c++ vs. java
 

I'm new to computer programming and i only know HTML but i want to take it to the next level,and i've been reading some tutorials about java and so far i like the sound of it. But are there any advantages c++ has over java? because it seems as if more people prefer c++ for whatever reason. but being c++ is quite a bit older is it worth learning or will it be out of date in a couple years?

Re: c++ vs. java
 

Imcomparable.

Re: c++ vs. java
 

Java and C++ are very comparable. I suggest you use google to look up some more thorough information. In general, Java is a less powerful (in both speed an expressiveness) language but easier to use language. C++ gains power and expressiveness at the cost of complexity. C++ won't be going out of date anytime soon because its still one of the best languages for performance critical systems (Like all the cutting edge video games on your hard drive).

For a learner I would pick Java over C++, but I would say that Python is a better starter language than either of those.

Re: c++ vs. java
 

>Java and C++ are very comparable.
Not without an application on which to compare them. Language comparisons are generally useless out of context, and the context is any project where both are viable options.

Re: c++ vs. java
 

With C++, you will spend most of your time learning the intricacies of the language and the standard libraries.

With Java, you will be able to focus on OOP concepts and program design.

It is also worth mentioning that there are numerous facets of C++ that are simply not present in Java. For example, all variables (with the exception of basic types) are references in Java; in C++, a variable can be a pointer, reference, or an object itself.

Re: c++ vs. java
 

In partial response to titaniumdecoy: If you do learn Java, I'd recommend learning the standard libraries for it too. There's a lot of useful classes out there.

Re: c++ vs. java
 

Thanks to all of you that posted,the information you guys provided has helped out tons. I've decided i'd rather learn c++ and i'm up for the challenge which should keep my interest.

thanks

Re: c++ vs. java
 

I've found that because many of the simplifications in Java make it cumbersome to express certain things, in some ways it's a harder language to use.

@OP: Language comparisons are often biased, so when you ask for such a comparison, especially when you phrase it in an adversarial manner, you probably won't receive productive replies. I'm not a big fan of Java, myself, but that is all it is- personal opinion. Different languages are better suited to different things; after all, if one language was invariably the best, everyone would just use that.

As for a starting out language, I've heard good things about Python, though I've never used it. My recommendation, if you're looking to write Windows-based programs, would be C# (C sharp). It's basically Microsoft's answer to Java, except that the language is more akin to C++ than Java when it comes to expressiveness. Many of the 'syntactic sugar' aspects of C#, such as properties and operator overloading, make it possible to write much clearer code. Also, the .NET Framework classes offer a lot of functionality, and I prefer them to the Java API (which in many ways bears warts from previous versions, or Java's restrictive syntax).

Re: c++ vs. java
 

I know English pretty well, but I am ready to take it to the next level. Are there any advantages Japanese has over French?

Re: c++ vs. java
 

> But are there any advantages c++ has over java?
Why did you choose the C++ forum to ask this on, as opposed to the Java forum?
It seems to me that you've already selected the answer you want, and are just looking for additional confirmation of your choice from others who are bound to say "x is better than y".

> but being c++ is quite a bit older is it worth learning or will it be out of date in a couple years?
You can predict with a very good probability how long something will last, simply from knowing how old it is (would you bet the pyramids in Egypt will be destroyed in your lifetime?). How many "it's the best thing" languages have appeared and sank without a trace since say Fortran and COBOL emerged.

C++ certainly isn't going to vanish in a couple of years, and will certainly manage a good chunk of your career.

You may as well learn both, so the only real choice is which one you learn first. As Narue hinted, languages are just tools to get things done. Part of being a good developer is knowing which tool(s) to use for the job.

Knowing only one language is like being a carpenter with only a hammer. Sure you can shape wood, but it ain't a pretty sight.