Orjan

I think this is the largest problems for programmers of today. To be too conservative.

The programming languages evolves, new programming languages are created, and others maybe not be obsolete, but will sink back in usage at least. The only language that actually has stood in this windy business is C/C++. It has lasted for more than most languages has, and especially with such a competitor as java taking place on the programming scene.

The older programming languages has otherwise almost fallen into sleep, almost only used in a few systems where it's compulsory needed, something like FORTRAN, COBOL and so on. Other languages has been trying to keep up with the new developments, as Pascal being revived into Delphi.

For programmers who learned to program in the 80's or early 90's, the programming isn't like anything learned as a beginner. The base structure is there, yes, with conditional statements, loops and variables, but performed a little bit different.

Different programming languages needs different tactics in how you write your program. Scripting languages I guess has generally easier methods to be written than a compiled languages, but of course it's a matter of knowledge as well.

Back to the real topic. Conservative. After have learn programming in the ancient days, you know the old school stuff and it's so easy to fall back on that. new methods, new languages, new programming environments or even only new modules or libraries that makes the programmers life easier.

How easy is it really to take on these new inventions that lies ahead of us? how easy is it to change language, methods, or are we generally stuck in the past, while beginners takes on the new and runs ahead of us? Or do we use our experiences and learn and adept easier because of that?

I think as I started out, that beginners has an advantage, as you easily get stuck in old ways. If you are led in on a road, it's harder to break it. Things as OOP is harder to adapt to if you're blown into Procedural Programming. CSS/XHTML/JS is harder if you've been lost on tables for a decade. But it's still not impossible, absolutely not. But mentally it's harder in my world.

I like changes, I like development. I usually have no problems with my world developing. it's just that sometimes, I don't catch up developing in the same speed. doesn't bother me really either. but when you aim for somethings to be in pace with, others need to be let gone...