Author Topic: What programming language should I learn? V. Java --> Android Development (Read 1613 times)

Fiery Winds · « **on:** February 01, 2012, 09:38:05 PM »

I've had 2 courses of C++, used C in one course, and one course of assembly language. My degree of Industrial Technology gave me just a little of everything, but I'm considering expanding my job opportunities with a more solid understanding of programming. Should I refine my skills with C/C++ or learn something like Visual Basic? Thoughts?

theseoafs · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:40:41 PM »

Depends on what you want to do. For my money, mastery in C and C++ is the way to go, being that they're the industry standard for video games and a buttload of applications, but Python or Java may be well-suited to these tasks as well.

rumborak · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:07:09 PM »

Visual Basic, god no.Nobody really uses it anymore. C++ or Java is your best bet. I personally like C#, but that language kinda binds you to Windows.

rumborak

Sigz · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:17:08 PM »

Quote from: rumborak on February 01, 2012, 10:07:09 PM

Visual Basic, god no.Nobody really uses it anymore. C++ or Java is your best bet. I personally like C#, but that language kinda binds you to Windows.

rumborak

All of this.

Fiery Winds · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2012, 10:20:05 PM »

Given that I'm a bit rusty on C/C++ should I focus on C first to get back in the groove and then jump back into OOP with C++?

EDIT: Actually, what do you think of taking CS106A and CS106B off of iTunes U? The former uses Java and the latter covers C++.

Scrub206 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:40:23 AM »

ugh programming languages suck. i hate them all ;o;

orcus116 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:42:14 AM »

Scheme

wasteland · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:48:47 AM »

I had to learn Fortran 90 earlier this year, and I liked it quite a lot. It's very good (I suppose) for application in Physics, but for other purposes it may be a bit outdated...

MajorMatt · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2012, 07:08:05 AM »

Quote from: rumborak on February 01, 2012, 10:07:09 PM

Visual Basic, god no.Nobody really uses it anymore. C++ or Java is your best bet. I personally like C#, but that language kinda binds you to Windows.

rumborak

Exactly this. I learnt C# recently and found it quite a nice language, my C++ skills need some serious attention haven't touched it in years. Java is my language of the moment, I'd say go for Java.

jag66 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:10:25 AM »

Coin toss between C# and Java. As people have said, with C# you're tied to Microsoft.. Java is open source.

I prefer C#.

theseoafs · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2012, 09:30:26 AM »

Quote from: orcus116 on February 02, 2012, 06:42:14 AM

Scheme

Cruithne · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2012, 10:24:37 AM »

It depends on the kind of industry you think you're likely to enter into, really.

Web development? I'd recommend Ruby and Javascript.

Games development (I don't recommend it if you want something approaching a stable life)? Broadly speaking C++ (and a scripting language such as LUA), but development is broadening so there's ActionScript for Flash/Facebook games (*spit*), Java for Android development and Objective-C for iOS. I think there's XBLA titles using C#/XNA too and Unity scripting allows you to use C#.

And so on...

Also, see here: https://langpop.com/

I can always recommend doing a good whack of assembly so that you learn the guts of machines properly but it's not essential.

Sketchy · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2012, 10:38:12 AM »

My advice on visual basic is as follows.

No. Bad. Don't do it.

We had a programming course in that hellish thing last year as part of the labs unit, and I don't want to see that damned thing again. I do intend to learn python at some stage, as I attempted it once (and it's way easier than VB... besides, it doesn't have stupid buttons or boxes.)

Fiery Winds · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2012, 04:03:56 PM »

Thanks for all the advice guys! I'm not familiar enough with development for different fields, so I can't really narrow it down that way. Since it's been years since my last programming class, I think I'm going to follow the iTunes U course covering Java then C++.

I just completed the four problems in Assignment 1:

https://www.stanford.edu/class/cs106a/handouts/060%20Assignment%201.pdf

The syntax and structure were a piece of cake. The only part that took me some more time was generalizing the code to work for the special cases they presented, and that was challenging my thought process, not so much the actual programming.

