For the I.T. geeks of Warpath: Which programming languages are dead?

[skinsguy]

So about ten years ago, I decided to go back to school and get my degree in Information Technology/programming. During my years at college, I was exposed to several programming languages: HTML (which I had learned on my own,) JavaScript, C#, and Java (which I had a hard time with.)

My present I.T. position is with a non-profit agency (so pay is low) and I haven't had to do any programming in awhile. When I had first gotten hired, my boss wanted me to learn this old, antiquated database programming language called "Clipper". It was the hardest thing for me to learn, because the code seemed like "spaghetti code" (programmers will know what I mean by that.) After a few years, we decided to go with an outside vendor for our software, so my I.T. duties relegated back to supporting the vendor software and other miscellaneous computer stuff.

So now, my girlfriend and I are talking marriage and I will probably move to where she lives, which has more job opportunities than where I am currently living. I would like to get back into programming, but I'm not sure which programming languages are being used the most. I am more willing to go back and refresh my memory with languages that I already sort of know, rather than to have to learn a brand new programming language. I enjoy more web-based programming than anything else, which means I'd probably at least need to learn ASP or AJAX if I were to land a job with that.

But, for any of you guys who might be in the know, which programming languages are hot right now? Which ones are pretty much useless nowadays?

[Monkeydad]

I used to be an expert in BASIC, QBASIC, also used Visual BASIC and Pascal fairly proficiently and dabbled in Fortran, COBOL and C+. I wrote some really useful BASIC programs and made games with some impressive (at that time) graphics. Made a field goal kicking game with graphics better than the original Madden, as well as a golf game.


That was a long, LONG time ago, back in the DOS days. Bet they're all dead now.

I'm guessing Java and HTML are the "hot" ones now. I'm not into programming really anymore. Also, could open source systems like Linux and all of its children be considered programming?

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Buster

I used to be an expert in BASIC, QBASIC, also used Visual BASIC and Pascal fairly proficiently and dabbled in Fortran, COBOL and C+. I wrote some really useful BASIC programs and made games with some impressive (at that time) graphics. Made a field goal kicking game with graphics better than the original Madden, as well as a golf game.


That was a long, LONG time ago, back in the DOS days. Bet they're all dead now.

I'm guessing Java and HTML are the "hot" ones now. I'm not into programming really anymore. Also, could open source systems like Linux and all of its children be considered programming?

Well, if you're building a Linux distro, yeah it would be considered programming, but I would think that Linux is more or less something from the non-profits who are funded by different grants and agencies....especially since the large majority of its operating systems and programs are free.

I have been going back and doing some javascripting...I had forgotten a lot of it, but it's fairly simple to do javascripting....AJAX programming goes along with javascript. Java was tough for me to learn for some reason. I guess I never got the "class" concept down, but if I ever became and expert with java, I'd probably have several programming jobs to choose from.

With HTML, I feel like just about anybody could learn that. I picked up on HTML even before I ever considered getting into "computers".

[FRPLG]

There's always a need for .NET and PeopleSoft developers.

AJAX really isn't a language more than an approach.

The money is in security and db administration though.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Well, if you're building a Linux distro, yeah it would be considered programming, but I would think that Linux is more or less something from the non-profits who are funded by different grants and agencies....especially since the large majority of its operating systems and programs are free.

I have been going back and doing some javascripting...I had forgotten a lot of it, but it's fairly simple to do javascripting....AJAX programming goes along with javascript. Java was tough for me to learn for some reason. I guess I never got the "class" concept down, but if I ever became and expert with java, I'd probably have several programming jobs to choose from.

With HTML, I feel like just about anybody could learn that. I picked up on HTML even before I ever considered getting into "computers".

Learning OOP is going to be a key.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

Learning OOP is going to be a key.

Can I teach myself Peoplesoft at home? I really don't feel like taking a class for it (not even sure if they have a class at the local college.)

I know I need to go back and dive back into Java....I just wished it had came a little easier for me when I was taking the class back in college.

[tryfuhl]

Sharepoint is big right now

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Sharepoint is big right now

Yeah...sharepoint is a current good one. Not sure about it's longevity though.

[KLHJ2]

Personally I wouldn't worry about the individual languages, I would pay more attention to the most successful tools. Pay more attention to which applications are most frequently used by the most successfull tools and learn the most popular language used within those. Job opportunities will always be there and you will always have plenty of work.

I personally do not depend on a specific programing language to be successfull, but I keep myself current on what languages and tools are out there. Overall keeping up with trends keeps me employed and abreast. If I do have to make an adjustment to market demands I can.

Long story short...learn them all and continue learning.

[tryfuhl]

So true.. have to stay up on what's out there to survive

[cpayne5]

Don't worry about specific languages or technologies. Become a good programmer (clean, fast, accurate) by learning concepts and good practices (and the ability to execute).

A good programmer is not one who can recite syntax rules or reference some obscure API, but one who thinks logically and in little time can become proficient in any language.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Don't worry about specific languages or technologies. Become a good programmer (clean, fast, accurate) by learning concepts and good practices (and the ability to execute).

A good programmer is not one who can recite syntax rules or reference some obscure API, but one who thinks logically and in little time can become proficient in any language.

See, that's kind of what I'm thinking! Instead of worrying about having to learn the latest and greatest thing, I'm thinking I just need to brush up on my programming skills and if I master any one language, it's because I understand the logic and can see the program in my head just like a flow chart.

That's sort of why I have been going back and trying to refresh my memory with the languages that I have already been familiar with. At least I've seen the syntax before, so I can concentrate more on the logic flow.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Don't worry about specific languages or technologies. Become a good programmer (clean, fast, accurate) by learning concepts and good practices (and the ability to execute).

A good programmer is not one who can recite syntax rules or reference some obscure API, but one who thinks logically and in little time can become proficient in any language.

This! This is the most important things. If you know how to program, you can become proficient in a language in a very short period of time.

That said, if you're looking for something right now, you'll most likely end up using Java. That's not a 100% guarantee, but that seems to be where a lot of jobs are atm.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by jdlea

This! This is the most important things. If you know how to program, you can become proficient in a language in a very short period of time.

That said, if you're looking for something right now, you'll most likely end up using Java. That's not a 100% guarantee, but that seems to be where a lot of jobs are atm.

I've noticed that too. I was downloading all the stuff last night that I needed to start back with my Java programming again. I didn't do so well in it in college, so it's sort of a goal of mine to master it.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Don't worry about specific languages or technologies. Become a good programmer (clean, fast, accurate) by learning concepts and good practices (and the ability to execute).

A good programmer is not one who can recite syntax rules or reference some obscure API, but one who thinks logically and in little time can become proficient in any language.

+1. I would just like to add that it's good to know the Java/.NET API...you don't have to all the minute details but you do have to know what threads, streams, collection classes, etc are and how to use them. These are things you are expected to be able to use on a white-board test!

Become good at the basics first, then proficient at the details. After that it's smooth sailing whatever language you use...a for-loop is still a for-loop.