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Where to head with C++ programming?
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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First off.. I want to say that I cannot believe that it took me this long to find such a cool site that is so well put together and informative.
I am fairly n00bish to everthing PC with only a couple of years experience under my belt. I have taken classes on networking and have a couple of MCP's (but doesn't everyone?) I have been fascinated with programming,networking, and security - but they are all in thier own little world.. but so far I have invested more time and effort into C++ than anything else and I keep coming back. I currently work in a large government ran facility but the work is just not that interesting- nor does it pay that well (IT related) and the good jobs always seem to go to a buddy or someone with 8029384903 years experience.. I have a few books and have dl'd a couple of compilers. I guess this is where the n00b questions come in..
What is the most common, widely used software that is also in the real world? (as far as C,C++ or C# is concnerned). I enjoy all things computer - but I just have no sense of direction...maybe C++ or programming isn't right for me..
Any suggestions would be great.. TIA.
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I am fairly n00bish to everthing PC with only a couple of years experience under my belt. I have taken classes on networking and have a couple of MCP's (but doesn't everyone?) I have been fascinated with programming,networking, and security - but they are all in thier own little world.. but so far I have invested more time and effort into C++ than anything else and I keep coming back. I currently work in a large government ran facility but the work is just not that interesting- nor does it pay that well (IT related) and the good jobs always seem to go to a buddy or someone with 8029384903 years experience.. I have a few books and have dl'd a couple of compilers. I guess this is where the n00b questions come in..
What is the most common, widely used software that is also in the real world? (as far as C,C++ or C# is concnerned). I enjoy all things computer - but I just have no sense of direction...maybe C++ or programming isn't right for me..
Any suggestions would be great.. TIA.
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Hi. First of all, thank you so much for your comments about the site. I'm a bit confused what you mean by the most widely used software. Are you referring to development tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio .NET? Do you want to know which programming language to go with? Or what are some small programs you can start off writing?
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Join Date: May 2004
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the software that is eesential for hardcore c++ is Microsoft Visual C++. It would be hard to find a major programming firm or company without it. As for programming, its not for everyone, it gets really frustrating at times and is fairly monotonous. the choice of whether or not its for you, is one that only you can make!
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Originally Posted by freesoft_2000
Hi everyone,
why don't you have a look at my other response in the c++ section entitled c++ dying a slow death. On the most common languages i would recommend you to learn basic, C# and java(very good alternative to c++)
Yours Sincerely
Richard West
I don't think C++ will ever die completely, and I don't think Java will replace it, both language have their place and will be required even if it is just to maintain old applications, if C++ is the language you want to learn I recommend getting a couple of good books of the top of my head the best I have found are, Practical C++ Programming, published by O'Reilly and The C++ Programming Language, follow a few of the examples in the books, and then play, figure out something you would like to do and do it. Also if you are just beginning there is no need to drop hundreds of dollars on visual c++ I would recommended bloodshed dev-c++ for windows or even better g++ for unix environments.
HTH
Ben
Application development, webhosting, and much more: www.webcentric-hosting.com
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by cscgal
Hi. First of all, thank you so much for your comments about the site. I'm a bit confused what you mean by the most widely used software. Are you referring to development tools such as Microsoft Visual Studio .NET? Do you want to know which programming language to go with? Or what are some small programs you can start off writing?
.. when I said software I should have said "language".. kinda like the question you answered in the other thread that I was in..I have been reading and messing with C++ quite a bit lately.. I have made a few really simple programs - it seems like I have to read each section over and over to get the hang of it.. but so far so good. Right now the "if" statements are slowin' me down..
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Originally Posted by liliafan
I would recommend learning using a language that at least still has some use in real world environments, ie, perl, c, visual basic (if you must), pascal (although it is mostly dead, delphi as a better alternative).
I don't think C++ will ever die completely, and I don't think Java will replace it, both language have their place and will be required even if it is just to maintain old applications, if C++ is the language you want to learn I recommend getting a couple of good books of the top of my head the best I have found are, Practical C++ Programming, published by O'Reilly and The C++ Programming Language, follow a few of the examples in the books, and then play, figure out something you would like to do and do it. Also if you are just beginning there is no need to drop hundreds of dollars on visual c++ I would recommended bloodshed dev-c++ for windows or even better g++ for unix environments.
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Originally Posted by marceta
the software that is eesential for hardcore c++ is Microsoft Visual C++. It would be hard to find a major programming firm or company without it. As for programming, its not for everyone, it gets really frustrating at times and is fairly monotonous. the choice of whether or not its for you, is one that only you can make!
The reason I picked C++ in the first place is - it seemed every time I looked at IT jobs in the paper or online... they were wanting C++ experience... Then I started noticing VB... every time without fail.
