Confused as to what to do about learning languages

2010-09-27 10:18:14

#1

henno13: A generally unremarkable member; +230|6563|Belfast

I started programming during the summer with Visual Basic .NET since I was starting Computing/Computer Science at school this year. I thought that we were going to be doing mostly Visual Basic 6 in school, but it turns out all we will be doing is Pascal.

I don't know what I should do. I have had several recommendations. My best friend told me to skip VB and move straight on to C. However, my dad told me at first to concentrate on Visual Basic then move on to C and C++, but he has since told me to forget about everything and concentrate on Pascal for school. But I am almost certain that if I learn another language or two now, it will help me a lot when I get to University, where I hope to study Computer Science.

So, programmers of BF2s, I ask you. What route should I take?

2010-09-27 11:03:07

#2

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|6986|PNW

The type of language you want to learn depends on what you want to program with it. I'd set your search parameters on something related to your goals (best programming language for games 2010).

I'd say the way to go is to, in roughly this order, get comfortable with: HTML->Java->Visual Basic->C++. For supplements, I suggest actual books (carefully scan through some Amazon reviews for relevant input), but those with online resources. Other people may suggest different routes. If you're going to stick with the Pascal course, get comfortable with that before moving onto C++.

Also, Pascal's old, but don't let people knock it. There's still companies who don't want to make the change from Pascal or COBOL, which means there's still a demand for a shrinking number of those programmers. And if you know both Pascal and C++, you could help companies who've finally decided to make the transition.

And from your deleted thread:

burnzz wrote:
learning any programming language teaches you how to learn a programming language. they are different, but the method of learning is important. good luck, i've stayed with the hardware side of IT because i didn't have access to programming in school.

2010-09-27 11:12:18

#3

Lucien: Fantasma Parastasie; +1,451|6868

learn prolog

be

2010-09-27 11:31:57

#4

NooBesT: Pizzahitler; +873|6683

2010-09-27 11:52:16

#5

theDude5B: Cool member; +804|6965

Personally, coming from a vb script background and then moving into vb.net web/windows application development, I would suggest that you learn C# and use that as your language within the .NET framework.

Nothing wrong with vb.net, but the trend now with employers and the jobs that are out there for developers (.NET developers) is towards C#.

Also, I would say that the .NET Framework is probably the best to go for as there are many areas which you can specialise in and make a career out of it.

C# ASP.NET MVC3 Razor ftw!!!

2010-09-27 12:59:48

#6

Camm: Feeding the Cats.; +761|5183|Dundee, Scotland.

I'm learning C++ at college atm. I haven't dabbled in any other languages, but my lecturer says that C++ is the most mainstream in the industry.

for a fatty you're a serious intellectual lightweight.

2010-09-28 00:32:34

#7

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|6986|PNW

And if you want to be a badass, master APL2. O.o

2010-09-28 01:13:08

#8

rdx-fx: ...; +955|6806

Download the 1972 Unix source code, compiled into a PDP-11 disc image, then run it on a PDP-11 emulator.
http://code.google.com/p/unix-jun72/

Read John Lions - Commentary on the Sixth Edition UNIX Operating System and Unix V6 Source

Then read The C Programming Language - Brian Kernighan and Dennis Ritchie

It'll make you a goddamn sexual tyrannosaurus... grow hair on your palms and eyes!

Seriously, it depends on where you want to be coding.
Low level device drivers, operating system components, etc - Assembly and C, with a bit of C++ thrown in for good measure
Generic modern applications - C++, VB, C#, or whatever crap they're stuffing into Visual Studio this decade
Web development - ask someone else. tons of languages to choose from.

2010-09-29 20:49:22

#9

HaiBai: Your thoughts, insights, and musings on this matter intrigue me; +304|5698|Bolingbrook, Illinois

well this was my route: autoit at 12, C++ at 14, starting to really get comfortable with ASM at 16

i plan to be a reverse engineer or something of the sort, and its working for me

2010-09-29 21:54:32

#10

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|6986|PNW

I got my real start in MS-DOS QBASIC when I realized writing BAT's wasn't 1337. Now I'm going to have to set up a database where I have to import old grimy notes and papers.

2010-09-30 04:28:58

#11

jsnipy: ...; +3,276|6737|...

Like dude said if you are going to stick with the .net framework use c#, then jumping back and forth to java is much easier.

Whatever programming language you choose, learn sql.

Also, see what people are actually hiring for.

2010-09-30 19:57:10

#12

HaiBai: Your thoughts, insights, and musings on this matter intrigue me; +304|5698|Bolingbrook, Illinois

why SQL?

i know a bit of it, but no where near enough to have mastered sql

2010-10-01 20:13:50

#13

csmag: Member; +92|6661|Canada

HaiBai wrote:
why SQL?

i know a bit of it, but no where near enough to have mastered sql

lotsa money in databases.

2010-10-01 20:15:11

#14

13urnzz: Banned; +5,830|6712

csmag wrote:
HaiBai wrote:
why SQL?

i know a bit of it, but no where near enough to have mastered sql
lotsa money in databases.

fuck yeah. you hammer them hard enough, they drop coins like a coke machine . . .

