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Career choice: Java or .Net?

N

Namuna

Platinum Member
A little over a year ago I made the move from Windows Tech/Network Support to the Unix world and BASH scripting (amongs other responsibilities).

The department I work with is basically segmented into either the folks that code Java, or the folks that code C++ and I'm starting to feel like the mook that's only good for writing scripts (in bash) to automate the processes of compiling and releasing the finished code...I'm missing out on contributing with actual code.

I want to get more involved, which means I'm going to need to learn a language...But which one? I've been leaning towards Java, it seems to be more "graphical" interface and product wise, but I don't want to be crippling myself in doing so instead of going the C++ route.

Experienced responses is most welcome.

Thanks.
 
you should try the software forum. more programmers there.

though doing C++ isn't the same as using .Net. it can be if you write so called "Managed C++"
 
my company has hired like 8 .NET programmers in the past 3 months and 1 java developer. The java guy is making like 3 or 4 times what the .NET guys are.

I'm going to say do what you like to do and let the money worry about itself. If you're good enough, everything "should" pan out.

Then again, if the internet has taught me anything, you should become a monk or a priest...everyone seems to be LFM or LFP nowadays. 🙂
 
You shouldn't learn a programming language, you should learn how to program/engineer. Languages will always change, but ifyou have the concepts it shouldn't matter.
 
Originally posted by: rsd
You shouldn't learn a programming language, you should learn how to program/engineer. Languages will always change, but ifyou have the concepts it shouldn't matter.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
There are a lot more job opportunities with Java. However, if you ever want to work for MS .NET is a must.
 
you want to be just a typical code monkey or get a real job with interaction.

Former just pick one and sit in a cube without a phone for $12-15 per hour.

Latter learn anything you can and sell it. Trick is to sacrifice yourself to one good company and put a year in....then shop new employers. It's typical a guy with no pro experience makes under $30k, but that same guy with just 1 or 2 years of pro experience doubling that.

There are a lot of 'look at all these certs' candidates out there, only many have never actually worked in a professional capacity (ie more than a 10-20 person small business).

I have a lot of loose experience in a lot of various things, no certs yet, but got picked up by a Fortune 500 because I have a mixture of mortgage and computer experience over the past 20+ years (started at 12 in both), and over this past year had major responsibilities handed to me because I can handle both sides of the problem with little intervention. Also have had serious job offers which I am not even considering at this moment since they are taking really good care off me, like a 4 figure raise greater than the mid point mark of that. 4% is a good annual here I scored way over that (I am not making low 5 figures by the way, my boss commented I did better than they did and I am still considered hourly 😉). Most of the people getting more had a promotion or changed job functions.

They are going to pay my MCSE, Cisco, whatever certs I want, even send me to school....promotion next year probably 🙂

that's the way it goes. Don't align yourself to a language, align yourself to a business type and learn everything you can about it....then learn everything about programming for it. You get both sides of the coin then you score.

If I was in my 20's I'd be working 6-12 months and shopping constantly, unless I had a major situation, then I'd still keep my ears / eyes open....chances are in a great situation they will meet any offer you get to keep you. I am mid 30's now so I am taking a more retirement planned path.
 
Originally posted by: rsd
You shouldn't learn a programming language, you should learn how to program/engineer. Languages will always change, but ifyou have the concepts it shouldn't matter.
Click to expand...
Bingo! It's not what language(s) you currently know, it's the intelligence and knowledge to write proper and efficient code that matters most.

But from personal experience, I love .NET 2.0 (Visual Studio 2005), and hopefully won't ever have to move back to Java. Visual Studio 2005 is the best dev. environment I've seen yet.
 
yep, learn concepts, and make yourself adaptable to all situations

<-- one month out of school, doing j2ee jsp/struts dev.
 
Thanks for all the replies folks, some great info here.

alkemyst, great advice...especially this:
that's the way it goes. Don't align yourself to a language, align yourself to a business type and learn everything you can about it....then learn everything about programming for it. You get both sides of the coin then you score.
Click to expand...

And the suggestion of learning about the programmatic concepts first is also pertinent, I think I've at least the basics down (I've been doing hardcore bash shell scripting with a lot of programmatic constructs for over a year now, and just from playing around over the years I've got a good idea).
 
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