For School/Fun -- Which Languages to Learn??

[EarnhardtFan3]

hey guys, ive got some free time now that work isnt throwing me a full schedule, and i wanted to use it to learn some programming stuffs. hopefully in the fall i will be going to school for computer engineering so i know that i will be learning C. i was also curious tho, what are some languages to learn, other than that, that would be helpful, as well as fun to know? with MS's new .NET platform with all the VISUAL languages, are those worth getting into, now that they may take over somewhat as it becomes a standard? i do know however that most normal school classes that i will be taking will be focusing on the older languages, i was just curious as to what else was important out there... please give me some ideas!! thanks everyone...

 

[singh]

I think that C++ is a must, so you might want to get an early start on it. Other than that, check out some scripting languages like Python. And if you're into Windows, Visual Basic will be helpful.

 

[PCHPlayer]

To start with Java is a fairly simple language with which to learn the basics. Besides the compiler is free! C++ is definitely a good next step. The new .net platform may take off, but at $1000 for Visual Studio, no thanks!

 

[EarnhardtFan3]

well i know there is a plain C class next year at school... i took some VB stuff in high school, and i just thought itd be cool to learn it again, seeing as how i thought it was a pretty neat language, even if not a HLL. just something cool to know and work with. i guess i should really take a look at the class curriculum to get an understanding of what i should know... i have taken a C class, although it was taught by the most Nazi-esque teacher ever, so it wasnt necessarily as educational as it could of been. wasnt taught in that class, more like showed... so bascially, if i learn things like C++, its easy to just adapt it to the new .NET stuff? i think i may end up with .NET just to screw around with. and as for programs, what do i need in order to program everything? i know a UNIX environment would be nice, but not here, as its XP. anything more than Visual Studio 6?? thanks guys...

 

[Mitzi]

PERL/CGI (you can get a binary which runs on WindowsXP).

 

[thornc]

Python... as a startup, a from there C/C++ and Java.....

Learn the standard language sets, and after that the platform specific stuff... like win32, DCOM, RPC, .NET, QT, KDE, GNOME, CORBA,
CARBON, etc...

 

[Zebo]

Spanish if you live in Ca,

 

[spartacuskzm]

French - it will get you a ton of chicks in the sack ;-)

Voulle vouz enkulle a vec moi se soi? (no, I never took french so the spelling is probably horrendous, but my ex french g/f loved this line)

 

[QTPie]

Perl, I'd say. You should learn it in *NIX environment.

I'd learn French. It's such a beautiful language. But here in Silicon Valley, Spanish is more practical.

spartacuskzm. What does that mean?

 

[spartacuskzm]

<< I'd learn French. It's such a beautiful language. But here in Silicon Valley, Spanish is more practical. spartacuskzm. What does that mean? >>



Uh, let's just say it's not something beautiful - but it sure gets their attention.

In all honesty, however, French really is very beautiful and I wish I knew it as well. But alas, Spanis is much more practical (I grew up in So-Cal, so it's even MORE beneficial down here).

Hasta la vista, Salut and Zai Jian,

 

[MonstaThrilla]

Many top computer science dept.'s in the country teach Scheme(based on Lisp) as the intro language. I hated it when I took it, but looking back it taught me quite a lot and the syntax is very simple (maybe too simple?).

Also, the student version of Visual Studio .NET Pro is only $100, I'm planning to get it soon.

 

[Descartes]

<< The new .net platform may take off, but at $1000 for Visual Studio, no thanks! >>



Visual Studio.NET is just an IDE, you don't have to use it. Just like Java; you can download the SDK and write your code in vi if you so choose. You could also buy one of the rather expensive IDEs for Java. Same with .NET; download the framework SDK and write your code in any one of your editors.

 

[PCHPlayer]

Descartes,
Can you provide a link to where I can download a free C++ compiler for windows?
I don't consider $100 for Symantec Visual Cafe' to be expensive for an IDE. You can also download Forte' community edition for free.

 

[Descartes]

<< Can you provide a link to where I can download a free C++ compiler for windows? >>



here.

As I said, the .NET framework SDK contains all the compilers (C#, VB.NET, C++, etc.).



<< I don't consider $100 for Symantec Visual Cafe' to be expensive for an IDE. You can also download Forte' community edition for free. >>



Whatever, that's not the point. Point is, Visual Studio.NET is not required to write for .NET just like a Java IDE is not required to write Java. Both respective platforms offer an SDK.

[edit]spelling[/edit]

 

[PCHPlayer]

Thanks for the link. I've already downloaded it (all 100+MB). I'll have to install it and see what the hype is all about.