h4ck3r said:
@Smoothcriminal: Ok but still VB is kewler than java/c
LOL...thats about the most logical and rational answer ever given for an argument. Tuxfan has given a very detailed description. Furthermore I would also like to add certain points:
Java:
Myth - I have to write millions of lines of code to get a button onto the screen.
fact - Nothing of that sort. Thats what IDE's do. There are plenty of them around. Eclipse is one which is freeware, pretty fast and very customizable and by default it comes with support for java however plugins are available for other programming languages support.
Also learning java comes under two catagories :
1) Core java - File Handing, JDBC, Networking, multi-threaded applications, Swing and so on falls under this catagory. I would suggest getting to know core java very well first.
2) J2EE - Which is basically for your multi-tier applications, jsp, servlets, EJB's and so on. Like smoothcriminal said J2EE is a must for java programing nowadays.
As far as C++ is concerned there def is a huge market for this. Most of your mobile market development (such as OS and apps) is developed in C++. I am just giving an example of the market impact of C++ so going either way is good. Learning both is well asking for trouble.
I really wouldnt waste time with VB. Its ok for some fun programming but for serious stuff no one uses VB.
If you are thinking of going down the java route here are some things which will help you get started.
IDE - for working with java programs
Eclipse -
www.eclipse.org
- easy to use, freeware, has a lot of extensions to handle features such as J2EE programming and application server and all.
Application server - I will reccomend 2 here
1) Apache tomcat - very lightweight, free as it is opensource and extremely customizable.
- *jakarta.apache.org/tomcat/
2) Oracle Containers for Java - OC4J as it is called. Its very easy to use. Has a very small memory footprint for an application server and has support for enterprise j2EE programming such as EJB's and so on. Available at :
- *www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/ias/index.html
Do search in the Oracle pages as the links keep changing.
Database - freeware thats available is MySQL
my reccomendation is Oracle as this is the most widely used database in the world.
I am reccomending a database simply because you will need to learn atleast one DB w.r.t ur career in mind.
Let me know if you need any more info.
(PS. No I do not endorse Oracle products
tho I did work there for 18 months
Its just easy to use thats all
)