide businesses, homes, and corporations using linux embedded devices.

[RhinoBull]

DIGITAL was once big too... but I'm afraid we are way off the topic.

[Seraphino]

there's no future for linux? LOL
tell that to all the world wide businesses, homes, and corporations using linux embedded devices.

I am talking about using Linux on a home (personal) computer as the main operating system. As for servers and whatever....that is OK :P

[rory]

I am talking about using Linux on a home (personal) computer as the main operating system. As for servers and whatever....that is OK :P

true .. :-)

[mendhak]

First of all I really hate Vista and I'll prolly start using Linux in the future if I'll get Starcraft up and running on it (with emulation).

I've always hated Microsoft so much and since Vista became an even more fiasco than imagined, I seized to learn C#, which I had read a few pages on "C# Station". I looked at VB.NET too and thought it was hideous with its syntax and hiding of the code. It relies too much on its program, Visual Studio.

So my question: Which language should I begin with? I'd love to be able to make 2D RPG games or something in the future. I think C++ can be a little too hard. Not sure but I think so. How's Java? It sucks up alot of memory atleast, the JRE is fat as hell (over 120Mb) and with Firefox the applets are killers (you browse away from a site where the applet was launched and still Firefox is taking something like 100k memory). Python sounds OK, but it's not as used, especially on windows I know 0 people using it, I mean having its runtime.

Please help me with this pick...

You've limited your choice to C/C++ and Java. Pick one or the other, those are the best options you have.

[penagate]

I don't realize why people think that they can ever have a future in programming a non-windows oriented language.

I have no future?

[rory]

I have no future?

maybe chasing kangaroos ..

[sciguyryan]

I have no future?

Me either?

[CornedBee]

Nor me Whatever shall I do?

Getting Starcraft to run under Wine is dead easy. I managed it even on my completely screwed up 64-bit Gentoo with dual-screen and a very brittle X configuration. So say goodbye to Windows
(It can then run even within a window if you want it to. But that sucks, because getting close to the edge of the window for scrolling without actually moving out becomes difficult.)

C/C++ is not one language. They are two very different languages, and especially in the learning stage there are worlds of difference there. They've got two things in common: the syntax, and feature-wise one is a near superset of the other.

Go for C++, Java or Python. They're all fine as a first language. Over time, you should learn all three anyway. If you've already started C#, Java will be the easiest to transfer to. Of course, you could also install Mono or DotGNU and continue with C#.