Possible Duplicates:
Why should i learn C++.
Which one: C++ or Java?
Hello. I only know Java and Assembly currently but was thinking of learning C++. However, I would like to hear from someone more experienced in the programming field which language should I dive into the most for general programming purposes (as in, the most efficient and versatile)? And in what instances would the other programming language be more usefull? Thanks.
Java. Portable, object oriented and memory managed. Probably the best language for general programming. Although it depends on whether or not you're talking about application or script programming. If you just need short scripts, then learn a scripting language like perl or python.
You want to learn C++ if you need to do 3d graphics programming or more low level operating systems type programming. But if you're just doing general application programming, then Java can be nearly as efficient as C++ and the time saved by its portability and memory management is extensive.
C++ can be more efficient (IF done well), and is also very versatile . . . the problem there is primarily that it takes a lot of tiny steps to make a big leap. You won't be getting things done particularly fast. But, depending on what you want to program (You mention knowing assembly at the moment; C++ sits much closer to that than Java) it can be worthwhile to learn.
C++ would be useful for optimization and underlying systems programming.
Java is more useful for portable applications programming.
To throw this out there, C# is very useful for fast GUI design.
In terms of efficiency, C++ is much "closer to the metal" than Java, so similar code in both languages will run faster in C++.
Consider Python for "general" programming.
It's slightly easier to work with than C++ because it has pleasant memory management and a somewhat more complete OO programming model.
It's slightly easier to work with than Java because it's a "dynamic" language and doesn't require a lot of fairly complex type definitions to get something simple to compile.
For general programming I prefer Python because you have the option of writing simple scripts or using OO depending on your needs.
If python is not an option, Java might be the better choice because it's more portable and you already know it.
I think learning any new language gives you more perspective, but since you know Assembly already you know how Object references are handled behind the scenes, so you don't really need to learn c++. Instead I'd suggest learning a functional programming language like Haskell, Scheme, or Erlang to learn a different way of thinking. Also, you could learn something more expressive like Python or Ruby.
But if you are looking to start in on a specific project, you might as well continue with Java as it is fairly efficient for most tasks.
If by 'general progrmming' you plan to include desktop GUI apps, then Qt alone is reason enough to go C++
Depends on what you are trying to do with it. If you are trying to do low level stuff then use C++, if you are trying to do web use Java. For desktop apps it's up to what you like to program in. If there are frameworks you like to use (e.g. .Net or Swing etc) then that could be a factor.
Personally I would say if you are considering learning C++, then learn it and expand your knowledge base that much more, especially if you already know Java.
I programmed device drivers for 3 years in C/C++, and later did websites in Java/C#. The knowledge I had from C++ has carried over to website development, and I feel it has made me a better all around developer.
The long and short of it is, figure out the right tool for the job and use it.
I've worked with both (Started in C and moved to C++ then Java with a spattering of other languages along the way).
I prefer to work with Java. Period. It's just about as fast, it doesn't use header files the syntax feels much cleaner, etc.
Normally I wouldn't post an opinion like this because it's guaranteed to piss off about 1/2 the people out there, but you did ask for an opinion "What should I use", so I'm just blatantly giving you mine. Not saying one is "Better" than the other, just an opinion.
Both languages are turing-complete. And both languages allow you to call C code, so the two languages are equally versatile. There's nothing you can do in one of them, which can't, with enough effort, be done in the other as well.
As for efficiency, languages don't have one. A naive compiler will usually generate ridiculously slow code for both languages. What makes them efficient is the extent to which the compiler optimizes the code. And good compilers exist for both languages, meaning that both languages can potentially be very efficient. There are a few areas where Java is, and will always be, at a disadvantage (it has to load a large runtime, so startup costs are higher, for example), but they're the exception, not the rule. In general, both languages can be as efficient as the compiler (or runtime/JIT) allows.
as for which you should use for "general programming", it depends.
Grossly simplified, you might say that:
Java is widely used in application development, where the main task is to present a nice GUI to the user. C++ is often used in high-performance computing, in games (where performance is important, and the developers are conservative and 10-15 behind the rest of the industry), and in big legacy apps.
Ideally, you should know both.
Java is probably going to be most useful if you just want results. If you already knew C++ really well, your productivity wouldn't be too bad. But as a beginning C++ programmer, you'll be spending a lot of time debugging and trying to figure out why your code doesn't do what you thought it'd do.
But most people are going to be more productive in Java.
However, I'd say that C++ is by far a more interesting language to learn. There are more interesting features and ideas in it, there are more things which, once you learn them, you just can't live without. And more concepts that are actually worth learning about, and which will make you a better programmer.
But of course, there are many other options.
If productivity in general apps is your goal, I'd go with Python, not Java.
And if expanding your horizons, and becoming a better programmer is your goal, I'd go with Haskell before C++. Or Scheme. Or Prolog.
Both C++ and Java are, in different ways, showing their age. Java is just embarassingly old-fashioned, clumsy and verbose. Modern languages allow far more concise and expressive code.
C++ is a mess of old and new ideas (but at least the new ideas are in there, unlike in Java), its compilation model is ridiculously inefficient, complicated and error-prone. It's hard to use and the compiler does almost nothing to ensure that your code is correct.
There are plenty of languages to learn. These two old dinosaurs don't have to be your first choices.
For general purpose I would actually use C#.
Between C++ and Java use Java because.
Java IDE's are better than the ones for C++ (Visual and Eclipse treat C++ like an afterthought)
Java is easier to use and has more features than C++
Use C++ if: