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Bibby wrote:
> Hi, I'm interested in getting started in the programming world. I've
dabbled
> in C, C++ and VB6. Which would be the best language to focus my
attention to
> regarding the following considerations:
>
> Hireability

Java, C#.NET, Internet languages (ASP, PHP, JavaScript, ...), XML

> Portability

why do you care?

> Flexibility

C (the lingua franca of the programming world) and C++

> The likely candidates seem to be Java, VB.Net, C, C++, C#.
>
> Also, what would be the best scripting language to get started in?
Maybe
> something that's a subset of an above language? Maybe scripting is a
good
> way to get started in general?

JavaScript seems to be an ideal beginner language. Virtually everyone
has a JS 'IDE' (notepad) and a JS interpreter (browser) installed.
Combined with HTML as your GUI you can learn to program 'Internet
applications' in very short time.

R.C.

Chris Dutton wrote:

> Mick Sharpe wrote:

> > Python and Ruby are two modern scripting languages, again with very
clean
> > designs and fully object-oriented.
>
> I'd like to second the suggestion for Ruby. It's really a fantastic
> language, and the concepts map well to those in "grown-up" languages
> like Java and C# well (at least superficially).

No way. Ruby will spoil you, and make returning to those languages
miserable.

--
Phlip
http://www.c2.com/cgi/wiki?ZeekLand

Tony wrote:
> In California, at least, .NET is the way to go. I typically see at
least
> 10-15 .NET jobs listed for each PHP job I see. They're pretty evenly
split
> between C# and VB - I really haven't seen any call for J# locally.
(I'm
> talking Los Angeles / Orange County, BTW)
>
> .NET also pays better, overall.

Can a typical MFC programmer apply for a .NET job or is s/he considered
unqualified?

On Sat, 21 May 2005, Bibby wrote:

> Hi, I'm interested in getting started in the programming world. I've dabbled
> in C, C++ and VB6. Which would be the best language to focus my attention to
> regarding the following considerations:
>
> Hireability
> Portability
> Flexibility
>
> The likely candidates seem to be Java, VB.Net, C, C++, C#.
>
> Also, what would be the best scripting language to get started in? Maybe
> something that's a subset of an above language? Maybe scripting is a good
> way to get started in general?
>
> Thanks,
>
> PA
>
>
>

As one who has nevery done any web programming, I can speak as only a hard core
unix programmer. Learning just language should NEVER be your goal.
A person I workd for for @ 17 years, told me "When you don't know where to
start, just start until you figure out where you need to start".

So if you interested in programming in one of the languages above, flip a coin?


___ _ ____ ___ __ __
/ _ )(_) / /_ __ / _ \___ _/ /_/ /____ ___
/ _ / / / / // / / ___/ _ `/ __/ __/ _ \/ _ \
/____/_/_/_/\_, / /_/ \_,_/\__/\__/\___/_//_/
/___/
Texas Instruments ASIC Circuit Design Methodology Group
Dallas, Texas, 214-480-4455, b-

My recommendation would be:

Stop crossposting to every group in creation. Please.

Bibby wrote:
> Hi, I'm interested in getting started in the programming world. I've dabbled
> in C, C++ and VB6. Which would be the best language to focus my attention to
> regarding the following considerations:
>
> Hireability
> Portability
> Flexibility
>
> The likely candidates seem to be Java, VB.Net, C, C++, C#.
>
> Also, what would be the best scripting language to get started in? Maybe
> something that's a subset of an above language? Maybe scripting is a good
> way to get started in general?
>
> Thanks,
>
> PA
>
>

Hey Guys, I really appreciate everyones input - it's really helping me out.
I haven't fully decided where to go yet but I'm leaning towards Javascript
and VB (just for starters). You'll, hopefully be hearing more from me on my
journey and I can't wait for the day when I'll have some helpful advice for
another newbie.

Great community.

PA

"Scott Moore" <> wrote in message
news:d6tals$on9$...
> My recommendation would be:
>
> Stop crossposting to every group in creation. Please.
>
> Bibby wrote:
>> Hi, I'm interested in getting started in the programming world. I've
>> dabbled
>> in C, C++ and VB6. Which would be the best language to focus my attention
>> to
>> regarding the following considerations:
>>
>> Hireability
>> Portability
>> Flexibility
>>
>> The likely candidates seem to be Java, VB.Net, C, C++, C#.
>>
>> Also, what would be the best scripting language to get started in? Maybe
>> something that's a subset of an above language? Maybe scripting is a good
>> way to get started in general?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> PA
>>
>>
>

What would be your suggestion then, if not Java? Which starting language
would serve a newbie well on a quest to master many?

PA
"Francis Glassborow" <> wrote in message
news:...
> In article <d6paqp$qit$>, Malcolm
> <> writes
>>Java is a good choice for first language.
>
> Maybe, but my feeling is that it gets less so with every release. 'Java in
> a Nutshell' 5th edition has over 1200 pages.
>
> The second problem I have with Java as a first language is that it heavily
> constrains the choice of programming paradigms. Such restriction often
> results in difficulties with learning other languages. Quick, visually
> attractive toy programs may give the student a sense of achievement
> (actually that is important) but it can act as a hindrance to long term
> progress.
>
>
> --
> Francis Glassborow ACCU
> Author of 'You Can Do It!' see http://www.spellen.org/youcandoit
> For project ideas and contributions:
> http://www.spellen.org/youcandoit/projects

No offence intended (crossposting), just needed input from varying
backgrounds - it's proven really helpful.

PA

"Scott Moore" <> wrote in message
news:d6tals$on9$...
> My recommendation would be:
>
> Stop crossposting to every group in creation. Please.
>
> Bibby wrote:
>> Hi, I'm interested in getting started in the programming world. I've
>> dabbled
>> in C, C++ and VB6. Which would be the best language to focus my attention
>> to
>> regarding the following considerations:
>>
>> Hireability
>> Portability
>> Flexibility
>>
>> The likely candidates seem to be Java, VB.Net, C, C++, C#.
>>
>> Also, what would be the best scripting language to get started in? Maybe
>> something that's a subset of an above language? Maybe scripting is a good
>> way to get started in general?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> PA
>>
>>
>

"Bibby" <> wrote in message
news:Ghrke.2493$.. .
> Hey Guys, I really appreciate everyones input - it's really helping me
out.
> I haven't fully decided where to go yet but I'm leaning towards Javascript
> and VB (just for starters). You'll, hopefully be hearing more from me on
my
> journey and I can't wait for the day when I'll have some helpful advice
for
> another newbie.
>
> Great community.
>
> PA
>

Those 2 languages, JavaScript and VB, are the only 2 i would discourage a
newbie to delve into. Specially VB, which in my opinion is not a language
but a mind-corrupting scripting system.

Phlip wrote:
> Chris Dutton wrote:
>
>>I'd like to second the suggestion for Ruby. It's really a fantastic
>>language, and the concepts map well to those in "grown-up" languages
>>like Java and C# well (at least superficially).
>
>
> No way. Ruby will spoil you, and make returning to those languages
> miserable.

Well, yes.

Of course, the other way to look at it is that it'll make you appreciate
programming for fun in Ruby all the more. Also, you might be getting
paid by the hour, in which case using Java or C# or such isn't a bad thing.