Right now I have no experience with any language so it is hard for me to tell the difference betweens everyones bias or a legitimate reason on why to use or not to use a certain language... BUT that is the part I like.. I want to hear everyones opinions so that I know what to look for...
Sorry for the book.. and thanks for the help guys .. and girls

Brooks
The thing about programming is that it is 30% coding and 70% socializing with the person/group who wants something done. Think of a carpenter building a house. The tough part of the job is NOT deciding which hammer to use; its reading the blueprint. A good carpenter can see issues and discuss them with the owner/architect, and use the right tool for the job. The tool part comes with experience, and you can use the 'perfect' hammer or not, and with a good carpenter it doesn't matter; they can pick up almost any hammer and do a good job. They also know which hammer is 'right' for a job.
So, pick ANY language. You see ads for Visual Basic, so fine, use that. C++? use that. The language is the EASY PART. The hard part is figuring out what the customer needs and wants.
In my experience, customers have their preferred languages, and you adapt to them. The interesting/fun/hard part is figuring out what to DO with the language.
Remember, if you chose programming as a career, you can have FOURTY YEARS of doing it, so make it fun! Don't waste 2,000 hours a year on something that isn't fun.
So, pick ANY language. You see ads for Visual Basic, so fine, use that. C++? use that. The language is the EASY PART. The hard part is figuring out what the customer needs and wants.
In my experience, customers have their preferred languages, and you adapt to them. The interesting/fun/hard part is figuring out what to DO with the language.
Remember, if you chose programming as a career, you can have FOURTY YEARS of doing it, so make it fun! Don't waste 2,000 hours a year on something that isn't fun.
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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Originally Posted by Chainsaw
The thing about programming is that it is 30% coding and 70% socializing with the person/group who wants something done. Think of a carpenter building a house. The tough part of the job is NOT deciding which hammer to use; its reading the blueprint. A good carpenter can see issues and discuss them with the owner/architect, and use the right tool for the job. The tool part comes with experience, and you can use the 'perfect' hammer or not, and with a good carpenter it doesn't matter; they can pick up almost any hammer and do a good job. They also know which hammer is 'right' for a job.
So, pick ANY language. You see ads for Visual Basic, so fine, use that. C++? use that. The language is the EASY PART. The hard part is figuring out what the customer needs and wants.
In my experience, customers have their preferred languages, and you adapt to them. The interesting/fun/hard part is figuring out what to DO with the language.
Remember, if you chose programming as a career, you can have FOURTY YEARS of doing it, so make it fun! Don't waste 2,000 hours a year on something that isn't fun.
I do like problem solving and trying to make someone elses ideas work.. that is fun to me.. and I like to see there excitement/appreciation when one of my creations work..
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Oh, yes, and by the way, in my experience people are worth spending time with, machines are worth making money on. Don't confuse making money with fun. Humans == fun, machines == money.
Yeah, we ALL like making money. Heck, even Bill Gates still shows up for work.
Still, when your girlfriend/boyfriend says "lets go out tonight and have fun" don't say "nah, I'm gonna code up some sort routines."
Yes, show up for work, yes put in enough hours to do an honest day's work and get paid for it (heck, we get WELL paid for this work). Work hard. When you're close to shipping, work long hours and weekends to get it out the door.
But, like that tired old saying goes, when you are on your deathbed, you won't say "Damn, if only I spent more time at work."
Your dad would like to get a phone call from you.
Your mom would like to fuss over you.
Your kids want to play with you.
Your spouse/friend wants to try out some new lube.
Whatever.
Machines can be fun, but as you get older you remember the great times you had with people, not those long (and yes sometimes fun) hours spent with machines.
Sorry, I'm not trying to sermonize here, but now that I'm gettin' old I wish I'd spent more time with people that are gone now.
Still, when your girlfriend/boyfriend says "lets go out tonight and have fun" don't say "nah, I'm gonna code up some sort routines."
Yes, show up for work, yes put in enough hours to do an honest day's work and get paid for it (heck, we get WELL paid for this work). Work hard. When you're close to shipping, work long hours and weekends to get it out the door.
But, like that tired old saying goes, when you are on your deathbed, you won't say "Damn, if only I spent more time at work."
Your dad would like to get a phone call from you.
Your mom would like to fuss over you.
Your kids want to play with you.
Your spouse/friend wants to try out some new lube.
Whatever.
Machines can be fun, but as you get older you remember the great times you had with people, not those long (and yes sometimes fun) hours spent with machines.
Sorry, I'm not trying to sermonize here, but now that I'm gettin' old I wish I'd spent more time with people that are gone now.
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