[arch-projects] Dead list

[Andy Roberts]

On Friday 20 May 2005 21:48, Dusty Phillips wrote:
> Some days I'd rather be anunemployed Python programmer than a
> dissatisfied C++ or Java
> programmer saying "this would be so much easier in Python"
>
> Course, I never say that for Java, even though its sometimes true...
>

Well, if you're looking for a job, then it's probably easier to do in Java :P 
I don't know, in my research, I have wrote a set of programs for various 
tasks. The majority are Java, several are python and one is C++. I then use 
someelse's program for another task which is written in C.

I think Python is a great language and a great starting point for budding 
programmers. Python reminds me of how I write in C++: objects for 
encapsulation, and then procedural from then on. So, a transition from Python 
to C++ in this way would be quite easy in that respect. However, a python 
programmer may be horrified at the C++ syntax. No more nice for loops. You'll 
probably have to use pointers eventually. The STL is darn hardy but it's not 
simple.

Java uses a similar syntax to C++ (even more so now thank's to generics), but, 
when it comes to using collections, it isn't *as* bad. Java on the other hand 
enforces object-orientation design thoughout - no mixed mode here! I recall 
it took me a while to get used to that. 

One of the handy things with Java is that it's a rich platform. The language 
itself isn't terribly difficult, but it can take a while just to become 
familiar with all the classes that comes bundled with the Java Runtime. This 
obviously saves a great deal of effort since you need not reinvent the wheel. 
The number can in fact be a downside - I know students who write a lot of 
code when they could have utilised a class they didn't realise existed!

Java is extremely important in the back-end and middleware domains. 
Enterprises like it because you can make good web-based rich applications. So 
there are a lot of jobs out there within these areas. Companies like IBM and 
Oracle are pouring resources to Java technologies. Note, Google recently 
released a Java app for uploading videos - so they must have employed at 
least one Java dev!

Basically, (and obviously this is subjective) I'd say for the best all-round 
language, i'd choose Java. It's fast enough relative to C++ and much faster 
than any of the other high-level scripting languages. It's fully featured and 
the portability of your programs can be a real bonus.

Andy

> Dusty
>
> On 5/20/05, Martin Lefebvre <dadexter at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I'm thinking about going back to trying to learn C++ instead because of
> > that... what should I do? :P
> >
> > I'm a poor little python guy, but python isn't going to get me anywhere
> > on the job market (well, except some unrelated help desk job... but I'm
> > already there)
> >
> > >  From what I have heard, it is a pain. Because freebsd isn't one of the
> > > "download and go" platforms for java, and there are some issues with
> > > recompiling the source on freebsd, *I think*. Not positive though, but
> > > I remember reading something about silliness of java on freebsd.
> > >
> > > Good luck.
> > >
> > > ps. Java is slow and ugly. :P
> > >
> > > Martin Lefebvre wrote:
> > >> I moved to freebsd recently because Linux (any distro/version) runs
> > >> like crap on my abit BP6
> > >>
> > >> constant APIC errors in syslog, and random freezes...
> > >> hated it... freebsd seemed like my only option at that point... and
> > >> runs fine...
> > >> I'll figure out the BSD java stuff, was just hoping maybe someone had
> > >> java/freebsd experience :/
> > >>
> > >>>On 5/20/05, Martin Lefebvre <dadexter at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >>>>I'm trying to learn java... but the install on freebsd is kinda
> > >>>> tedious for a lazy person like me :/
> > >>>
> > >>>Means you're using the wrong os.... 'pacman -Sy j2re'
> > >>>
> > >>>If you're a lazy person, Arch is the distro for you...
> > >>>
> > >>>;-)
> > >>>
> > >>>Dusty
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > arch-projects mailing list
> > > arch-projects at archlinux.org
> > > http://archlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/arch-projects
> >
> > --
> > Martin Lefebvre
> > eMail: dadexter at gmail.com
> >
> > WWW: https://sigterm.homeunix.com
> > Registered Linux User #349269
> >
> > -----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
> > Version: 3.12
> > GAT dpu s:-- a- C+++ UL++++ P-- L++++ E--- W+++ N++ o-- K- w---
> > O- M-- V-- PS PE Y PGP-- t+++ 5- X R- tv++ b+ DI-- D+
> > G-- e h++ r++ y**
> > ------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > arch-projects mailing list
> > arch-projects at archlinux.org
> > http://archlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/arch-projects
>
> _______________________________________________
> arch-projects mailing list
> arch-projects at archlinux.org
> http://archlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/arch-projects