Implode · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2012, 04:44:18 PM »

So...is there any job where VB is needed? It's a required course here if you're an IS major...which I am, and I'm taking a VB class right now. But I've also taken a bit of Java and am doing C++ right now as well.

XJDenton · « **Reply #15 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:44:48 PM »

I'd go with java. Its cross platform and flexible.

snapple · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:24:10 PM »

>learn to be social
>get a good barber/tailor/speech trainer etc.
>stand up straight, eat right, work out
>start political campaign
>

?
>profit!

No need to learn programming languages. If you start now, we'll lose you to the nerds forever! WE CAN SAVE HIM!

AcidLameLTE · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2012, 06:50:56 PM »

Quote from: Implode on February 02, 2012, 04:44:18 PM

So...is there any job where VB is needed? It's a required course here if you're an IS major...which I am, and I'm taking a VB class right now. But I've also taken a bit of Java and am doing C++ right now as well.

I used VBS to create a login script at last (IT) job. Haven't really done anything else with it.

Fiery Winds · « **Reply #18 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:20:47 PM »

So I'm watching the CS106A video off iTunes, and he starts talking about a programming practice that literally changed how I approach coding: Top down design + stepwise refinement. It just made the process of translating algorithms to code that much easier. I know it's a really noob mistake to just jump right in, but given that I've only had a couple classes and the quality wasn't that great I'm not surprised these types of best practices were skipped over. It was just, "Does it compile? Does it complete the requirements?".

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2012, 02:34:10 PM »

BASIC

AcidLameLTE · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2012, 02:38:43 PM »

Assembly language is where it's at.

jag66 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:03:43 PM »

Quote from: AcidLameLTE on February 03, 2012, 02:38:43 PM

Assembly language is where it's at.

I prefer binary code myself, if you're going to go low level you may as well go to town

tjanuranus · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:04:45 PM »

seriously though itunesU is really awesome. They have full stanford courses on iOS development for free on there.

AcidLameLTE · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:30:31 PM »

Quote from: jag66 on February 03, 2012, 03:03:43 PM

Quote from: AcidLameLTE on February 03, 2012, 02:38:43 PM
Assembly language is where it's at.

I prefer binary code myself, if you're going to go low level you may as well go to town

Well, I've actually programmed in assembly...felt like killing myself every time.

Genowyn · « **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:54:06 AM »

Quote from: theseoafs on February 02, 2012, 09:30:26 AM

Quote from: orcus116 on February 02, 2012, 06:42:14 AM
Scheme

Fiery Winds · « **Reply #25 on:** February 09, 2012, 03:28:12 AM »

So I'm REALLY liking Java. I'm grasping the syntax very easily and getting my mind back into the groove of figuring out algorithms to solve problems. I'm considering moving towards Android development after finishing this CS106A course on iTunes.

What do you think would be a good next step? I was thinking of going through the guides and tutorials that Google has posted on Android Development, but I'm not sure if there is something else that would be beneficial before or during.

Vivace · « **Reply #26 on:** February 09, 2012, 04:57:52 AM »

Java is like C++ that holds your hand in everything you do. C++ is like jumping right into the guts of the car engine and molding it from the first scrap of metal to the finished product. It is an incredibly complicated language but it my standard choice in everything I do. You don't need to learn C to learn C++ and also knowing Java, it's not necessary but does help somewhat in learning C++. Basically take everything Java and now imagine you have full and total access to the objects you are using.

Have fun!

cookienut · « **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2012, 04:59:38 AM »

Im a Python fan. Super simple to get into and the community is massive for it.

If you're like me in GIS, Python kind of makes things you do somewhat limitless.

News: Untethered Angel official video: https://youtu.be/gylxuO6dKOw

Author Topic: What programming language should I learn? V. Java --> Android Development (Read 1613 times)