What programming language do you use?

[Padma]

I agree with you, completely, bobgote. Java is good to know, and will probably prove more all-around useful to know, than most other languages. C/C++ is good if you have to have the speed it allows, but most apps are not so real-time critical. Very rarely does a program *need* to have the fancy stuff, like dynamic memory trees. (Besides, Java is a "garbage-collecting" language - you don't need to manage your own memory - it does it for you, unlike C/C++, where managing your own memory is a must. )

Originally posted by bobgote
EDIT: I've also heard that C# is a cheap java knock-off. I don't know how widely used it is...

C# is Micro$oft's answer to Sun objecting to their "embracing and extending" Java. It is used almost solely by M$-slaves who can't/won't use Java.

 

[bobgote]

Originally posted by Padma
I agree with you, completely, bobgote. Java is good to know, and will probably prove more all-around useful to know, than most other languages. C/C++ is good if you have to have the speed it allows, but most apps are not so real-time critical. Very rarely does a program *need* to have the fancy stuff, like dynamic memory trees. (Besides, Java is a "garbage-collecting" language - you don't need to manage your own memory - it does it for you, unlike C/C++, where managing your own memory is a must. )

yeah, not usually necessary to have the extra performance of C++, but it is handy. and java's garbage collection is an excellent reason to vote java .

C# is Micro$oft's answer to Sun objecting to their "embracing and extending" Java. It is used almost solely by M$-slaves who can't/won't use Java.

thought as much. I've never met anyone who is a M$-slave tho. most of the people i've interacted with go for the free stuff every time. (Uni and the Defence Dept are tightarses ). Tho i have just started using LaTeX for word processing (was forced to), and I love it

What do you think of Ada? I've just started learning it now for my Real-Time Programming class. I haven't really sat down to work it out properly yet so haven't got the hang of it just yet.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

Calling C# a java knock off is like calling Java a C++ knock off. They all have their differences everyone thinks is critical but none of them are as revolutionary as they are hyped up to be. The whole garbage collection thing is one of the reasons I don't use Java as much as C++. Granted it would allow me to be a lazy programmer which I must admit is nice but thats also something you might want to controll yourself. So for smaller less complex applications Java would be better but that also makes VB an option.

 

[Gojira54]

While I might agree C# is a partial Java knock-off, it does have quite a bit of unique stuff. It is still not used too heavily yet, but MANY companies are switching to it - including mine. For the most part I like it but I have a few beefs with it and the whole .NET thing in general.

But life moves on, programming languages evolve, and clinging to a dying language like VFP just ensures your career will die with it. C# is a glimpse of the future - having that in your skill set can't hurt.

 

[Melifluous]

Ah fear me for lo it is in COBOL that I program.

Still in use in over 80% of business code and with a prgramming population that is dropping by 13% a year, I think I might have this one sewn up.

However at the current rate (and the fact that I'm only 28) might lead to the rather odd chance that I maybe maintaining the worlds code one day!

Who needs more than 16 colours anyway

Melifluous

 

[Cathy]

I can help you do COBOL! Nice to know I'm not the only one.

 

[Achinz]

Really interesting to hear that COBOL is still so relevant today. It seems the niches filled by it and Fortran (now incarnation 95 or later) are special and enduring.

 

[Cathy]

I wouldn't call 80 % of business code a 'niche'.
The main reason you don't hear too much about it is that most of it sits in some mainframe computer, quietly doing it's thing, unnoticed by the public.

 

[Dell19]

Using and learning Java at the moment because thats what most of the programming modules use. I've also used C recently and VBA before...

 

[ainwood]

Originally posted by Padma
Powerbuilder ( ).

Hee hee... Our entire production allocation system is in-house built in powerbuilder. When I had zero programming experience I was given the source code listing and asked to provide input to fix problems. I actually found it reasonably easy to 'read'.

Originally posted by Blackhalo15
Learning Visual Basic right now. Would like to learn all the C's and Java, simply because I was told to. Correct me if I was misled, but I was told to start out with VB, because it is very easy to learn, then C,C#, and C++, or whatever they all are, because they are the most versatile programming languages there are, and then Java, just because I was told that every good programmer SHOULD know Java

Visual basic is easy to learn for a couple of reasons: Its very forgiving (cleans-up its own memory, doesn't require variable declarations), it is embedded in MS Office, so you can record macros and see what the code does.

I would suggest that you learn the basics 'properly' though -> for example, ALWAYS declare your variables etc.

 

[damunzy]

Here are 2 good and FREE IDEs for programmers.

First is Dev-C++. Make sure you download version 4.9.8.0 and then patch it with 4.9.8.7. Dev-C++ is good for C/C++.

Second is Eclipse. Download page for 2.1.3 or the latest beta 3.0M7 on this page . Eclipse is good for Java and more with additional plugins.

Hope this helps.

 

[Achinz]

Originally posted by Cathy
I wouldn't call 80 % of business code a 'niche'..

So what's a niche?

 

[bobgote]

COBOL is always there, so there'll be a steady supply of business. plus, don't you get paid stacks cos hardly anyone learns it?

 

[Melifluous]

Originally posted by bobgote
COBOL is always there, so there'll be a steady supply of business. plus, don't you get paid stacks cos hardly anyone learns it?

Melifluous

 

[LordKestrel]

TCL baby. Nothing like some quick and easy TCL scripts. Of course, the usual C/perl/sh will work, but there is something fun about TCL that makes me enjoy it

 

[Cathy]

Originally posted by Achinz

Originally posted by Cathy
I wouldn't call 80 % of business code a 'niche'.

So what's a niche?

A niche to me is some small, specialised area. IMHO, 80 % is just too much to fit into the word.

 

[yaroslav]

TCL is good for scripting and for including a language into your application but for general programming.

 

[Achinz]

Originally posted by Cathy
A niche to me is some small, specialised area. IMHO, 80 % is just too much to fit into the word.

Although a business app is a specialised area.

OK, I'll reword the original comment:

"It's heartening to note that both COBOL and Fortran have thrived over all these years in their respective areas of specialised application".

 

[Vancouver 2010]

What I use:

For Windows: VB

For Linux: C++ or Perl

For Web Pages: PHP/MySQL

I mainly do PHP/MySQL programming than Windows or Linux programming.

 

[bobgote]

Originally posted by Cathy

So what's a niche?

A niche to me is some small, specialised area. IMHO, 80 % is just too much to fit into the word.

but COBOL programmers are a niche field

maybe i should learn it. how nasty is it? I have some experience with assembly, enough to know that i hate it