Hi, I am a almost thirtysomething, going back to school at night while working full time. I decided that it was time to get an education to enable me to break out of the Cable industry and into the programming scene. I am interested in Computer Science and web programming(maybe). So I am asking for some advice from you younsters out there.

This Winter semester I am taking Intro C++ because last semester I took an intro Comp Science course that had some basic programming using C++ in it. I enjoyed the programming aspect of the class very much, which is why I decided to persue programming.

So over the last couple weeks I discovered VB.NET and have been learning it with the assistance of some good books. Now I can see the power in the .NET framework, but I still see C++ and the industry standard I guess. Now as someone learning their first language, what should I focus on: C++ or VB.NET? or both?

I know programming isn't language exclusive, that you start with an algorithm and logic, then port it to a language. What do the Gods of programming sugest? Where is the industry going. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks
Josh

I suggest starting with the happy medium - C#. C# brings most of the VB.NET ease, with Java (Java is based upon C++) and C styling. When applying for a job, a C# programmer is more likely to win a .NET job, and is more likely to get paid higher.

No matter what Microsoft does to the VB language, it will almost be exclusively known as a beginner language. I'm "fluent" in VB.NET, and used to use it as my main programming language. I know those people are wrong - but thats just its reputation.

I've enjoyed C# so much, that I regret having to code in VB.NET for some things. I've even ported most of my VB.NET code to C# (which isn't that hard) - yeah, it doesn't matter that its in VB.NET, but I just love C# so much that I wanted it in my favorite language.

Whatever route you take - stay close to the .NET Framework. The .NET Framework is so powerful, so feature complete, and is always being refined that so many things are going to be using it in the comming years. The next version of Windows, codenamed Longhorn, is being specifically designed with .NET in mind. .NET is going to be everywhere soon enough (even on Linux!).

<semi-advertisement>My CMS system, #Portal, runs on a huge IT News website, Bink.nu. #Portal uses many .NET core technologies, is written in C#. </semi-advertisement>

Feel free to ask any questions ya need ;-)

You'll have an easy time learning the basics of programming with C++ than any other language I believe. I don't know of at least one good programmer that hasn't had 1+ years of the language. Java is currently more popular than C# but C# is growing. Personally, C# was easy for me, after having nearly six years of C++ and two years of Java, but that's exactly what I'm talking about. If it wasn't for C++, I would've had a harder time learning the language. I don't know how much you know about C++ but if you feel comfortable, then I recommend you go to C#, because I also think it's a kickass language. As a bonus, I also recommend you to learn some XML/XLST, CSS, and XQUERY if you have time.

hey about python or qbasic? so ez things...

C++/.NET languages are more in demand, so I think he would benefit more from them.

I see around me .NET and .NET and .NET, so I think it would be wise to go .NET

Even if you don't like it.

Personally I am hooked on PHP and database backend powered by hardware. But then again, I am just a geek

Wow. I give you props for saying that, as you are a PHP guy.

I'm also hooked on PHP. I just wish it was accepted more by enterprises compared to .NET languages.

i propose that u learn C++ and java at the same time since these 2 languages will not die
anytime soon. try to focus on java if you can since the java online libraries are the best utility that any programmer can have. there is no need to worry about wether u work on
windows , unix , linux, mac os....java will work on any system. plus now java is being taken from server side to security and heavy crptography. as you may realize that i am a major java fan, but i dont roll out that flaws of java which is the runtime speed thats why learn C++ and mainly under the unix/linux systems.

from my experience i feel that once u feel comfortable with java and C++ and interchange them then jump into C# or VB or python, or any scripting language, i assure u that C++ and java is the way to go.

C# is not a scripting language. It is fully compiled. It works a lot like java, except that it runs much faster, and its easier to work with.

C# is an enterprise language - because it runs on the .NET Framework.

Java and C# are very much alike - but C# has many advantages over Java (with that said, there are a few good parts about Java, but that will go away soon).

C# runs on many platforms - including Linux. The Mono platform has done some great work with C# on Linux.