What program language to go in depth?

I'm in college and have learned C, C++, Java and some database languages. I'm disappointed though that a lot of the things taught are on theory and not much on practical use.

The reason I went into Computer Science is because I'm very curious as to how software like napster, real player, google, mobile communication apps, GPS systems, hacking and other cool stuff are done.

Can someone tell me what language is mostly used to create any of these? I guess I want to know which language to concentrate on. Also, it can really help if you can guide me to readings or sites I can go to to learn all the neat stuff.

hi,

most of applications u've named are network applications, they are mainly written in C. also there are some SDK for mobile applications and agents and main vendors as microsoft and sun has their standards and....
but about hacking, they need an in-depth knowledge of OS and microprocessor you are working on, and are written in assembly and C.
wishes,

Usually, you go in College to learn, and the College admits you because you're profitable hehe that makes things in perspective!

What *I* learned at university is: to learn.

that's it.

If you want to be proficient in a field, be it mathematics or sports, you have to practice. My advice is to start a small project to get some skills in programming in real life.

as a guideline:

Java is mainly though not exclusively the language of choice for cross-platform and so-called internet programming.

C/C++ is used for most programs under windows and unix.

C is used for really low-level api calls, runtime applications, on-board systems that really need every clock tick to optimize execution. C++ adds some overhead that translates to slower programs. This is usually not critical for most applications, but for real-time programs, this can be a headache. But unless you really do need optimization, C++ would be my language of choice because it offers a lot more possibilities with object-orientation and templates.

Good luck!

I think you should just give up your course now boy! Hacking? What could you possibly find interesting about hacking? Are you also interested in snatching bags from little old ladies on the street? Its the same thing as far as I'm concerned.

Proxima gave you the answers which I agree and I especially liked what he had to say about uni. The first thing I was ever tought was how to use the help screens. That basically sums up my education.

But hacking...? Why on earth would you be interested in that? Thats for zit-faced bedroom programmers who arent capable of getting jobs, have no social skills and are sexually frustrated. Thats how they get their kicks, by muscling into some unsuspecting computer. Unless you work for an anti-virus or net security company, let it go boy....
:mad:

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Originally posted by Deniz
I think you should just give up your course now boy! Hacking? What could you possibly find interesting about hacking? Are you also interested in snatching bags from little old ladies on the street? Its the same thing as far as I'm concerned.

Proxima gave you the answers which I agree and I especially liked what he had to say about uni. The first thing I was ever tought was how to use the help screens. That basically sums up my education.

But hacking...? Why on earth would you be interested in that? Thats for zit-faced bedroom programmers who arent capable of getting jobs, have no social skills and are sexually frustrated. Thats how they get their kicks, by muscling into some unsuspecting computer. Unless you work for an anti-virus or net security company, let it go boy....
:mad:

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Well anyone who is really interested in computers wants to become a hacker aka a Guru.

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Well anyone who is really interested in computers wants to become a hacker aka a Guru.

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So you must also think that body-building for 5 years and then picking a fight with the skinniest weakest person and naturally beating them up is cool....
:mad:

Thats sad...

Like I said before, snatching bags from little old ladies walking down the street is the same as being interested in computers to the extent that your considered a 'guru' so you can break into other unsuspecting peoples computers... I see no difference...

But dont worry, you'll hopefully grow out of it one day...

It may all be due to a word mistaking:
in my IT culture, Crakers are those to whom you are referring to as Hakers,
while Hackers are those to whom you are referring as Gurus...
....
I do not believe one starts at first thinking he should crash /steal anything. Maybe he starts feeling he would like to know everything at deep level. Growing on, he will have to choose which "side of force" to follow...
;) let us wait for arzoo400 to explain before starting biting...


Cesare "TheKindSideOfForce" Imperiali

I think Elrond hit the nail right on the head. But if what CImperiali said is true (the diff between hacker && cracker) then , my mistake I apologise.

I just think its pathetic that people find such uses for computers not to mention they are ruining it for all of us.




Well, as our good friend Derek Zoolander once said:
"I think we should be helping people instead of just concentrating on being really really really really ridiculously good looking."

:cool:

Read the discussions in code guru, java.sun.com...

try to do system level programming in each language, that lets you learn more about the OS and also how memory, i/o stuff are managed.

Use college knowledge to score marks.. i.e above 75 to get a placement..

when at home or lab, let your imagination run wild!

parvati

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Originally posted by Elrond
a hacker wants to destroy: destroy other peoples' privacy by getting in their computer, destroy other peoples' works by breaking into their programs, destroy other peoples' lives by stealing their money ...

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I think I instead agree with what this piece of article says : http://www.infowar.com/hacker/hackb.html-ssi

Hacker != Cracker

My computer science courses focused on theory as well, etc. All my practical knowledge was self-taught. I wouldn't be anywhere today if I had just sat in class all day and did nothing.

As far as hacking goes, I'm interested in it. I think it is fascinating how things work and I love taking things apart. But that doesn't mean I'll be sneaking into someone's computer system.

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Read the discussions in code guru, java.sun.com...

try to do system level programming in each language, that lets you learn more about the OS and also how memory, i/o stuff are managed.

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There is something I miss... What is the relationship between OS, memory mappings and Java? I think nothing. If you program in java, you get the chair below your butt and have nothing to do with real system calls, etc. because you use a nice API.
I have used it for a year and I was very much dissatisfied with its performance (I work on air control systems).
If speed is not an issue, current implementations of java interpreters are pretty stable, although 1.3 and 1.4 both DIFFERS - for example on TCP socket handling - (number of concurrent connections, for example) on different platforms. So it is NOT really platform independent, try it on AIX, Linux and Win32 and you will see. Can make hard days and nights.

If you really want to touch it, use assembly. That is the fastest (not writing code, but run it). Good if you program on Motorola 68xxx or PowerPC. C still can be considered. I personally do not think that coding on an intel processor in asm is convenient, you could try. The fun comes when multiple processors present. :)

Never think that C equals to C++. Definitely not. C++ is a fine language and most of the code can be moved platform to platform easiliy unless you use platform specific calls and frameworks, like MFC. GUI porting can be a problem sometime but server code (if implemented in a standard way, see Bjarne Stroustroup's C++ programming books) can be moved easily (if not compile immediately as it is).
There are several platform specific frameworks to OSs and C++ is tested for decades...

And if speed is really not and issue but you need to write your code fast, use scripting languages, like Perl or Python. (Both have several extensions, so you can do anything with those you would like.) For example, Perl is developed is C++ so another layer on the system. You can do string parsing by a few lines, which would take a lot more in C++ or in java.

And of course, there are more out like Microsoft's C# and Visual Basic, etc...

Finally, to the original topic of this thread, decide first what you would like to do, then go deep into the proper tool.