[2004] Which programming language should I learn?

PHP, ASP, C++, etc

Which would be the best for me to learn? Most usable? most flexible? Which will be the most needed in the near future?

Thank you for your input.

 

What do you want to do?

Web based? Web sites, software, desktop applications? Database programming, mobile technology?

 

Most likely web-based to some degree since that has a lot to do with the future. This would include databases.

I wouldn't mind making desktop applications or software to sell.

That is why I ask which one may be most flexible, etc...

 

PHP with databases gets you up to intermediate/pretty high tech level in no time. I was impressed myself with how quick I got to do pretty nifty stuff with just the PHP Bible and php.net and some sites' communities.

I don't know about PHP's desktop application suitability but since it all seems to go XML DOM etc. nowadays PHP should be able to handle all of that and if not, at least glue well with those that do.

PHP + MySQL would be my recommendation then indeed.

 

None of those listed. Learn C. If you know C you know PHP, Perl & C++ by default.

// umm, i forgot Shawns real choice... shell programming... youll know that too! :]
// one more note - your new avatar rocks!

 

I don't know but am assumming C++ is C but more ??

I wish my bus looked as nice as the one in my avatar, but mine needs more work and right now I am broke and may even have to sell her. 1958 VW BUS for photos, I do have the motor back in and it is 12 volt now and I drive it daily except now the rain is coming and I still have a 6 volt wiper motor (not hooked up)

 

PERL babay!

 

C++ is similar to C, but C can't be object oriented (C++ can be)

 

Thank you debunked for starting this thread. I was asking myself the same question, so if you don't mind, I'll steal you survey results and follow the group's advice.

So as soon as i'll have nothing better to do of my Saturday to spend it rebuilding my machine as Win2k + Linux, I'll get to it.

 

I would go with php and mySQL on the web. If you have the money to support your hobby, you could take up ASP though.

The thing with PHP is that there is a lot of good source code already written for you and to learn from. It is truly an Open environment with lots of support.

 

thanks for the input, I don't mind if more people chime in or add to the pros and cons.

I will problably crack open a book on the one that seems to have the best future and usability.

Also, yes still the results - hope your weekends don't get to boring. lOL

 

Don't attempt PERL unless you like headaches or are really, really geeky.

PHP and C can almost be learned together since there is so much in common between the two, especially in syntax.

There is a good book called The C Programming Language, which is basically the procedural (read: c) programming bible. It's easy to read, has lots of good exercises and has a good style.

Learning PHP once you know the basics of C is easy, just make sure to have the php manual handy and you'll be fine. There is also a searchable, indexed extended windows help formatted php manual which I use almost whenever I am deep in code available here.

Do you know any programming at all (even BASIC) or are you starting from scratch? The reason I ask is that if you know even just the basic constructs of programming (variable, funcitons, loops, conditions) then switching languages is not too hard. As long as you stay away from PERL. *ducks as shoe files overhead*

 

Like several people have said, I would start with C or C++ (you pick), learn the basic syntax, play around with some basic progs. After this, you can pick up php with about a 50% discount because of syntax similarities. Just dive in and get started. If you don't know anything about programming, I will be hard at the beginning and small things will be a great hinderance, but if you can weather the start you'll be fine. It gets easier with time.
-d-

 

I learned basic back on commodores vic20 if you ever seen one of those?? I sound old now but I was only about 12 then. I haven't learned html as far as sitting there and typing out a page, but I can read it and understand almost anything and it doesn't take long to 'reverse engineer' html.
Basically I feel I can learn any language fairly quickly and thoroughly if needed. I just keep getting frustrated with software that is limited one way or another and mostly web based type programs or databases for e-commerce, etc...

Maybe I want to build the next search engine and take over the world..... ha ha ha

- ouch don't pinch me..

 

I'd vote for Perl because it is so incredibly versatile, and it has a very elegant object concept. And it allows solving simple problems in a easy manner, whilst allowing to tackle more complicated constructs as well. A beginner can use a subset of the available vocabulary and be efficient rather quickly.

 

I also program in PHP but I prefer ASP/ASP.NET -- It is the future

C is obselete you dont have to learn it if you have no plans to join middle level programming job. You can jump to JAVA, PHP or C# instead

 

Java is not a bad choice, since OOP is not going away any time soon. And with all the classes out there, once you learn the basics, you can plug in just about anything and not reinvent the wheel.

PHP is similar in that it can either be OOP (Object Oriented Programming) or procedural, and there are tons of classes (Code components to add functionality) available for free out there - see http://www.phpclasses.org

 

Agreed... I think that the most comfortable and more flexible language for programming web is Perl with Apache server and MYSQL database.... Actualy it is the most popular around the world