Jessehk

As a beginner learning C/C++ (just learning how to make classes), I am deciding my next move.

Shoulde I pursue C++ untill I have a very solid understanding of it, or should I maybe look into another language?

What do you all feel is the better idea?

and finally, which route have you taken? Do you know one language well, or know the basics of many?

Infinite Recursion

functional in many, proficient in a few.

learn c++ to the best of your ability, chances are if you get a job in the field... you will use it.

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"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

BlazingWolf

Both.

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Navid

Drop C and focus on C++, there's no need of C when you got C++ as far as I know.

Navid

Is it possible to actually make a carear by just studing on your own, without going to college? I know it's possible, but very unlikely in my opinion.

Lich

You can, sure. But people want degrees, if you don't have the degree to back things up then there's no measure of your performance (I doubt the employer will take your word for it or want to browse code you've written). That's why i'm getting a degree, skills are nothing nowadays without the paper to back it up.

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Arevos

It's my opinion that to become a good programmer one must get to grips with as many languages as possible, because the way you program is constrained by the language you use. The more languages you know, the less you are constrained and the more you understand about programming in general.

Learning C++ is important, since it's used often commercially. However, I'd be tempted to learn to Python, then Java, then C++. Python because, in my experience at least, it's the easiest language to learn which has a complete object model. Java because it's almost like "C++ Lite" - the syntax is very similar to C++, but Java is easier to get to grips with, and is often used commercially.

However, since you've learnt C already, you could just carry straight on to C++.

DaWei

Learn to design software properly. There is no point in diluting that effort by switching from language to language and fighting syntactical and semantic differences along the way. When you've accomplished that, with whatever language you choose, then you can pick from among other languages according the their strengths in the differing circumstances and applications that you will encounter.

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Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers

Arevos

I disagree. It's certainly more effort to learn several languages, but it my experience it pays off, because it helps you to differentiate between implementation and theory. Some languages also help steer the user into certain good programming practises. Python, for instance, forces indentation upon the user. Java demonstrates the importance of consistant and descriptively named methods. Learning a higher-level language with inbuilt lists and maps (such as Python), also encourages the user to think more about the overall structure of a program, rather than getting bogged down into details.

Learning several languages can also help you to recognise a programming language's quirks and limitations. If you program in one language, you get used to certain artificial constraints, and sometimes even fail to realise they are there. I feel that it's best to avoid bad habits early on, to give a programmer a suitably open outlook from the get-go.

DaWei

Perhaps you are misconstruing what I said. I merely recommend learning to design software first. Any commercially viable language will do. Honing one's skills and widening one's abilities is one's own responsibility. You are, of course, entitled to your own opinion. Many of us who determine the population of the software departments will prefer a solid foundation to a smattering of less fully developed talents. Failure to learn to do those things which lead to a successfully maintainable product (indentation and other forms of adding clarity) will just put one in the unemployment line.

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Abstraction doesn't make it impossible to write bad code; it makes it possible to write superior code.
Contributor's Corner: Grumpy on C++ Exceptions DaWei on Pointers