Hi,
I am a C# developer. In my current job, I am learning a mix of Java and related languages (Clojure etc).
How beneficial is it to a career learn Java too? Has anyone been in this position? Any examples of the benefits?
Thanks
+2
A:
It all really depends on where you want to take your career....
Personally I would try and stick to a few technologies, I am keeping towards all things microsoft, so .net, silverlight, wpf, wcf etc Which in itself is a massive skill set...
I would be afraid if I tried to spread myself too thin I would become mediocre at a lot of things and master at nothing.
It is of course entirely upto you, this is just my opinion.
jimplode
2010-09-26 21:43:43
I agree with the above. In fact, I've tried Java but I still prefer C#. I just think it would help my next job hunt if I struggled to get a job. In fact, I really want to take my career into Sharepoint.
dotnetdev
2010-09-26 21:46:23
A:
As a C# developer it is more beneficial to learn more about Microsoft technologies like Silverlight WPF, WCF, Sharepoint development, BizTalk, SQL-Server etc. Rates for Sharepoint development/consulting are for example much higher than for pure .NET development.
There are very few projects where C# and Java skills are an advantage. You get C# jobs or java jobs. Both java and .NET worlds are very complex, I think it is not possible to stay up to date in both technologies.
elsni
2010-09-26 21:48:40
+1
A:
As a programmer you should always expand your knowledge and keep up to date, is very beneficial to learn a new language, especially java wich is a language widely used and popular, if you learn java and you already know C# you will have access to more jobs, and a better salary. Another benefit of learning a new language is that you'll have more tools to face your professional challenges.
RRUZ
2010-09-26 21:49:43
+2
A:
Peeking at your profile - I think it could be beneficial to you. Knowing more languages widens your horizons, and makes you 'a better coder' - even in your fluent languages. I'd question whether Java is the best branch out from C# though - its neither that different, or complementary, and a great deal of what there is to learn is just nuts and bolts and APIs.
Employers know what skills they need, and Java, like C#, is often core to those requirements. Knowing a little of one when you are strong in the other might come in handy. I'd be wary of claiming to be strong in both though unless you achieve that - be realistic.
(There's a job on careers.stackoverflow.com at the moment that is an example of one requiring Java and C# - so they do come up.)
martin clayton
2010-09-26 21:51:14