Which programming language should I concentrate on?

[NTB]

I received my BS in CS last december, and have been looking for job that would put that degree to good use since then. Haven't found it yet, and I just found out that I need to go back over my programming stuff again - it's been nearly 2 years since I've done much in the way of any programming (last year of classes was theoretical stuff and book work; much more so than any practical, hands-on application) amd I got my rear end handed to me in an interview because of that.

I think the best approach would be to pick 1 language and run with it for a while. I'm still trying to decide which one, though. My classes gave me experience with VB (6.0, not .NET, though I wouldn't mind working with either one), C++, and Java, so those are the ones for which I have the most materials / refferences at my disposal. Suggestions? I'm not looking at this as doing it solely for the purpose of getting a job, although I certainly think it would help. I want to do it more because the lack of depth in the classes I took aggravated me; I think that getting to know at least one of these languages to a greater degree would prove both challenging and useful, and might help in understanding other languages that I might want or need to pick up at a later date.

Nate

 

[Cooler]

C++ is most used at this time it is also good to learn .net frame work if your making gui.

 

[Sureshot324]

I think C++ is on the decline. Most programming these days is done with higher level languages like java. If you look at job sites there are a lot of java jobs. Also if you want to get into .net, you may want to learn C#. .Net is going to get a lot more important once windows vista comes out.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Sureshot324
I think C++ is on the decline. Most programming these days is done with higher level languages like java. If you look at job sites there are a lot of java jobs. Also if you want to get into .net, you may want to learn C#. .Net is going to get a lot more important once windows vista comes out.

This is kind of what I was thinking. Most of the positions I've seen for programmers around here have been for java. I believe the company my cousin works for moved to Java for the programming stuff that they had to do, as well.

Nate

 

[EagleKeeper]

Java or C++.

Using .NEt will prevent you from 2/3 of the potential work out in the market

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Java or C++.

Using .NEt will prevent you from 2/3 of the potential work out in the market

how so?

 

[Markbnj]

I think a truly expert C++ programmer will be able to find good paying work for quite awhile yet, especially if some specialization is achieved in an area like COM development, network programming, graphics, etc.

But I agree it is on the decline, if only because applications are typically multi-language efforts now, with C++ being relegated to the most performance sensitive pieces, or the pieces where you need to do something, such as manage memory tightly, that isn't easy in higher level constructs.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Java or C++.

Using .NEt will prevent you from 2/3 of the potential work out in the market

... and almost guarantee work in the other 1/3

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Java or C++.

Using .NEt will prevent you from 2/3 of the potential work out in the market

how so?

.Net is windows based

What about the realtime, Unix and embedded systems that are out there.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Java or C++.

Using .NEt will prevent you from 2/3 of the potential work out in the market

how so?

.Net is windows based

What about the realtime, Unix and embedded systems that are out there.

Good point. Bump for the morning crowd

Nate

 

[Drakkon]

I would have to say knowing Java has opened a ton of doors for me. Java seems to be the language everyone is trying to base their new languages off of now and thus it kinda transferes over to everything. It really depends on the field your looking into going into though.
I'm going to go in another direction here and say there is a LOT of money in Director and Flash programming right now if your interested in creating educational content. This is the field that opened for me by knowing Java, and now whenever im looking to hire programmers i dont look for people that know Flash/director first i look for people that know java first

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Java or C++.

Using .NEt will prevent you from 2/3 of the potential work out in the market

how so?

.Net is windows based

What about the realtime, Unix and embedded systems that are out there.

Good point. Bump for the morning crowd

Nate

Voice of Experience

 

[robphelan]

SAP ABAP!!!

 

[Cutterhead]

Originally posted by: robphelan
SAP ABAP!!!

Second that