Re: Which language would be most helpful?

I am suprised that Java is not an option. C++ is definitely very popular, although lately some developers have been using Java instead. C++ still has its niche eg: developing for handhelds, system level programming, writing ISAPI/NSAPI filters, Activex controls and so on. VB is for user interface development, although you can develop back-end components in it if you really wanted to (they tend to be a little slower than C++).

As far as VB is concerned, it depends on whether it is VB 6.0 or VB.NET. .NET is very similar to Java and is much easier to learn than C++. You will be tied to M$ platforms and be careful that you don't get seduced by their slick marketing brainwashing while using their products. VB 6.0 is not bad. It lacks certain OO features ie. it only has inheritance of interface and no implementation inheritance. (Java does both of the above, C++ only has the later).

One other point to note is a non-technical one. There will always be a whole lot more VB "developers" around. Especially, ppl who just did a 2 week course from some shady tech. training institute. Learning C++ takes much more effort, so you will have a little less competition when applying for C++ jobs.(Same institutes as above also offer "Unix with C++" courses but it is much easier to spot people who "graduate" in that.

Just for fun see Favourite Languages on Slashdot. However, don't take the poll results too seriously.

Just a tongue-tied, twisted, earth-bound misfit. -- Pink Floyd

Comment on Re: Which language would be most helpful?

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Re: Re: Which language would be most helpful? by tall_man (Parson) on Feb 02, 2003 at 17:37 UTC
...it only has inheritance of interface and no implementation inheritance. (Java does both of the above, C++ only has the later). C++ supports implementation inheritance if you use pure virtual base classes (which is a good thing to do, by the way). Another way that C++ can do something like implementation inheritance is via generic programming (templates), which Java has yet to support. I recommend C++ because it is multi-paradigm. It can be used for procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming... just like perl.	[reply]

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Re: Re: Which language would be most helpful?
by tall_man (Parson) on Feb 02, 2003 at 17:37 UTC

...it only has inheritance of interface and no implementation inheritance. (Java does both of the above, C++ only has the later).

C++ supports implementation inheritance if you use pure virtual base classes (which is a good thing to do, by the way). Another way that C++ can do something like implementation inheritance is via generic programming (templates), which Java has yet to support.

I recommend C++ because it is multi-paradigm. It can be used for procedural, object-oriented, and generic programming... just like perl.

[reply]