13 replies to this topic

[Siten0308]

Hello everyone,

I need input, i have been thinking the past 3 weeks now about learning c++. So far thanks to my internet professor, my C# skills have advanced (look at my game rockpaperscissors :) but anyways, wondering 3 things about c++, is c++ a better/advanced/ and or more secure (security wise) than C#? i see a lot of high top companies like northrop, JPL etc only taking people who know c++ including my favorite game company blizzard (maker of WoW), wondering if that can be the reason why. Second concer about c++, which language is in more favor in the job market, c++ or C#? the other concern is, do you expect to have c++ programming skills to be around in the coming of next 5 years? it would suck to learn the language and not be valuable any more :(, the reason i ask these dumb questions is because i found a cool community college right next to where i live and they offer to teach me starting from c++ beginner (dont know $%^#$ to learning c++ scientific theories, odbc with sql with c++, directx with c++ etc and more, so with learning c#, would it be a good idea to stop or slow down with c# and start learning c++, or just learning the new stuff?

thank you, please be kind, this is my career we are talking about :)

[drdebcol]

I personally think that C# is better, because it is kind of combination, and in the future that will be the main language. I know C++ and a bit of C# but i am constantly learning C# and i decided to quit C++ ! Maybe today companies are searching for C++ programmers, but slowly C# is taking the lead, and i predict that C# will be main !

[WingedPanther]

C++ is a lower level language than C#. In addition, C++ does not require the .NET library to run. As a result, you can have MUCH leaner code and can directly control the computer's hardware. Look here to get an idea of companies that use C++: C++ Applications

Depending on what you want to do, C++ may be necessary. Also, just because Microsoft is advancing C# and the .NET library rapidly, don't make the mistake of assuming that C++ isn't growing. The next version of the C++ standard will be adding several chunks of the Boost library, among other things.

The drawback to C++ is that it does not provide any graphics, but there are several libraries that provide that functionality, including the Windows API. The advantage of this is that C++ can be used to program things like microwave ovens, dish washers, etc without the overhead of a graphics library. This means you can use less powerful (cheaper) processors for these devices.

[TcM]

Ok so, if you are looking to learn only one language and find a job with it, then go for C++ I think, because with C# you won't find any jobs (or the probability is lower).. your C# advanced skills have nothing to do with how good you will be in C++... one is high language, which with a little practice anyone can master, but C++ is a low level language.

C++ can be used in more scenarios I think rather than just on Windows.

[Khaotic]

yeh. as a friend suggested, c# for GUIs and c++ for actual programs. you will get further in c++ than on c# b/c c++ is cross platform i believe

[WingedPanther]

C++ can be cross-platform (depending on whether you use conio or windows.h). C# is somewhat cross-platform through the Mono project.

[marwex89]

I just thought I would add that for games, C++ is superior. Performance-wise, it is extremely good (unlike C# you don't pay for what you don't use), and it supports OOP (unlike plain-old C) which allows for well-designed code. That's one of the reasons game companies (like Blizzard) want C++ programmers. Also, it does not rely on the .NET framework, and can more easily be ported to different platforms.

That being said, making an application in C# is generally a LOT faster than making them in C++, because C# does a lot for you. Take the GUI part, for example. C# is therefore very useful for a lot of things. But the program you have made in C# could almost always have been better if you used C++, although it would require more time.

[outsid3r]

drdebcol said:

I personally think that C# is better, because it is kind of combination, and in the future that will be the main language. I know C++ and a bit of C# but i am constantly learning C# and i decided to quit C++ ! Maybe today companies are searching for C++ programmers, but slowly C# is taking the lead, and i predict that C# will be main !

I strongly disagree with you, C++ it's undoubtedly more powerful than C# and maybe it's the most powerful OOP paradigm language available, it gives the programmer great flexibility to do anything and it's not strict to the rules of C# like everything must be an object, classes can't multiple inherit other classes and the garbage collector that in my opinion should not ever exist because i think that the programmer must be responsible for the memory management instead of letting the garbage collector waste processor and memory resources that just slows the execution. In my opinion you can't ever compare C# with C++, C# is like VB.NET with C++/JAVA syntax ;). It's a good programming language, but don't compare with C++.


Edit: ups, i forgot to answer Siten038

Quote

Hello everyone,

I need input, i have been thinking the past 3 weeks now about learning c++. So far thanks to my internet professor, my C# skills have advanced (look at my game rockpaperscissors but anyways, wondering 3 things about c++, is c++ a better/advanced/ and or more secure (security wise) than C#? i see a lot of high top companies like northrop, JPL etc only taking people who know c++ including my favorite game company blizzard (maker of WoW), wondering if that can be the reason why. Second concer about c++, which language is in more favor in the job market, c++ or C#? the other concern is, do you expect to have c++ programming skills to be around in the coming of next 5 years? it would suck to learn the language and not be valuable any more , the reason i ask these dumb questions is because i found a cool community college right next to where i live and they offer to teach me starting from c++ beginner (dont know $%^#$ to learning c++ scientific theories, odbc with sql with c++, directx with c++ etc and more, so with learning c#, would it be a good idea to stop or slow down with c# and start learning c++, or just learning the new stuff?

thank you, please be kind, this is my career we are talking about

Learn C++, it will improve your skills in all ways, C++ it's the main language for building large and very large applications, almost all companies use it because of it's power and flexibility. With C++ there is many ways to do something, i advice you that to master C++ can take much more time than to master other language, but the good thing is if you master C++ the other languages just look like easy crap to learn :P

[Siten0308]

So my only questions are... does anyone think C++ will be around for a long time, it would suck to learn it then there would be no jobs for it :( but thats another reason why decided to learn C#, it is new its .net libraries are expanding and here to stay. wondering if C++ is here to stay a little longer?

One last thing, what books would you recommend? i dont have the money or time to go to school, so i decided to do the old fashion why and pick up a book and learn it, ask questions and read lol thats how i am learning C# and so far its been good to me. so what book would you recommend for a complete idiot novice to learn C++ to take me to a professional at C++ and possible get a starting job as jr. programmer (if there is such a job out there in C++ i know there is in C#) but anyone recommend any book or book(s)?? websites etc.? if there is a school does anyone know a cheap school for C++ in souther california?

Thanks

[marwex89]

C++ will be around for ages, don't worry. There is even a new standard coming out!

Some resources I think may help:

1. Thinking in C++ - free eBook, great stuff. Planet PDF - Thinking in C++

2. C++ for dummies - never read it, but if you are a complete novice, this might be an idea? Then use Thinking in C++ for the more thorough, advanced stuff? Just an idea.

3. C++ Reference [C++ Reference] This one is useful if you wonder what the hell that function does...

4. Google Perhaps the most powerful one.

5. CodeCall Programming This is us, we can help you if you're stuck :)

Good luck!

[outsid3r]

Check this one too:

C++ Language Tutorial

[WingedPanther]

C++ has lasted for over 30 years because it is robust, extensible, and just works. .NET was written in C++. Microsoft write EVERYTHING in C++. Which language is most useful to them?