Subj : Re: Java vs. C++
To   : comp.programming.threads
From : Joe Seigh
Date : Fri May 27 2005 03:13 pm

On 27 May 2005 10:07:50 -0700, <hzs202@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> My name is Hakim Singhji and I am currently a student at New York
> University. I am majoring in Information Systems concentrating on
> Application Development. However, I have not completely decided on
> which application langauage to concentrate on (yet!). I am fluent in
> Unix shell scripting with ksh, bash and tcsh; I know a little Perl; I
> also am very fond of SQL and Oracle's PL/SQL however I am looking to
> focus my studies on either C++ or Java and I am looking for a little
> bit of advice in this area.
>
> It appears that Java is easy to learn and it's popularity is steadily
> increase because of its speed and ease of use. However, C and C++ are
> industry standards which will undoubtedly be used for a long time.
>
> I asked one of my Unix professors this same question and he suggested
> starting with C then C++. He made a comparison between C and Java using
> an analogy of German and Yiddish as he explained, "Learning C is like
> learning German if you know German than you know Yiddish (i.e., Java)
> by default."
>
> His explanation makes sense however, he is also a C++ Professor and has
> written books on C and C++. So I think there may be a bias. Is this the
> general feeling of Java as it relates to C and C++ among developers?
>
> Please review this thread carefully, I need to firm up my decision
> before this next semester begins. Thank you all for your help in
> advance.

Java before C++.   The Java designers deliberately left certain C++
features out when they designed Java.  You'll have a much better
appreciation if you go that way.  If you go from C++ to Java you
end up a little brain damaged and think certain bizarre practices
are normal and end up using rather contrived mechanisms rather than
doing things in a more natural (to Java) manner.

Threading in built into Java so you'll pick that up as a bonus.


-- 
Joe Seigh

When you get lemons, you make lemonade.
When you get hardware, you make software.

.