Hi, Well I know this board gets an awful lot of "Which language" threads, but I kind of hope this one is different in a way, here my dilemma: I have started programming with Java and everything is fine but when I read articles like these: http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=30415&seqNum=2 ... I wonder if it's worth actually learning Java as it's described as second rate compared to C++. So here's my questions: 1. What limits does Java have that C++ doesn't and vice versa? 2. What limits does VB have that C++ doesn't have and vice versa? 3. What limits does VB have that Java doesn't and vice versa? 4. Most importantly, what is YOUR opinion on the future of these 3 programming languages in 8-10 years, give reasons please. Thanks in Advance Tom [Edited by - TomX on September 21, 2004 2:28:21 PM]

Im sorry I dont have time right now to answer your questions, but I can say one thing: Disregard that article, the author appears to be grossly misinformed. I cannot emphasize that enough.

Quote:
Luckily for all involved, people are working on this problem, but don't hold your breath—they're working in VB and Java, so it might take a while.

This sentance makes me think the article is by someone having a laugh, except it isn't that funny. That or, perhaps, a bitter C++ developer who has been ousted from his job by a new generation of programmers who use Java/C#/VB to whip up useful applications in half the time he can do it.

Quote:Original post by pex22
1. java is slow, and c++ cant be used online like java (but you can create cgi files in c++)

Java isn't slow. Plus, most contemporary JVM's use JIT compilation anyway.

Quote:2. vb? anything! vb was made in c++, vb uses a runtime, vb is for windows only

VB hasn't required a runtime in several versions; it's been able to create standalone binaries since version 5, iirc. Oh, and there's REALbasic for the Mac, which is quite similar to VB. VB.NET is fully portable, however.

Quote:3. java is a multi-platform language, vb isn't.

See last sentence above.

Quote:4. vb is nice for beginners, not for next 8-10 years. i heard its not good for graphics programming. (by the way, the gui thing in vb, where you design your dialogs- is available in every visual studio program.)

VB wasn't targeted at beginners, it just has a shallow learning curve. It'll let you get away with a lot of poor code (well, not as much anymore with VB.NET), but learning to write efficient VB code takes a while. There's also a graphics engine written entirely in Visual Basic that is highly performant. I can't remember it's name or find a link right now.

Quote:c++ can be used forever, its an everlasting language. you dont have to worry about that language.

Actually, you do. Just like assembly became an anachronism compared to C and C has been relegated in the minds of most to "low-level" programming like embedded systems and operating systems/device drivers, so, too, will C++ be usurped by something else. It's inevitable.

Quote:correct me if i wrong somewhere.

Uh, everywhere?


What is important is to master the fundamental principles of programming, learning about enough different paradigms and approaches to problem solving as to have a portable skill set. As C++ is fairly multiparadigm, it's a good language to learn because it exposes you to a fair amount of variety, plus the sheer challenge of mastering it is a good recommendation to anyone who might be interested in hiring you.

So learn whatever languages suit your purposes. They are tools, nothing more.

Learn them all. And Python.

Quote:Original post by grbrg
Being a programer is never about a certain language. Java is a good way to start learning programming and OO, the switch to C++ should not be too difficult if it ever should be needed.

Thats a good idea, I was having alot of trouble getting into c++ from using vb.

Then I learned java and c++ was easy after that.

I've never gone back to vb....

Thanks for all the feedback :)

The author of that article must have been a bit bias.

I've decided to concentrate mainly until I'm pretty proficient with Java then when I feel the need I will learn C++ and possibly VB when I am proficient in C++.

Thanks Again
TomX