Where to start: Java or C++?

[Force Flow]

I remember hearing one of them is based on the other, but which one? Would that be the best one to start learning?

[lokgotz]

i started with C++ first...then only Java......but i am not sure which is based on which......

HTH

[Paul Victorey]

Java is derived from C++. Learning Java first will help you understand OOP better, but C++ is probably the language you want to learn in the long run.

[Force Flow]

OOP? :confused: What's that?

[KoOk]

Object Oriented Programming, creating you own data types, classes, etc.

[Force Flow]

Okay. Thanks guys! :)

[Paul Victorey]

OOP is probably the best programming style to learn, whether you are using C++ or Java. It's the most practical, it's the style that everyone uses nowadays, and it has the most potential for developing large applications with a minimal amount of bugs.

[Force Flow]

So, where does visual basic come in? In C++ or this OOP?

[Paul Victorey]

Visual Basic is a different programming language from C++, it is an OOP version of the BASIC language.

[doctorgonzo]

Visual Basic is an attempt to make an object oriented-like language that is as easy to use as BASIC. Only VB.NET is a true object-oriented language; previous versions of VB did not include key components of object-oriented design. For this reason, and because VB is less powerful than C++ in some ways (but syntactically easier), VB is considered by many to be a "lesser" language than C++, but it is telling that M$ thinks a plurality of Windows developers use VB.

[Force Flow]

Would that be where the infamous BSOD comes in?

[aym]

I don't think that BSOD comes only from VB apps.

[achilipepper]

cmon, you all know that the most cutting edge language out there is cobol

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by achilipepper
cmon, you all know that the most cutting edge language out there is cobol

:rolleyes:

A relative of mine finally got out of the comp programming gig since all she knew how to program was cobol ;)

[bonzai]

Cobol is a valued skill. It pays alot especially in the financial districts of New York.

[Paul Victorey]

Yeah, believe it or not, COBOL is very widely used on mainframes, even today. It's a niche market, but pays very handsomely.

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by Paul Victorey
Yeah, believe it or not, COBOL is very widely used on mainframes, even today. It's a niche market, but pays very handsomely.

Hmm... a relative of mine retired from programming COBOL because it wasn't being used anymore where she was.

[achilipepper]

cobol is old school but its still very common. i could land a pretty well paying job with my cobol learnedness, i would just be too bored!

[Beholdereye]

Starting with java would be your best bet right now because of Microsoft releasing C#. Bascially all it is, is visual basic object oriented programming with java being the actual code behind the buttons