Hello everyone,

I would first like to introduce myself in order for you to be able to answer my question.

Some time ago I started learning C++ programming. I went through most of the basics

(to be clear: variables, conditional statements, loops, functions, arrays, vectors, pointers, classes,

inheritance, dynamic memory and template programming). I learned C++ to start making games, but

yet I think it is more wise to start with something else, while I'm very interested in some other development topics as well.

I want to learn a new language for that, but I just can't decide.

I am interested in making two types of things:

-Desktop applications (GUI's; I will call them that from now on to prevent confusion)

-Mobile Applications

I did some research and found out that making GUI's for Windows (my target platform) is the easiest with

C# and .net. So in that sight, I would start learning that, but, on the other side is Java good for programming mobile applications.

In the end I want to learn both languages, but first I would like to make some things with the first of the two that I learn.

1. My first interest is making desktop applications, so my first question is: is Java good for making desktop applications as well? (then I don't need to make a very hard choice between mobile and desktop).

2. Is one easier to learn than the other for someone with programming experience (in C++)

3. Are the average mobile Andoird apps more profitable (financial) than GUI's for desktop (my main interest is just to make something nice and usefull and learn from that, but if one is maybe a little more profitable (due to advertisement for example) than the other then the choice is a bit more easy)

4. What is a good resource (I prefer books) to learn the language you advise? (A resource meant for someone who has former programming knowledge: for example, not a book that spends a huge amount of pages on the theory behind variables.)

I hope everything is clear, otherwise I would like to hear it.

Many thanks in advance

is Java good for making desktop applications as well?

Long story short: Yes. Java is incredibly widespread! If you're after those really really niché advantages, then the nature of the JVM and garbage collection may hold you back a tiny bit (If you're learning, you almost certainly won't notice it).

Is one easier to learn than the other for someone with programming experience (in C++)

You have covered alot of the basics of C++, so both C# and Java will be relatively easy to jump into. Syntax-wise, all three languages are similar. Although if I had to make a decision, I would say that you'd be a little bit more comfortable with Java, as C#'s .NET is a bit different to standard C++. I highly doubt you'll find either language far harder than the other.

Are the average mobile Andoird apps more profitable (financial) than GUI's for desktop (my main interest is just to make something nice and usefull and learn from that, but if one is maybe a little more profitable (due to advertisement for example) than the other then the choice is a bit more easy)

Unfortunately I'm not really in a place to answer this question with much degree of certainty. The difference wouldn't be massive, although I would say that Android apps would be easier for making a quick-buck, and could be less-risky in terms of wasted time if an app doesn't turn out well (Compared to a large desktop GUI project)

You must remember that Java is incredibly portable due to the nature of the JVM. C# is far more Windows-oriented. You must ask yourself: Are you interested in being very cross-platform? Or are you happy to stick to Windows for the majority of the time. If you want your work to be more portable, you'd probably benefit more from learning Java. C# if you're happy with Windows.

What is a good resource (I prefer books) to learn the language you advise? (A resource meant for someone who has former programming knowledge: for example, not a book that spends a huge amount of pages on the theory behind variables.)

Java has a great advantage of having a massive following. As a result, you can look at PLENTY of previous-projects and see how other people are formatting their projects. Although if you want to begin at the start (Which I recommend), I would say just to look at the documentation, experiment and find code-samples over the web.

I think I've been fairly non-biased (I'm a C++ fanboy and I love to hate Java). You won't struggle learning either languages though, if you made decent progress with the basics of C++. Good luck!

You must remember that Java is incredibly portable due to the nature of the JVM. C# is far more Windows-oriented. You must ask yourself: Are you interested in being very cross-platform? Or are you happy to stick to Windows for the majority of the time. If you want your work to be more portable, you'd probably benefit more from learning Java. C# if you're happy with Windows.

I develop games for Android and iOS using C#

Are you using Xamarin?

(but like stated above, WinForms itself is not supported cross-platform since Mono gave up on it due to too much under-the-hood Win32 coupling).

When did this happen? I have enough WinForms on my out-of-the-box Ubuntu 12 Mono install to get a window and P/Invoke up an OpenGL context. mono --version says "Mono JIT compiler version 2.10.8.1 (Debian 2.10.8.1-1ubuntu2.3)" I will be appalled if an upgrade in my system means I have to rewrite my cross platform code with something more complex.

(Edit: Fixed quote)

(but like stated above, WinForms itself is not supported cross-platform since Mono gave up on it due to too much under-the-hood Win32 coupling).

When did this happen? I have enough WinForms on my out-of-the-box Ubuntu 12 Mono install to get a window and P/Invoke up an OpenGL context. mono --version says "Mono JIT compiler version 2.10.8.1 (Debian 2.10.8.1-1ubuntu2.3)" I will be appalled if an upgrade in my system means I have to rewrite my cross platform code with something more complex.

(Edit: Fixed quote)

Thanks for the help everyone.

I decided to go with C# (to use .NET) and

after that to go with Java anyway if I need to use the Android

SDK to make apps.

What is a good book for someone who knows the basics of programming

(in c++) to learn C# (and .NET if possible). With this I mean a book that doesn't

spend for example a huge amount of pages on the theory behind variables, etc,

(I saw the book Microsoft Visual C# 2013 Step by Step by John Sharp, might this be good)

Thanks.

I can't remember an exact date; last I used WinForms on OSX was 4 or 5 years ago. The problem we had then was that the program would not register clicks on checkboxes while the app was on an external second monitor of an OSX laptop. Bizarre stuff like that.

A recent search for "mono WinForms" says they're working on a version 2.0, so my info was out of date. They must have reconsidered how important running WinForms apps could be.