Picking a language (programming)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice between Java and PHP for web development, particularly in the context of a participant who is already proficient in C++. The conversation explores the advantages and disadvantages of each language, their applicability in online game development, and the integration of Java with C++ for server communication.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the prevalence of Java job postings compared to PHP in their area, suggesting PHP may be declining in popularity.
  • Another participant expresses a preference for freelance work and seeks to understand which language would better facilitate online game development and web development.
  • There is a question about the time required to learn Java or PHP for someone already skilled in C++, with one participant suggesting that Java is similar to C++ and may be easier to learn.
  • A participant inquires about the feasibility of using Java for server communication in a C++ game, indicating a desire to understand compatibility between the two languages.
  • Another participant shares their experience with Java in web applications, noting that integration with C++ is possible but does not provide current best practices.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of HTML and CSS in web development, with one participant questioning if HTML is universally used in all websites.
  • A participant emphasizes the importance of learning programming concepts over specific languages, suggesting that familiarity with multiple languages can ease the learning of new ones.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the advantages of Java versus PHP, and there is no consensus on which language is definitively better for web development or game networking. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best practices for integrating Java and C++.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the potential for different job markets and personal preferences in learning languages, but do not reach a consensus on the best choice for web development or game development. The discussion also highlights the subjective nature of language learning timelines and compatibility.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or professionals in computer science and software development, particularly those interested in web development and game programming, as well as those considering the transition from C++ to other programming languages.

NetMage
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Hello, so I am a junior in college right now...I am double majored in mathematics and computer science. I was curious, I know C++ pretty well and was interested in starting web development languages. I know I will have to learn html and SQL as they are pretty much standard for web development...however, I am asking a pretty common question...what are the advantages and disadvantages to Java and PHP. I am not sure which I want to learn. I know I'll need one of them obviously (there are others, but these are the two i can't choose between!). I am interested in online game development, and web development. I know C++ pretty well, and am looking for which will benefit me for those two aspects of software development, choosing between: Java or PHP, accompanied by C++. THOUGHTS?
 
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NetMage said:
Hello, so I am a junior in college right now...I am double majored in mathematics and computer science. I was curious, I know C++ pretty well and was interested in starting web development languages. I know I will have to learn html and SQL as they are pretty much standard for web development...however, I am asking a pretty common question...what are the advantages and disadvantages to Java and PHP. I am not sure which I want to learn. I know I'll need one of them obviously (there are others, but these are the two i can't choose between!). I am interested in online game development, and web development. I know C++ pretty well, and am looking for which will benefit me for those two aspects of software development, choosing between: Java or PHP, accompanied by C++. THOUGHTS?
One way to choose is to go to the web sites of different companies and look at their job postings. In my company, Java jobs are running about 100 to 1 against PHP in the DC area. PHP seems to be a dying language here.
 
Well, I have quite a ways before I am worried about landing a job anywhere. At the moment I am soley interested in freelance work from home. My brother is a graphic artist and we kinda have a team going. I want to be able to produce websites and 3d video games with the help of him. C++ was pretty easy for me to learn, and my end goal is to know the appropriate languages to communicate between servers in say an mmorpg or fps online video game, and also to be able to produce websites if we so choose to take on the task. I know C++ is a heavy weight when it comes to game development, I was curious as to what else will be useful to network the game online, is using java with C++ popular?
 
Also, it took me about 4 months to comfortably learn C++. I am mainly self taught, I take the official OOP class this spring semester, but I know OOP pretty well in C++. How long would it take to learn Java or PHP assuming I am about an average skilled programmer in C++ within 4 months.
 
NetMage said:
Also, it took me about 4 months to comfortably learn C++. I am mainly self taught, I take the official OOP class this spring semester, but I know OOP pretty well in C++. How long would it take to learn Java or PHP assuming I am about an average skilled programmer in C++ within 4 months.
I haven't studied PHP so I can't tell you much there. Java and C++ are pretty similar. I would consider C++ to be the more difficult of the two. If C++ was easy for you, you shouldn't have too much difficulty with Java.
 
Kool, so far I am leaning toward java. I have a question. Say I make a 3d mmorpg game, and i write it in C++. Would it be frowned upon or difficult to use java to communicate with the server, or can that just be written in C++ as well? I intend on using basic flash stuff for the UI.
 
NetMage said:
Kool, so far I am leaning toward java. I have a question. Say I make a 3d mmorpg game, and i write it in C++. Would it be frowned upon or difficult to use java to communicate with the server, or can that just be written in C++ as well? I intend on using basic flash stuff for the UI.
I haven't written online video games so I can't say for sure what would work best for that. I write Java for a website that interacts with back-end datasources. For our purposes, we haven't needed for our application to connect with C++ programs. The few times that I've done it was years ago. So, I know that it can be done but I couldn't tell you about the current best practices.
 
Ah interesting. Well, I'll continue doing my research, I think I will take on java though. It is similar to C++ which will be a nice easy transition. And as long as I am able to connect the two, there should be no problems, which apparently it can be done. And lastly, I wasnt to develop websites for my owner personal pleasures...which I know Java does an excellent job of. Is it 100% that html is used in every website, along with CSS? I hear that a lot.
 
WOW i cannot type. *I Want to develop websites for my own personal pleasures* Sorry about that.
 
  • #10
NetMage said:
Ah interesting. Well, I'll continue doing my research, I think I will take on java though. It is similar to C++ which will be a nice easy transition. And as long as I am able to connect the two, there should be no problems, which apparently it can be done. And lastly, I wasnt to develop websites for my owner personal pleasures...which I know Java does an excellent job of. Is it 100% that html is used in every website, along with CSS? I hear that a lot.
Your web sites can have any level of integration with Java as you like. Our website is Servlets and JSP with very little html except for a few help pages. BTW, Java is also the platform for Android phones. Once you get proficient at Java, you can build apps for those phones as well.
 
  • #11
If you plan to do programming as part of your career (whether full time or not), the important thing is to learn how to PROGRAM, not what language(s) you know.

Over 30 years, I reckon I've learned a new language every 12 to 18 months. Once you know five or ten, learning another one is no big deal, because you already know what you want to do, so you don't have to learn much except some new syntax.

If you are serious about learning programming, I suggest you learn a list processing or functional language next (e.g Scheme or Haskell). You might never actually use a language like that for real, but learning one will free up the way you think about programming.
 
  • #12
Thanks for the input so far guys. Yea, I am pretty good at algorithms and such in C++. I've made a little 2d game and it was pretty simple. I understand logic very well and programming has come pretty natural for me. I am almost done with both 4 year degrees (math/CS). I just was very curious as to how well C++ and java are compatible together in a game, and how well java creates websites compared to PHP, as I understand those are the two big web development languages.
 

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