Programming language flamewar!

  • Thread starter Thread starter dagsverre
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Well for me I really start with BASIC, QBASIC rather cause there wasn't really any other kind of programming I could learn. Since I didn't have any online connection at that time, there was no way i could get programming references of compilers. Buying books on Visual C++ was totally out of my budget.So heck, I found some BASIC books in the local bookstore, and started with QBASIC. QBASIC is excellent except for the stupid ASCII interface that you always have to build.When I got my online connection, I gained the interest in building webpages. But basic HTML wasn't enough for me so I ended up learning Javascript(Note: To those who don't know Javascript is not the same as Java). From reading some online references, I discovered that many guides stated clearly that Java was not the same as Javascript. Curious, I got some references on Java. Later I picked up some learning of Java by source code released by various people. So my Java experience was merely a "see, copy, implement" kind of learning. Java seems quite adaquete for many things, but my lack of depth in this language will only end up it a bad self-opinion.

Lately however, I've entered college and a core subject is Programming in C. Well, I found C quite interesting and easy to understand(don't ask me why, ok? ). Naturally, I've started reading my books faster than the lecturers teach. Hopefully I'll move on to C++ later. To me, C seems like quite a powerful language so, I might stick to it till I find something better.

ficedula : I remember you said you're doing Computer Science ,right? I'm in my Matriculation for IT currently and I'll be done in like 6 1/2 months from now. After that, I need to decide between 2 courses :  diploma in IT or a diploma in Computer Science. Since, you're doing Computer Science, could you give me a briefing on the difference between the both courses and thier job prospects?
 
Well, here in England at any rate, the difference basically is the level and content.Computer Science tends to have quite a bit of maths, hardware, theory, and job skills as well as the software/programming modules.

Software Engineering (and IT, I guess) are more programming without the harder maths/theoritical courses. Some people (my old Computing teacher, for one) consider Software Engineering to be a bit easier and less serious then Comp Sci.
 
Seriously, I also started with LOGO and BASIC back in 1995 when I was in Year 3, no, idea that those were programming. We worked in DOS mode using those 51/2 floppies :D But anyway, the computers were lousy 486-can-go-to-an-antique-store computers as I learned them in school. Only two years ago I realised that BASIC was a programming language in my secondary school's computer lab through Visual Basic. But, I worked hard to study C++ and became not so good at it. So, I dumped the whole programming thing when I got fed up at the errors after debug. And, honestly, I think that Object-oreintated programming is not so good after all as without the object, we are as helpless as someone who is deaf, dumb, blind, without nerves and limbs. Question: How do they insert graphics in ASM?
 
????Most object orientated languages - except pure ones like Java - are just modifications of earlier languages with objects added in. C++ is C with objects, Delphi is Pascal with objects, etc....

So you don't have to use objects in every circumstance - you just have the choice to. You're never at a disadvantage knowing OOP in such a situation, in fact it gives you more options.
 
Ficedula : Thanks for the infoJoey's posts reminds me too. I learnt LOGO in kindergarden. It was so funny went we learnt to move a small triangle all over the screen. BTW, PC's with 5 1/2 floppy drives aren't THAT old! I still have an XT in my home which still works pretty well.

Joey, what did you mean by

"But, I worked hard to study C++ and became not so good at it."

The sentence doesnt make sense. The only sense it makes to me is "non"sense.

Uhm, ficedula is right, C++ is really just an expansion of C. It's stated right here in the title of one of my book's chapters "C++ as a better C". You don't have to use the object oriented feature of C++ if you don't want to. Stick to C if you feel more confortable. Besides, learning a programming language isn't an easy task and you certainly won't succeed by quiting because of errors while debuging your program.
 
The SaiNt : I meant that although I studied hard in C++, I still couldn't make a good program all by my self without someone's help. And you mean that the computers are not so old after all?  But the funniest thing about BASIC is that we were told to make a rocket using ASCII art that zooms up the screen and then disappear. :D
 
Do you guyz think that math skills are necessary to become a good programmer?
 
partly. depends in your area of programming.
ASM will need maths, but vb and c++ only need it if your gonna minipulate files and do 2d/3d drawing/graphics
 
I think what Skillster meant by draw means plotting co-ordinates on the screen and actually simulating the process of "drawing" a picture.
 
correct,
that is in fact the only way to 'draw', unless you pre render something, and then load it up and display it.
 
