Re: Java or C++ College Path

Okay the fact that they are asking you to pick between languages show
that the program is a hack looking to capitalize on hype instead of
teaching computer science. It is true that C++ and Java have different
advantages but my advice is to learn both. If you are just looking to
get a quick job then Java might be good because it seems to be the most
popular language in industry right now, but it isn't all that different
from C++. Both languages have good communities to ask questions and
figure things out, I would say look at the classes that are offered
that differ and pick on which program has classes that seems to
interest you the most. And learn both languages so that you can switch
back and forth as you want.

With that said there is a lot more to computer science than
programming. You want to learn the skills that will allow you to take
any language and know how to use it quickly. Who knows how long Java
or C++ will be relevant to the typical programmer. I think I read that
there are some 25,000 programming languages out there, nobody can know
them all but a good computer scientist should be able to pick up what
she needs and be ready to program with it.



bugnthecode wrote:
I've decided on a Comp Science Programming major in college, and at the
community college I go to you must pick a language concentration. The 3
options are Visual Basic, Java, or C++. To me, Visual Basic doesn't
seem the way to go, (though I've never done any actual programming in
it) so I'm trying to decide between Java and C++.

I've done some programming in both languages. I've probably gone a
little further int the java programming, but lately I've been learning
C++ to develop an app that can interface more easily to my hardware
(serial port com. and driver interfacing). So far I really don't have a
preference to which language, they both seem to have their headaches.

I know that each language is better used for it's intended purpose
(choosing the right tool for the job). But I think this decision comes
down to programmer marketability. Which language will be more
marketable?

So what's your take? Which concentration would you recommend and why?

Thanks for your input,
Will

.

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