new to C++ - java

[James]

Hi,
I name is James and I am a VB developer !
O.K - now that is out the way - let me explain. I have been writing VB apps
now for about 2 years and doing pretty well at it too. BUT now this new
DOTNET is coming up I have begun to realise what you guys have realised a
long time ago probably - and that is that M$ was controlling my every move
in the development arena. Now I have seen the light and wish to move over to
REAL programming in C++ and JAVA .... So could you guys/gals please advise
me as to whether I am doing the right thing. Also do I have to worry about
Java not moving forward, as I have heard bad rumours about it recently.
I would also be gratefull if you could give me your opinion as to
whether C++ will be around for a lot longer. I assume that it will be around
for a very long time, but then going by my track record, I can't judge !
..... Thanks to all who reply ... OH Yes! - any good resources on the Net for
me - Like which IDE I should use etc. -

TIA

--
James
www.software-dungeon.co.uk
..

[Ako]

Its a good move to learn a real programming language as you say and whether
you should learn C++ or Java depends on what you want to do and what kind
of development you want to be involved with.
If you want desktop development and days and days of debugging and ability
to optimise your code to the last bit then go for C++, while if you want
to be involved with internet based applications especially server side applications
i think Java is the way to go. You can start learning both and see which
one you like more than the other.
As for if C++ and Java are going to be around for a long time (relatively
long time may be) i think the answer is yes but then as you know the only
constant in the computing world is the inevitablity of change.
The choice of IDEs again depend on what you want to do,it may be a good idea
to start without using any IDEs especially with java , get to know the language
basics and more impotantly the OO related issues. Because of your programming
background it shouldnt take you that long to grasp the basics. There are
quite few IDEs around for example Forte for java the Community Edition is
free and can be downloaded from Sun's website, if you are looking for a free
C++ IDE i think the best place to find them is on the cover CDs of computer
magazines.
Obviously you will need more advanced IDEs when you want to start serious
development the most popular C++ IDSs are probably MS-Visual Studio and Borland
C++ Builder. Borland's JBuilder is a good Java IDE and there are other things
like Forte for java Enterprise Edition and others.

For best resource material on java try the Sun's website.

Good Luck,


Ako


"James" <James@software-dungeon.co.uk> wrote:
>Hi,
> I name is James and I am a VB developer !
>O.K - now that is out the way - let me explain. I have been writing VB apps
>now for about 2 years and doing pretty well at it too. BUT now this new
>DOTNET is coming up I have begun to realise what you guys have realised
a
>long time ago probably - and that is that M$ was controlling my every move
>in the development arena. Now I have seen the light and wish to move over
to
>REAL programming in C++ and JAVA .... So could you guys/gals please advise
>me as to whether I am doing the right thing. Also do I have to worry about
>Java not moving forward, as I have heard bad rumours about it recently.
> I would also be gratefull if you could give me your opinion as to
>whether C++ will be around for a lot longer. I assume that it will be around
>for a very long time, but then going by my track record, I can't judge !
>..... Thanks to all who reply ... OH Yes! - any good resources on the Net
for
>me - Like which IDE I should use etc. -
>
>TIA
>
>--
>James
>www.software-dungeon.co.uk
>..
>
>
>
>
>
>
>