Fice, thanks for you advice on the difference between Computer Science and IT.
Anyway, I came across a section of my IT book while studying for my IT test which happens to be tomorrow that states the differences in Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Information Systems / Information Technology.Computer Engineering
--------------------
Computer Engineering degrees require a good apititude for engineering, math, and electronics. Career opportunities for Computer Engineering graduates focus on the design of computer hardware and peripheral devices, often at the chip level.

Computer Science
----------------
Computer Science degrees require a goop apititude in math and computer programming. The main object of study in a computer science is the digital computer, and the main objective is to make the computer work effectively and efficiently. Computer Science Graduates generally find entry-level jobs as programmers with good possiblities for advancement to software engineers, object-oriented/GUI developers, and project leaders in technical applications development.

Information Systems / Information Technology
--------------------------------------------
Information Systems degree programmes focus on the application of computers in a business or organizational enviroment. Coursework in business, accounting, computer programming, communications, systems analysis, and human psychology is usually required. For students who want to become computer professionals but lack strong math apititude, most academic advisors recommend the information systems degree. An information systems degree usually leads to an entry-level programming or PC support job with good possibilities for advancement to systems analyst, project manager, database administrator, network manager, or other management positions.

So, it looks like I'll be choosing Computer Science but only time will tell.
Fice, would you mind telling me about your course structure and since you're from UK, could you tell me about the Universities in UK that deal with IT / Computer Science degrees?

Thanks!
 
Sure thing. It'll have to wait until tomorrow morning tho since I'm in desperate need of food at the moment, and it'd be a kinda long message.
 
I'm shooting for Computer Science, (preferably a career in the PC Games industry), but math is starting to come hard for me. I don't know if it'll work out, but I can hope. I was doing fine until I hit Algebra II in 8th grade. Took me all year to finish it, instead of just the school year. Next year I started Pre-Calc. I'm still doing Pre-Calc, and it's more than a year later.
 
Computer science sounds like the only really interesting of those in my opinion.
Of course, all people are different, and what fits for me etc. etc.
 
hold on, i like computer hardware AND software, so im stuck for choice between engineering and computer science...
hmm.
 
Uhm Fice, you still haven't told me about your course structure and the Universities in UK that deal with IT / Computer Science degrees?
 
Sorry, here goes.First of all, bear in mind I can only tell you about what I know. Don't take what I'm saying as the best guide to UK CS courses  :)

I think lots of the uni's do CS courses, under one name or another. The best way to find out who does CS is the UCAS book - that lists every course that every uni does.

The first thing to be aware of is that (when I was applying, anyway) about 50% of the uni's require you to have passed A-Level maths, or an equivalent. You do need it on my course, at least, I suspect others are probably the same. Few unis (about 10%) require you to have done A-Level Computing. If you have it's probably an advantage, but no more than if you've done programming in your own time before. Basically, if you've done some programming before, especially if it's OOP, then the course shouldn't be *too* bad.

I think you'll find most uni's use either Java or C++ as the main language. That's not to say you won't use other languages (I'm currently using Java, C, C++, Assembler and SML) but that's the one the larger projects will be done in. Java is becoming more popular now, C++ isn't used quite so much.

As for *which* uni to go for, well, that depends where you live and what grades you're expecting to get. Warwick, where I'm at now, typically asks for AAB (and like a lot of places, they don't accept General Studies). Then again, Warwick is supposed to be the top CS course in the country (whether it actually is or not, I couldn't really say. Everybody agrees it's top 3 anyway.)

However, don't make the mistake of assuming the grade requirements *just* reflect the difficulty and quality of the course. Nottingham is supposed to be one of the best uni's for CS, just behind Warwick, and it only asks for 24pts (BBB) (only! still high, but a fair step down from Warwick, even though the course is almost the same).

In my personal opinion, Warwick and Nottingham are damn good for computing (Warwick especially - but I would say that!) but you need the grades to get in. Other uni's I applied to were Aston, which has a good reputation. I would have applied to Exeter, which is also good, but it's too far south for me.

Now, as for course content: I can only tell you about my course, but I suspect others will be similar.
Each year, you have to do at least 120 CATS worth of work. In my first year, this was:

Maths for CS                    24 CATS
Computer Organis'n/Architecture 24 CATS
Discrete Maths I                12 CATS
Introduction to programming     12 CATS
Practice of Writing in CS       6 CATS
Functional Programming          12 CATS
Design of Info. Structures      12 CATS
Professional Ethics             6 CATS
Programming Lab                 12 CATS

Plus one option from:
Statistics
Discrete Maths II
Mathematical Programming
Something else I can't remember.


If you have any more question (you probably will!) feel free to ask.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top