School question what subject should I take?

[RickyD]

Just finished the fall semester, The classes I took were C# 1 and 2 Database design and implementation using access and Linux administration.

I am wondering what would be a better path for me. For my degree I need two languages C# being one of them. Next semester I am signed up for MS SQL server, systems analysis, and a career prep course along with a general.

Next Semester I could take JAVA using Suse linux or I could take VB.NET. If I do not take one of those I can wait until fall 2008 and take ASP.NET which also includes HTML and java script. So I am wondering if I should take Java or VB or should I wait and take ASP. I have to choose between one of the three

When I search for jobs I always see jobs hiring for JAVA programmers or ASP using C#

Any advise would be helpfull thanks,
Rick

[darwen]

If you have the opportunity I'd recommend taking a course in C++. It'll stand you in very good stead.

If you want an easy time do VB.NET. You'll notice so many similarities (ok not in syntax, but in the BCL) that it should be a breeze after taking C#.

I'd do ASP.NET for certain. It'll broaden your horizons into writing server-side web-based code.

Darwen.

[dglienna]

I'd do Java next, as VB.Net might confuse your C# skills. ASP.Net is much like VB.Net anyways. Plus a few months away will refresh the skills that you didn't quite master this year.

[RickyD]

Thanks...

dglienna if i take java this next semester, I will not be able to take ASP next fall because I will have my second language and I will need other courses to fill my degree requirements..

Do you think taking Java will be better than taking ASP? My Instructor told me it doesnt make sense to take VB after taking C# it would be too easy.. He recommended Java because he is the instructor for Java and ASP has a different instructor. But when I look for jobs online there are so many jobs that want ASP skills using C#

Darwen it is sad but my school doesnt offer C++ however for my next degree the school I want to attend has courses in C++ but that will be a couple years down the road.

C# was my first language ever and I really enjoyed learning it. But to be honest I wish we had more time with it. The semester was only 18 weeks long so we were only able to do 17 of 25 chapters. We left out what I think are some key chapters like ADO.Net, working with data streams, working with XML files and how to deploy an application. Hopefully I can finish these chapters before the new semester starts.

[darwen]

Hopefully I can finish these chapters before the new semester starts.

Or, of you have a PC at home download C# express (for free) from Microsoft and continue learning at home... if you want to be a developer the ability to learn for yourself is essential.

Darwen.

[asantavicca]

I think you also might want to consider your career path. Do you want to be a developer, systems analyst, DBA? Others might have a different suggestion, but I think that might have some impact on what you take.

For example: C++ is good, but if you want to go the analyst route, JAVA might be better because there's a very strong emphasis on design (you can get away with very structured programming in C++; you'd be more likely to address design in JAVA - of course, depending on how good your professor is).

Just some thoughts.

[asantavicca]

Oh, and what darwen said is also a good point. There's no reason you can't teach yourself additional languages on your own. If you want to be a programmer, you'll almost certainly want to do that. If you know C#, you'll adopt JAVA quite easily on your own. And it's the same with ASP.NET (using C#).

C++ is a bit different, and it might be a little easier on your head to take that in a class. You'll need some help getting your head around pointers, handles, and other stuff that's not found in JAVA and ASP.NET.

[TheCPUWizard]

I'd do Java next, as VB.Net might confuse your C# skills. ASP.Net is much like VB.Net anyways. Plus a few months away will refresh the skills that you didn't quite master this year.

I dont understand how you could say this. ASP.NET is the WEB portion and can be used with either VB.Net or C# (or with some work any other CLR based language).

There ae also significant differences betwen the way a Desktop aplication is architected from the ground up compared to a Web Application.

Then you also have to consider the difference between "basic" Web Applications and Web 2.0 or RAI....

[dglienna]

I just posted what I thought he should take next. Based on my my opionion. Post your own. If ASP.Net is vb & c#, I've never noticed the c# difference

[TheCPUWizard]

Default ASP.Net page in VB:

Partial Public Class _Default
    Inherits System.Web.UI.Page

    Protected Sub Page_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

    End Sub

End Class

Same EXACT in C#

namespace WebApplication2
{
    public partial class _Default : System.Web.UI.Page
    {
        protected void Page_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {

        }
    }
}

[dglienna]

I meant that VB.Net after C#, but before Java would be wrong. Java would be better to get into now, and then next semester, get back into Net apps

[TheCPUWizard]

I meant that VB.Net after C#, but before Java would be wrong. Java would be better to get into now, and then next semester, get back into Net apps

THAT I could agree with (subject to the schools schedule. The part that I was taking exception to was:

ASP.Net is much like VB.Net anyways

One thing I would like to point out (not to you dglienna...) is that the syntax and semantics of any computer language really should be no more then secondary (or ever tertiary, or..) to learning the concepts, the "why", and the "philosophy".

Any specific language you learn with be "out of favor" or "obsolete" in a few years. In the past 35 year, I have developed in well over 50 different languages (NOT counting dialects). I have this agility because I focus on the underlying issues.

1) How does a single processor actually work. What happens as you scale to multiple cores, multiple processors (there is a difference), SMP, AMP, MPP?

2) What are the levels of Cache in the hardware? How are they synchronized?

3) What is the fundamental difference between, Server, Thick Client, Thin Client, Smart Client applications (at the fundamental design principals.

This list could go on for pages.

Remember ANY computer language is simply a convention for expressing concepts to a machine that is basically very stupid, but extremely fast. And that has not changed in decades!

[kessel]

I suppose it depends on how close to graduation you are and what you see yourself doing after you graduate. Okay, that wasn't much help...

Where I work we run the gambit from end-user applications down to very low-level embedded applications. Some software engineers are just "coders" while others are true engineers/architects. The difference is their personal level of motivation as well as a broad enough knowledge of the various languages to know when one is better than the other with regard to rapid development, performance, maintenance, etc. Well, that and knowledge about anything beyond just software... But I digress...

My vote with regard to language would be C++ simply because it gets you a little closer to the underlying machine, possibly for a better appreciation of what the other languages are doing (and what they take away "for your own protection").

A course in software architecture would probably be even better; especially if it provides practical guidance on the differences in real-time verses non-real-time applications. Such courses, if they exist, could be independent of language, but they don't need to be if you can generalize the concepts on your own.

If you are feeling really brave (and your school offers such courses) then anything involving assembly language (either x86 or PPC) could be useful, especially if they make you "play compiler". This would definitely give you some deep insight into the underlying machines driving most of today's software.

Of course, I also found courses in economics and history useful...

Good Luck!