Most useful/employable programming language?

[Rizzo]

I was hoping to get some input into which language people think is the most useful in the real world, what's most likely to get me a job if I'm proficient in it?
I studied some computer science at university and can code reasonably well in Java but that's about it. I understand the fundamentals of coding, classes, objects and so on.
So punkas, where should I go from here? I've got a couple of books on VBA and SQL sitting next to me which I'll have a read of.

[steeltoedsneakers]

Perl looks applicable to real life:

[MuscleMan]

sas is used alot here. (bank)

[ruff]

C# within a .NET framework.

[Tacotistk]

I saw a fat dude in a garish tie-dyed MS .NET t-shirt yesterday.

and no, fuckers, it wasn't me.

[bridge.]

sas is used alot here. (bank)

SAS is for fags.

[Matt]

Yeah, I think it comes down to what sort of thing you want to be developing. Programming languages are suited to different applications. At my work, we use all kinds of different stuff depending on the project - and normally the ability to understand concepts and make design decisions are more valuable than knowing how to do a particular task in a specific language.

If it's just "I want a job/money", I'd say Jay's advice on checking job web sites seems to be the most sound.

If you're comfortable with Java, you'll probably find C and C++ easy to pick up - might be worth skimming through a textbook on them and then you can add them to your CV. And you might as well write down VB on it now, as if you ever have to prove it, you'll be able to pick it up in an afternoon.

[snuff]

Sound advice Matt, good way to spend your arvo...

[Rizzo]

To learn "1337 linux h4x" would you recommend just smashing around in linux for a while or something more structured? Cause I use ubuntu on occasion but haven't delved especially deeply.

[Matt]

Fucked if I know - I've had bugger all to do with Linux, I'm afraid!

[ruff]

Linux is a command line OS and you should learn it that way.

Start with the basics and learn to create / move files and folders, permissions, searches, user rights, master Emacs or VI basic stuff that most people claiming to be a Linux user would know fuck all about. Move to Shell Scripting - how to create / run scripts.

Once you have that shit mastered Linux is piss easy and you'll know more that 90% of the self-proclaimed linux experts.

You said you wanted to learn a programming language though?

[Rizzo]

Well, anything that makes me a more marketable IT person. All the customer service jobs I've had have been rubbish where as the tech ones have been interesting and challenging so I think I'd rather end up in that industry until I go back to uni in a year or two.

[Rizzo]

Well, I have a degree in Psychology with a minor in Computer science. I've worked on a helpdesk for nearly 2 years doing broadband support (e.g. useless), can code in java, can do hardware and basic networking. I suppose I probably want a support or programming job.

[Rizzo]

I don't know! I don't really know what networking entails. I'll have a look on the .govt careers site, see if it has any info.

[sneakers o'toole]

On the same subject sort of, what university out of AUT and UoA would you recommend for a IT degree and career ?

[Rizzo]

So I wound up going back to uni in 2012 and doing mechatronic engineering and am now a robotics engineer. I spend most of my days doing weird programming stuff in c++/python. I guess everything worked out!

[snuff]

Nice, I picked up python last year as well useful as fuck.

[Dead Kid]

Sweeeet. If Python isn't the correct answer to this thread by now it probably should be. And surely it's about time C++ was replaced with D or something.

I'm a diehard C# user for desktop stuff though.

[snuff]

Yeah I use C# at home and Python/IronPython for work.

[Rizzo]

I've never used it. I assume it's just C with some OO shit bolted on in a slightly less overloaded manner than C++?
I haven't found a programming language I actually like as yet, I'm most familiar with C/C++ and Python but christ if I don't hate them all in their own ways. I wouldn't mind learning Go but I barely have time to keep up with what I already know.

[Dead Kid]

C# is basically Microsoft's answer to Java so it's more similar to that than C++. It makes Java look a bit wordy and convoluted. I don't miss Java at all.