It's time to learn a new programming language?

aeric

aeric

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Background
I use VB6 for my first job as a programmer 12 years ago. I love VB6 very much. It was(is) a good RAD IDE and I am still using it to develop desktop applications. Even some programmers hope to bring back classic VB. Later on I have extended my knowledge to ASP to develop web application. Now I mostly code in ASP.NET for web application in VB. Like it or not latest Visual Studio is so much bloated, consume more CPU power, RAM and harddisk space compare to VB6. I am still stick to .NET framework 2.0 and hesitate to move on to v4.0 and MVC or even LinQ. I am not fond of C# as I am not really like C++ or Java perhaps due to the semicolon (;) and bracket ({ }) style programming. However, as a programmer, I know I need to keep on learning new things.

Modern Technology
In the recent days, things seem have changed a lot very fast. JavaScript once upon a time that I learn was a small add-on to web page is now come to my surprise has become a very popular as a back end scripting language. With the new language like Angular.JS and Node.JS have become popular recently, I started to think my knowledge of programming is so far lack behind. More and more framework rise such as Bootstrap, DJango, Ruby on Rails, Laravel to name a few...

Testing Server
To show to my customer what I can do, I need to build demo app and publish it to a public server. My local shared hosting mostly only support PHP and MySQL. This is a limitation to try out other programming language such as Java, Ruby and Python for web development. Not mentioning Perl supported CPAN and modules which can be install through CPanel. Perl and PHP is still relevant on today is a question.

Platform
I am keep on research on alternative technologies. I have look on Xojo but I am not convinced to purchase a license. I am still keep an eye on Gambas. Microsoft just integrated Xamarin to Visual Studio for developing mobile apps for Android, iOS and Windows phone. Visual Studio Community edition is free to download. With my current knowledge in VB which I think gaining less popularity nowadays base on TIOBE index, I feel so worry to continue my profession as a programmer.

Now, I am considering to learn Python. I hope it is the best language to learn that I can do both in desktop and web, running on Windows and Linux.

Otherwise just forget about everything I wrote here, just focus on B4A and B4J ! :)
 
S

sorex

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in my opinion it doesn't matter in what you write it as long as it works (right).

even when knowing several languages I pick the right one for the requested task and don't stick to just 1 "package".
 
Erel

Erel

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I program daily in the following languages: B4X, Java, C#, Objective C and C++.

While each language has a different syntax, the fundamentals are mostly the same. For example if you understand how HTTP technology work then you will be able to use it from any language.

Obviously there are differences between different platforms. An Arduino micro controller is very different than a PC.
 
ilan

ilan

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Erel said:
I program daily in the following languages: B4X, Java, C#, Objective C and C++.
Click to expand...

are you doing it in your superhero costume?

ss.jpg
 
LucaMs

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Erel said:
I program daily in the following languages: B4X, Java, C#, Objective C and C++.

While each language has a different syntax, the fundamentals are mostly the same.
Click to expand...
It's right, of course, but "you" should not forget tools, environments, IDEs.

I could write C# projects using Notepad++ or I could choose VS!

Also, Java and C# are like English: you need to know it.
 
aeric

aeric

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I think the job market demands more on Java, C#, C/C++, Node.js, Go, Python, PHP and JavaScript. I don't know why BASIC seems less demand and low salary compare to the former.

how about HTML5? anyone? :p
 
LucaMs

LucaMs

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aeric said:
Anything wrong with B4A Designer? It is very good feature. I can't see any improvement is required. ;)
Click to expand...

It's a "long" story :) (I mean, you should read the previous posts).

Erel said:
I program daily in the following languages: B4X, Java, C#, Objective C and C++.

While each language has a different syntax, the fundamentals are mostly the same.
Click to expand...

and I replied:
LucaMs said:
It's right, of course, but "you" should not forget tools, environments, IDEs.

I could write C# projects using Notepad++ or I could choose VS!
Click to expand...

So, I mean: languages are not so different (many of them), just their syntax, grammar, other small stuff but the tools are important, so as B4A Designer is important.
I could write my layouts using a text editor but I suppose (!) I can do it better and faster with the Designer.
 
LucaMs

LucaMs

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Another example: I could develop an app writing in Java, but I can choose Eclipse+ADT or Android Studio; same target platform, same language but different development environment.
 
Last edited:
KMatle

KMatle

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B4x + php + VS VB.net (for special needs)

Examples of my learning process:

php: I needed it so I leaned how to use it
VB.net: Just wanted to call my php scripts like in B4x. Very easy. I ended up using RSA in B4x, php and VB.net. Now I can "read" RSA keys.
Raspberry: Just was interested. Some days later I wrote a tutorial how to start
ESP8266: Cool thing. Again I wanted to call some php scripts and communicate with my apps. I ended up in using GCM in my apps.

If I need something in C# or Java I will try (ending up in having an own Android :D:cool:)

Stay hungry, stay foolish...
 
Cableguy

Cableguy

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J(ava)
A(utomatic)
R(éorganiser)
V(irtual)
I(ndexer)
S(ystem)
????
 
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