Which programming language is easiest to get a junior position in?

Question

I do not have a CS degree but I have lots of intermediate experience with many languages (PHP, C#, Objective-C, Java, VBScript, Actionscript, Javascript, Ruby, etc), mostly freelance or pastime. I have a little experience with Linux (Ubuntu), and a decent bit with Windows. When I look at different languages I find that am interested in most (except maybe VB), but I am not sure what to focus on. So what would be the easiest language to get a job in? Java? PHP? Or would it be easier to get a job as a Junior DBA if I learned Oracle or SQL Server in my spare time?

Answer 1

The one you know best.

Seriously, AFAIK C# and Java are the two heavy-hitters. VB.NET, Ruby, and PHP come after that in terms of adoption and skillset demand.

If you want to be a software developer, do that. Don't get a DBA job as a lead-in to development.

Answer 2

Job perspectives, career opportunities and salary - this is all very much region dependent.

Picking a technology you have the most proficiency in would allow you to apply for higher-level jobs.

Another considerations, is that the older and more wide-spread some technology is, the more competition and less salary you're going to have. On the other hand, there will be plenty jobs for it as well.

Have a look at career sites for your region and estimate the amount of jobs and the salaries. This will lead you further in your considerations.

Answer 3

I think you're maybe asking the wronq question. What interests you? What are you drawn to? Where are your strengths? It's possible to have a job that absolutely sucks, in the language that is all the rage. And it's possible to get excellent experience in problem analysis and good coding practice in languages that are not necessarily the ones that offer the eaiest route into development..

Answer 4

Traditional advice is to pick an area of knowledge not a language/technology.

So web frameworks come and go, but web development and back end server are pretty much the same techniques. Same with graphics, OpenGL/C++ one year, DirectX then Flash then C#/Wpf the next - but knowing a view matrix from a lighting normal stays the same.

Answer 5

To be honest, forget about the "go with what makes you feel best" type answers, because they don't really reflect reality.

You are unlikely to get a position just dealing in one of the scripting languages (maybe you will with Javascript). If you want a development career, then go with a big-hitter type language like C#/Java, where entire applications are crafted in that language. What is also important is knowledge of the technologies as used with that language (ASP.NET, JavaBeans, webservices, etc).

As @DevArt said, it is going to vary by region. CHeck the local job ads of where you want to work - if your skillset fits then great, start applying. If you skillset doesn't fit, then either move to somewhere where it does, or do some training and get more skilled up.

Answer 6

Perhaps our company can be used as an example. We are a $2.5B thin film solar company. One of the largest in the world. We cannot find enough talented folks who are good in C#, SQL Server, Business Intelligence, mobile development and general software architecture.

We're not so much interested in what type of degree someone has. We just interested in folks who have proven experience in the disciplines mentioned above.

Answer 7

I would say PHP is pretty easy for taking up as the first programming language but I would always suggest to go with C as it will teach some of the basic fundamentals of programming.