Java or C++?

ratedx7

As a sugestion dowload the Forte for Java IDE from sun.com. It is an excelent IDE studio supporting both Java and C++, and very important it is FREE.
For Java there are tons of very good tutorials around ( start at sun?s tutorials trails ) but no idea on C++. Somebodyelse could help you.
Best wishes.

Regards
Adri

If you want to be writing applications as soon as possible, Java is the better choice. In fact, if you learn Java first, you may find it frustrating to begin subsequently using C++.

But if you want to do system programming, then Java won't cut it; you'll need C/C++. And if you then go on to learn Java, knowledge of C/C++ will allow you to understand what's really happening under the hood of your Java progs.

In the end, I'm not sure it makes a whole lot of difference which you learn first. As long as you can open your mind to each language's essence and paradigms, you'll understand when to use each of them--and that's the real skill that you should aim for.

BTW, if you do delve into C++, be sure to check out the STL as well.

Java has the shortest initial learning curve. The syntax is a piece of cake. There are plenty of things to keep you interested as your skill advances.

Hi ratedx7!

I think you should dedicate time to both C and Java. C is the basis of Java, so you would understand Java structure more easily.

Also, you should take a look at Object Oriented Programming theory after you took over C. This will give you everything you need to rule the world with Java!

Besides, I have a ground-breaking Java resource for you:

1. The Java Tutorial
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/

2. The Tool
http://www.borland.com/jbuilder/personal/

3. The Book
http://www.mindview.net/Books
http://www.planetpdf.com/mainpage.asp?webpageid=314
http://www.planetpdf.com/mainpage.asp?webpageid=315

Bruce Eckel is a nice guy who whote both "Thinking in C++" and "Thinking in Java". The links above will take you to the FULL PDFs of both books.

CYA,

Ronaldo

C is 3GL, C++ and Java is 4GL

they are separate languages with a common syntax. If you are going to do a lot of webservices work or want to develop platform neutral applications pick JAVA.

If you are looking to do Application development start with C++. While both languages share grammar thats about it. Java is probably the easier of the two to pick up

Before you start learning Java or C++, I recoment you to learn the concept of programming and OOP.

The next step will be overall understand of database, preferably Oracle. Then you have to choose between these two languages.

How to choose one?

There are several facts invloved in choosing a language to start with, but my recomendation is to start with Java, because you will completely understand how to do OOP and how to design it.
Then you can move to more lower level language like C++. Considering the time you will invest on learning, you will find out that learning java is faster then C++ and a major assitance for understanding the concepts of Object Oriented Programming.

Arash Dorandish (JCP)
Senior Java Programmer

1. In a couple of years univeristy of washington will require java for cis degree, not C++.
2. sun has plan to use java for programming in everday household items. i.e. microwave, tv.

start small learn vb first(gui) then move to c++ or java(theylook the same to me).

Hi,
if you are really confused about which to start first you should know about the accounting environment of your place(country).
Yeah I emphasis on the capability of developing the software rather than internet bussiness activities.You have two choices from JAVA,if you like software development or internet business activities then JAVA can be helpful to you.

Take care...
Sat...

I'm not that experienced with Java or C/C++, in fact I'm just an amateur so don't take me too seriously. It really depends on what you want to do with Java or C/C++. If you are developing Internet applications and all that other web-based stuff I'd stick with Java, but if you are developing good ol' regular applications I'd use C/C++.

On Some Things-

Ease:
I think Java is easier to learn object oriented programming with. Most people I know agree, but that's hardly a scientific poll! It's just opinion.

Purpose:
Are you just wanting to learn some programming languages or isthere a specific reason to try to learn one of these two?

Systems programming has traditionally been done in C++, as well as application pieces(objects or processes)that need to perform well(run fast).

Java is used for a variety of things, including data transformation between platforms, programs that need to run on more than one or two platforms, and web/internet apps.

Market:
What's the market like in your area for these skills? If you're just wanting to learn one of the languages for yourself then it doesn't matter. Neither language skill is advertised much in my metropolitan area, although there are typically more ads for C++ than Java. Most businesses here have a pretty homogeneous environment, whether it's an AS400 with terminals and workstations(there was a pretty big IBM office here, so ALOT of AS400s got sold, and they're still out there, running apps written in RPG and/or COBOL), Unix server(s) with workstations and terminals, or Windows or Netware server(s) with workstations.

What kind of resources are you planning to use? There are several universities and colleges where I live that teach a variety of topics during the day,evenings and weekends, so class availibility isn't an issue if I want to take a class, but it might be for you. If you don't have a handy library or bookstore, do you mind buying online and waiting for books to arrive?

These are just some things to think about that don't have anything to do with the "Java's better","C++ is better" debate.

Either of these languages are excellent choices because they both allow object-oriented design. Objects are reusable units of code and data. You can use objects written by others to simplify your coding.

My personal opinion is that Java is abetter language and platform, but thats not the point. In your journey to become a better programmer, you'll ultimately write in several languages. And this means you won't use the same tool for every job, so understanding the language is crucial.

If you're looking for an education plan, here's what I suggest:
1. Pick a language and go with it. Don't swap languages mid-stream. There is always time to learn another language, and you'll be surprised how many techniques are identical from one language to the next.

2. Dedicate a certain amount of time every day or week to your education. Turn off the TV and study.

3. Learn the concepts of a language, not the tool you're using. You'll have to understand the tool to get yourwork done, but don't rely on it to write all your code. Try coding with a basic editor (like vi or notepad) instead of using the tool.

4. Seek education. Take classes, read books, or browse training websites. Your employer might reimburse themoney you spend on these

5. Make a little progress every day. In a years time, you'll be surprised how much you've learned.

Hope this helps you. I wish somebody had been around to tell me these things years ago when I started programming.

I couldn't let this comment pass.

Python is definitely *not* a case of "OO kind of
strapped" on. To the contrary, Python was built
from the beginning as an object-oriented
language. I have extensive experience with
Smalltalk and consider myself an "object
thinker" and I can tell you unequivocally that
Python is a first-class OO language.

"Take the whole python namespaces t
hing...ugh" seems like a bizarre comment, at
least in this context. Namespaces were
pratically *invented* in Smalltalk, where their
purpose is to allow the easy and graceful use
of object features across clases and modules
without people stomping on each other. To
characterize them as ugly is to suggest a lack
of familarity with some basic, well-founded
OO thinking.

i would *definitely* recommend Python as a
first OO language.