Re: Java or C++ College Path

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++.


It is more of a personal choice, really. C++ offers you the 'backwards
compatability' to C if you ever decide to work on a lower level (such
as embedded programming). Java gives you greater portability and
language features that better open you up to scripting language POV.
So pick your poison. You will eventually learn both.

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.


All languages have their initial bumps. Once you conquer one, however,
you will find they are easier and easier the more you learn.

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?


Languages aren't marketable. People are.
If you set yourself up to be as versitile as possible you will be more
in-demand than any person who knows a single language front to back.
My suggestion would be to learn one compiled language (C, C++, etc)
well, one scripting language (Ruby, Python, etc) well, both Windows and
a UNIX variant environment well. Once you have done that, you will be
well on your way to a job. Just figure out what you like to do best:
Sys Admin, Designer, Programmer, ...

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

Thanks for your input,
Will

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Static vs Dynamic
    ... (Java has too much noise in its source code, ... lot to ask and is typical in a typed language supporting polymorphism. ... > developers can easily learn the Java programming language; ... > obivous bugs slip through and b) in many cases, ...
    (comp.lang.lisp)
  • Re: why is "self" used in OO-Python?
    ... and worse this has spread from Java into other ... by whatever happens to be the first OO language they learn". ... If the first programming language (or the ... I have no objection to teaching Java in a CS curriculum. ...
    (comp.lang.python)
  • Re: Public disclosure of discovered vulnerabilities
    ... I spoke of Java; ... > necessary when programming in Java. ... > it is every single programmer who wants to use the language securely. ... this is what we call the "mental model" problem in aerospace. ...
    (sci.crypt)
  • Re: 71% Say Finding New Energy Sources More Important than Conservation
    ... Most of the drive to define was for a test programming language, because each tester had it's own language and the engineer would have to re-write the program every time the testor changed. ... The only reason it was used was because people saw that it would have a longer life time than ADA. ... My group at Stanford switched to Java as their language of choice after giving up on C++ as too flawed to use. ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Question on variable binding and assignment
    ... My Java for dummies book didn't tell me this stuff. ... Then for a dynamically typed language such as Perl, ... concept of "unbound variables" in a programming language in the first ...
    (comp.lang.lisp)