which programming language to learn?

[oktapus]

In my current job I research, recommend, and document standards around our company's web design, HTML (and some client side) coding. I'd like to expand my skillset to programming (never had to do it).

In the past I dug into books on Perl, Unix shell scripting, C and Java. After the 'into to' chapters I'd give up, found the syntax too daunting, the problems to solve too difficult to understand. But not one to give up easily I re-visited books and would get a bit farther.

Recently I hooked up with a web developer at work and he's been showing me some stuff. I got enough confidence to take a Java course at University. Problem is it's for experienced programmers from other languages (C, Cobol, etc) so after the 1/2 way point I've been really struggling. Funny thing though, I started looking at a newer language called Ruby and found I actually understand OO concepts and coding that I had trouble with in Java. After only reading a few chapters of the Ruby book (online) I'm coding programs that took me weeks to understand in Java.

What I'm getting at here is, based on what you developers and programmers see in the workforce, should I focus on Ruby or should I suffer with Java and learn that instead? I'd like to stick with a language that is fully OO. I've heard of others like Python, Smalltalk and Eiffel. Thanks.

[Captain Nuss]

First, I have to mention that I don't work in the IT sector. In fact, I still go to school... But anyway, I think Java would be the right thing to learn. If you already understand OO concepts, the step to Java is quite small and as Java is a very commonly used language you'll find many people to help you when you have any problems.

When I started learning Java I bought a book about it. After reading a few chapters I realized that I didn't understand a thing. The problem was that it didn't explain the concept behind Java, object orientation.

You obviously know that concept and the only thing you still have to learn is the Java language itself as well as the Java API that ships with the SDK.

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You can contact me directly at Christoph.Schulze@gmx.co.uk
Don't forget your parsley cause you can't eat your dog after having stolen him from some animal shelter and having drowned him in the Atlantic Ocean.

[oktapus]

Thanks for the encouragement. After giving up so many times on programming I find I'm finally 'getting it'. And now I realize what it was; it's not so much that OO concepts and programming are hard (ok, some types of programming are very hard), it's all the terminology it's wrapped up in that throws new people off. I get the concepts now, and actually had them before, I just couldn't tell you what I knew because I didn't understand what words they represented (like polymorphism). I have to say though that I prefer an interpreted language to play with (like Ruby, Python, etc) than Java, which I feel is very tedious and has to be designed up front, more for big applications.

[Manish Malik]

Hi,

I'd suggest that you keep up with Java and try to grasp it as much as you can (well..theoretically, you can grasp it all...but keep care of your current job and how much timeyou can devote..).

Once you are familiar with most Java constructs and concepts, it'd be quite easy (and I mean it...EASY) to learn other languages. The same applies for other paths also.

For example, if someone is familiar with C++, its quite easy to grasp Java concepts.
If someone is familiar with Java, its quite easy to grasp C# concepts. Infact, most of the syntax is same for Java and C#.

And last, but not the least, is tip to do it comfortably: Spend as much time as you can to try out Java programs on a machine - there's nothing compared to this excercise. Try out running pre-written programs if you want - and then understand the source and modify it yourself to create a new program. Play around with your learnt skills in Java. It'll help in long run.

:-)

Good Luck!


Manish
http://www.manishmalik.com