which computer language is the most useful to learn? i want to acquire a computer skill because i have too much freetime on my hands, ever since i won the lottery (joking lol). i know html and css. so basically which language should i learn, besides html and css?
2006-12-01 17:01:15 · 10 answers · asked by Cowpoke 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Programming & Design
It really depends what kind of programming you want to do. If you want to choose a language that would give you the basic skills needed to study more later, I would suggest C. Most university cs curriculums still use this as the basis, though some have shifted to C++. I think learning C++ first is a mistake. It is much easier to learn object oriented programming if you first know how to program linearly. It is not near as easy to learn it the other way around. Most of the commonly-used current languages are based on C -- i.e., php, C++, Java, JavaScript. Thus, once you learn C, it is really easy to pick up these others. It might sound like any of these would give you the same basic knowledge since they are all so similar, but the others are all basically subsets of C, so it would be your best bet. It is really a great, all-purpose language.
2006-12-01 17:23:01 · answer #1 · answered by FabMom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you interested in creating desktop applications? If so, then try out Java or C#. Interested in expanding those HTML/CSS web design skills into web development skills? Then try PHP, JavaScript, Java, or Ruby. Interested in embedded programming or older-style programming? Then try C, C++, or a version of Assembly.
Java, C#, and Ruby are part of the newest generation of programming languages. They are object-oriented languages, which model problems and solutions in terms of objects that can perform actions.
C is the grandfather of the newer languages and is a type of procedural language, in which code is modeled in terms of a sequence of procedures or functions.
JavaScript and PHP are programming languages for the Web. JavaScript is run by a web browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer), while PHP is run by the website hosting the code. The term "AJAX" is a popular buzzphrase associated with the new hype in JavaScript, which just means that you can use JavaScript to fetch stuff and put it on a webpage without having to press the "refresh" button. Forums, blogs, wikis, and other popular online constructs are created through the likes of PHP.
If you want to stick with the Web, learn JavaScript and PHP. If you want to make computer programs, go with Java and C#. I don't recommend C++ or C, as these are older languages with a higher learning curve, and newer programming languages can do just as much as the older languages can.
To learn more, check out Wikipedia or read some programming books (I recommend books made by O'Reilly).
2006-12-02 02:50:13 · answer #2 · answered by Zarjay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The big money is in the database system.
So I would say PHP and MySQL
That say... When you work on Web Design, you need to know about everything related to it.
Javascript is an odd one.
On one hand it is very popular because of all the things you can do with it.
On the other hand it is not supported by Microsoft or the search engines. The problem with javascript is that it has been used for the wrong reasons "popup windows". This is the reason why the search engines have banned it. Otherwise it probably would be the most popular scripting language today.
2006-12-02 03:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by Aussies-Online 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you know HTML and CSS, I'm assuming that you're into web pages and the like. So it would help to know JavaScript and PHP, since they are also used in coordinance with HTML. Both are useful.
Or if you'd like to learn something else, you can always opt to learn C++.
2006-12-02 05:48:21 · answer #4 · answered by yeorim 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HTML and CSS are both used for the presentation of web pages. Staying in that same space, there are a wealth of things, it depends on what you want to do....PHP and Javascript would both have uses...
For more general programming, it still depends on what your trying to accomplish. Java, Ruby, Python are all interestng choices today...
2006-12-02 01:07:32 · answer #5 · answered by W C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My specialties are VB and SQL, and I consider them pretty easy to learn. The money, however, is in C++, ASP, PHP type languages. In my area, there are also more of those type of jobs. In fact, I am considering a change myself. That's my 2 cents!
2006-12-02 01:13:50 · answer #6 · answered by narrfool 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
C++ for programming
PHP for web based language [with PHP, you can make some really neat scripts]
2006-12-02 01:05:41 · answer #7 · answered by freedom1378 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Learn a scripting language such as php/asp.
2006-12-02 01:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by makman26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
C, for system programming
php, for internet based programming
java, for gui programming
perl, for scripting and automating tasks
haskel, if you want your head to explode.
2006-12-02 01:46:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say either C++ or python
2006-12-02 01:07:13 · answer #10 · answered by welder_with_an_attitude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