What language to learn next?

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GeXus
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What language to learn next?

Post by GeXus »

I feel like I have somewhat mastered PHP, yes there is still a lot out there that I'm sure I haven't done, but I feel like I know it well enough to learn something else. What language would you guys recommending learning? and why? I've tried C#, I know enough to build a basic app, database, controls, etc. , but I don't like it, particularity the .NET framework in general, so I want to stay away from anything MS and stick to open source. I was thinking about python or mod_perl, but I really need a compelling reason as to learn something new, more than just it will add to the resume.
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Luke
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Post by Luke »

I was having a difficult time choosing between python and ruby, so I asked the forum myself. I got a response stating that python is still well above ruby in terms of active projects on sourceforge. I realize that isn't a 100% accurate portrayal of the popularity or longevity of a language, but it was enough to make me choose python. I am glad I did too. I love python. It has probably the coolest syntax and tools I have personally worked with in a language. It is also pretty popular at Google... and they are no slouches (the benevolent dictator for life (creator of python) works for Google).
Another good reason to choose python is django. It's a framework somewhat like rails is to ruby. From what I've seen of both, I prefer django. It is amazing.

If you were to go on sheer popularity, than java is hands down your choice. It's extremely popular... followed by C, then PHP, then python (I could be wrong on this... this was pulled from memory).
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RobertGonzalez
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Post by RobertGonzalez »

My next language is Java, if I ever get around to making time to learn it. After that, C++. From there, who knows? But I do want to learn Python and Ruby, and was thinking about Delphi so that might be able to recode legacy apps into something cooler.
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ReverendDexter
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Post by ReverendDexter »

I think it depends what your goal in learning another language would be. As PHP is a scripting language, I would suggest learning something of a different genre, either Java or C++. If you really want to get deep into it, pick up an assembly language :twisted:
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

Esperanto.
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Post by onion2k »

If I were choosing a new language to learn I'd probably choose between...

Java - Increased job prospects.
JSP - Increased job prospects.
ASP.NET/C# - Nice language, Increased job prospects.
Ruby - I know a little of it, it's lovely.
Python - Worth learning just to get access to Beautiful Soup in my opinion. Someone needs to port that to PHP.
BlitzPlus - Awesome rapid development tool that's nicely cross platform (can compile to Windows, OSX, Linux).

I don't think I'd bother with C or C++. I'm not interested in writing the sorts of things they're good for.

(Note: If I didn't already know it then Perl would be in my list.)
GeXus
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Post by GeXus »

I'm kind of leaning towards Python... I would go for Java (for the resume factor), but it just seems vastly more complicated than PHP and I think I would get frustrating having what would be a simple task in PHP, become a more lengthy task in Java, at least that's based on tutorials I have glanced at and that's one thing I found from C#
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ReverendDexter
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Post by ReverendDexter »

GeXus wrote:I'm kind of leaning towards Python... I would go for Java (for the resume factor), but it just seems vastly more complicated than PHP and I think I would get frustrating having what would be a simple task in PHP, become a more lengthy task in Java, at least that's based on tutorials I have glanced at and that's one thing I found from C#
True, doing things that PHP excels at *are* going to be very frustrating to do in Java. However, there are things you just can't do in PHP, that you can do in Java, and (I'm sure) there are things that are just flat easier to do in Java. I would disagree with it being "vastly more complicated", it's just another way of doing things.
GeXus
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Post by GeXus »

ReverendDexter wrote:
GeXus wrote:I'm kind of leaning towards Python... I would go for Java (for the resume factor), but it just seems vastly more complicated than PHP and I think I would get frustrating having what would be a simple task in PHP, become a more lengthy task in Java, at least that's based on tutorials I have glanced at and that's one thing I found from C#
True, doing things that PHP excels at *are* going to be very frustrating to do in Java. However, there are things you just can't do in PHP, that you can do in Java, and (I'm sure) there are things that are just flat easier to do in Java. I would disagree with it being "vastly more complicated", it's just another way of doing things.
What can Java do that PHP can't? aside from applets, which I don't care about it... Whatever I do learn, I want the focus to be strictly web also... even though Python can be used for desktop, I see that as just an added bonus...
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infolock
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Post by infolock »

You know, I've had this same debate in my head for a while now. I've seen and done almost all I can think of in PHP, and I'm wanting more.

Instead of going to C++ or Java (which both are truely relavant alternatives), I asked myself "What seems to be taking up more space on the net?"

The answer is flash and actionscript with a spoonful of flex.

These 3 things all boil down to adobe products. Silverlight (which I feel isn't going to do all that well) is another alternative. But it's up to you dude. What do you want to do? Web Development? Desktop Application development?

If it's the web, I'd recommend Flash/Actionscript. There seems to be a lot more jobs opening up for this type of thing anymore...
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superdezign
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Post by superdezign »

GeXus wrote:What can Java do that PHP can't? aside from applets, which I don't care about it...
Java is an object-based language. If you are familiar with JavaScript (moreso in the concepts rather than just a few of the simpler things you can do with it), then you'll understand the power you can gain from it. For example, event-driven applications are very easy to create in an object-based language.

With that said, my suggestion was going to be ActionScript, just as infolock stated. ActionScript is a language that I have fallen in love with just as I have with JavaScript, as both give you a document (or 'movie') to work with with different elements you can deal with as you please. ActionScript is like JavaScript, but with a hell of a lot more flexibility in what can be manipulated and accomplished. ActionScript 2.0+, that is. The 1.0 version was just basic scripting, but now it is a full-blown object-based language.
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Post by wei »

i think there may 2 things to learn (for web oriented stuff) if the first is not already known.

1) understand the http protocal and the networking stack (e.g. what is tcp? what does it do? how to get a packet from point A to B? why use keep-alive in http 1.1?)

2) for fun, learn actionscript 3.0 (which is part of adobe flex), it is a mix of java style OO synatx and javascript style first class functions

why understand 1)? Because everything that is related to web depends on it.
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Post by Ambush Commander »

Esperanto.
::laughs:: Human languages are so much more difficult to learn.

I personally would like to learn C/C++, Java, Python, Perl and Shell. And JavaScript/XUL.
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swiftouch
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Post by swiftouch »

After I get a handle on PHP, Definitely Java for the resume padding.
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Post by jmut »

GeXus wrote: ...Whatever I do learn, I want the focus to be strictly web also...
Well I think you narrowed your choice a lot - for strictly web you don't have that many worth it options.
PHP, Java. When speaking web, java won't give you that much benefit compared to php I think. There is tons of work for php and is pretty well paid too.
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