Need help deciding on a programming class...

[blackllotus]

Don't waste the money you paid for college on learning COBOL. Learn C++

 

[labgeek]

Originally posted by: bennylong
I took Cobol, Fortron, Pascal, 16 years ago before they offered C. Why the hell would you want to learn Cobol when the only job you can find is for maintanence?

Monster shows > 1000 jobs for COBOL

Originally posted by: Feldenak
C++

I would actually recommend .NET but between those two, C++.

I don't use either COBOL or C++. I do use a little VB.NET and very little C#...I haven't seen C++ since I graduated (MIS).

.NET is not a language but a platform... BTW, both COBOL and C++ are supported under .NET

 

[blackllotus]

Originally posted by: labgeek

Originally posted by: bennylong
I took Cobol, Fortron, Pascal, 16 years ago before they offered C. Why the hell would you want to learn Cobol when the only job you can find is for maintanence?

Monster shows > 1000 jobs for COBOL

I can assure you that almost all of them are for maintaining legacy applications written in COBOL. Nobody in their right mind uses COBOL for any new project.

 

[FoBoT]

COBOL or Latin

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: batchusa
What about advancing your Java programming skills instead of C++/COBOL? Or how about database courses?

I really enjoyed Java and have thought about looking into that as well. However, I have not seen any higher level Java classes, but I haven't looked that hard. It is required for my major that I take another programming class. (as said, COBOL is recommended for my major) SQL is another required one I'm taking in the fall of 2007.

 

[jakedeez]

C++

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: labgeek
.NET is not a language but a platform... BTW, both COBOL and C++ are supported under .NET

Most of us know .NET is not a specific language. However; it's sought after today. Having .NET anything is a great entry tool.

 

[irishScott]

Another vote for C++.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Do not take COBOL. COBOL is the devil.

 

[sao123]

this thread needs a poll...

COBOL is worthless... but depending on how your C++ is taught it might not be much better...(my C++ class was still using visual studio 6 & MFC 4.2)

Now if they teach you some C++.net 2003 or C++.net 2005, that would be very worthwhile.

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: sao123
this thread needs a poll...

I wanted more than just a simple one way or the other answer. (quantitative) Like the answer you provided has qualitative information where the posts above do not.

That said, I think I'm going to walk through COBOL and then VB.NET in the fall with some friends.

 

[ultimatebob]

I'd choose a systems analysis or systems administration course before either of those, since so many programming jobs are going overseas.

If I had to choose between C++ or COBOL, though, I'd go with C++. COBOL is a dying language, only used for maintenance mainframe programming now.

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I'd choose a systems analysis or systems administration course before either of those, since so many programming jobs are going overseas.

If I had to choose between C++ or COBOL, though, I'd go with C++. COBOL is a dying language, only used for maintenance mainframe programming now.

I have currently taken or am taking the continuation of Systems Analysis. The Administration courses are for my fall/senior year.