Except for Windows desktops, C# is used virtually nowhere else. Absolutely false. More developers use anything but asp.net. It also has the bad reputation of producing poor markup or being behind in modern standards and practices.
I agree that except for windows desktops, C# is used virtually nowhere else. But as of February 2011 reports, and I have taken the least number, windows is still used in 89.7% of desktops. I think that is a good number. Regarding ASP.net, that's an interesting point that you made that developers use anything but asp.net. But i could not find that news on google from any reliable statistics company. All i could get was while in the overall web market in terms of websites share, ASP.net is around 24% and in the enterprise market or fortune 1000 companies list, ASP.net was the most preferred. Please note, I am not arguing with you. Just wanted to know the facts so that I can get details correct, and being a developer want to be where there is demand.
If you would like to learn PHP + MySQL for server side, Javescript + CSS client side. I wish to learn them but unfortunately it's not possible in my country as well.
Poppycock! You only need a couple of books. While classes are very beneficial, especially understanding concepts like OOP, a good few books can be just as good if you have the dedication.
To be honest, the best language to learn as a first, as an introductory is something like Python or Ruby. You can create nifty little programs to more concise ones with a stable library and easy for the eyes. Then I would suggest if you want to go lower level and keep the control of the efficiency of the program in your hands, C hands down.
Why C over C++? Surely no one uses pure C these days other than OS developers and and the sort. I think OOP is very important.
C, being very simple without OOP, is easier to learn. Once you are familiar with the concepts of programming in C, you can learn C++ or any other preferred language, and now a days most of them contain OOPS
Agree. And anything C++ can do, C can also do. The short time I spent learning C++, I kept complaining about the things I could do without needing C++. And the same could be said of any language. My company does everything in C. If we have to use something else, we hire a freelancer. Because the code is often so similar between C, Python, PHP, and on and on, we find it much simpler to just stick with what we're good at rather than spread things around and dilute what we know. With C, we can do anything and everything directly. That can't be said of any other language except assembly. And, for the web, it's more secure. A cracker is going to be looking for scripts to mess with and won't expect binary code which is far more difficult to play with. That said, people read on the internet that you have to use PHP or Java or C# and so on so, if you don't, they look at you funny and you won't get the job. Fortunately, we manage our client's web sites and don't have to answer to anyone else. Well, except for two of them, but they agree with out philosophy and use C themselves.
You should go for C and C++ as these are the basic languages and once after learning these languages you can learn any of the computer language easily.
I would recommend learning PHP and mysql aswell. From what I read they are the easiest programming languages to learn. My entire website is created using this type of programming. Hope your learning goes well
Oh? Why is that? So you don't know? It's just what you read about? Wait a minute! You just said you only read about PHP but now you're saying your web site is made in it? Typical DP post.
That's very interesting. I'd love to have a go at server-side programming in C/C++. When you say you can program directly, can you give me an example? PHP, for example, relies on a virtual machine, so a lot is hidden. Do you have anything to ease managing protocols like application protocols? That is, assuming you don't bother with the intrinsics of TCP? I know I wouldn't for websites. It all comes back to business requirements again. It would be time inefficient for me to use lower level languages for web development until the need arises; of course you have the particular tools for your clientèle.
learn c++ complete also with the concepts of data structure and the object oriented programming. after this you will transfer into other languages with in one week in any other language.
I've been wanting to learn C# for a long time now so I'm finally doing it. It's syntax resembles both Java and C++ and since I like the syntax of both those languages I feel right at home with C#. C# is probably the best choice for me personally since I just write stuff for myself as a hobbyist. I can make console apps and windows apps and it doesn't look tremendously complicated. It seems as though Microsoft kinda made the language easier and it's elegant and clear. I like C++ a lot but the main problem is that from what my research has led me to believe is that it's hard to write Windows applications in it. Console apps aren't too hard but when you try to make Windows apps it's like stepping into the Grand Canyon. And there seems to be an absence of books that show a beginner how to do it. Simply not a RAD tool. Java is cool but you gotta do a lot of typing. Very verbose. And it seems like getting console input is still not as easy as it is in C++ or C#.