2010-10-01 20:16:14

#15

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6367|what

SQL + VB.net would be a good combination.

Web databases have a lot of earning potential.

2010-10-01 20:40:20

#16

unnamednewbie13: Moderator; +2,053|6986|PNW

AussieReaper wrote:
SQL + VB.net would be a good combination.

Web databases have a lot of earning potential.

Seconded (specifically SQL). If you don't care that what you do is going to be REALLY boring.

2010-10-01 23:41:47

#17

rdx-fx: ...; +955|6806

unnamednewbie13 wrote:
If you don't care that what you do is going to be REALLY boring.

It's work.

You can be poor, but work at a job you love
-or-
You can be financially secure, working at a job that's okay
(You like the career field, but you're stuck doing other people's projects rather than your own ideas)
-or-
You can be making mad money, working at a job you had to sell your soul to get into.

Do what you like for work, do what you love for a hobby.
If you're just that damn good at the hobby you love, you can pull a Neo, break the system, and make mad money at what you love.
But you have to be damn good, damn lucky, and damn driven to do this. If you have to ask, then no, you're not The One.

Nothing will destroy your desire to live quicker than trying to do the job you're passionate about, but being stuck on projects run by a disinterested middle manager. (hint: that manager picked option #3: sell soul for a corner office and McMansion)

2010-10-01 23:55:49

#18

Harmor: Error_Name_Not_Found; +605|6763|San Diego, CA, USA

Option #4 is to start your own company. Start by freelancing until you get enough clientele until you can nearly replace your income. If you're good at what you do then you'll be able to carve a niche out to make a good living.

Worst would be you would only make a few extra bucks on top of Options #1-3 above.

Good luck.

2010-10-02 00:11:52

#19

rdx-fx: ...; +955|6806

Harmor wrote:
Option #4 is to start your own company. Start by freelancing until you get enough clientele until you can nearly replace your income. If you're good at what you do then you'll be able to carve a niche out to make a good living.

Worst would be you would only make a few extra bucks on top of Options #1-3 above.

Good luck.

Essentially the same as my option #4. But freelancing without at least 5-10 years in the field ends up being an expensive self-education. Better to get those 5-10 years of professional training as an employee of someone else's company. Let them pay for your mistakes, missteps, and learning curve - then go out on your own once you know the business (and the major suppliers and customers in that field...)

2010-10-02 00:41:27

#20

Harmor: Error_Name_Not_Found; +605|6763|San Diego, CA, USA

You can start small by freelancing at http://www.getacoder.com and then later on at http://www.elancer.com. Start small and teach yourself what you don't know. Challenge yourself. See what's in demand.

But now-a-days you have to be a self-starter. Get involved in open-sourced projects. Take advantage of free seminars. Read vociferously.

The thing about this field is that its always changing. What you knew 2-3 years ago is probably already out-of-date.

What rdx-fx said with his three options is very true.

One thing I'll add is that don't think your employer or co-workers will be loyal to you or thinking what is in your best interest. Basically don't be naive (that trait seems to be popular in programmers).

Last edited by Harmor (2010-10-02 00:43:04)

2010-10-02 21:43:57

#21

HaiBai: Your thoughts, insights, and musings on this matter intrigue me; +304|5698|Bolingbrook, Illinois

csmag wrote:
HaiBai wrote:
why SQL?

i know a bit of it, but no where near enough to have mastered sql
lotsa money in databases.

im curious; how much money is in the field of reverse engineering?

2010-10-02 21:57:21

#22

jsnipy: ...; +3,276|6737|...

HaiBai wrote:
csmag wrote:
HaiBai wrote:
why SQL?

i know a bit of it, but no where near enough to have mastered sql
lotsa money in databases.
im curious; how much money is in the field of reverse engineering?

Go look on dice or monster for a job in the field of 'reverse engineering'. I've never seen that as a professional path.

HaiBai wrote:
why SQL?

i know a bit of it, but no where near enough to have mastered sql

Because you will almost always be encountering a database at some point and time. Understanding it is invaluable.

2010-10-03 21:37:33

#23

HaiBai: Your thoughts, insights, and musings on this matter intrigue me; +304|5698|Bolingbrook, Illinois

jsnipy wrote:
HaiBai wrote:
csmag wrote:

lotsa money in databases.
im curious; how much money is in the field of reverse engineering?
Go look on dice or monster for a job in the field of 'reverse engineering'. I've never seen that as a professional path.

HaiBai wrote:
why SQL?

i know a bit of it, but no where near enough to have mastered sql
Because you will almost always be encountering a database at some point and time. Understanding it is invaluable.

dont anti virus companies need these people to debug viruses and find out how they work? along with punkbuster and vac and all of those? not to mention all the companies who want to find out how their rival company's software works. theres also penetration testing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penetration_test

BF2S Forums Confused as to what to do about learning languages

burnzz wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

csmag wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

AussieReaper wrote:

unnamednewbie13 wrote:

Harmor wrote:

csmag wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

csmag wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

jsnipy wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

csmag wrote:

HaiBai wrote:

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