Would it be wise

to learn all the C languages (C, C++ and C#). I am doing C++, but wonder if I should just do them all or learing one of them is just as good. I am not sure where to go with my career path as yet, I just know I want to do programming, through freelancing/self-employment or contracts. (I am looking into Database programming too).

re: Would it be wise

I know that quite a lot of people will disagree with me but a thorough understanding
of the C language is a solid basis for further knowledge. C is no more and no less
than a structured assembly language and quite a clever one. If you really understand
C you can almost see the machine code shining through the C source code.

C also helps you to understand what C++ is all about; internally that is; you'll
understand 'this pointers' and virtual function tables etc. etc. C# is not much
different (nor is Java btw) so my advice is to work your way up and only step
further after you've thoroughly understood the current step.

Database programming (SQL?) is an entirely different cup of tea.

kind regards,

Jos

re: Would it be wise

Yes, I do disagree with JosAH.

The most important thing is the application. That is, the subject of your programming. Are you doing finance? Of so, are you an accountant? Are you doing graphic design? Are you a graphic designer? Are you buildiong web site? Are you a web site developer?

etc...

Anyone can learn C, C++, C#, Java. It takes about a year to get good at any one of these. However, with no place to use your knowledge, you will just forget everything. You simply have to apply application knowledge. Application knowledge (sometimes called "background") can take years to acquire.

In my case, I have been a C++ instructor for many years. I know C++ syntax. However, I don't know how to apply C++, in say, designing a Boeing 787. There's a little aeronautical backgound that I am missing. So I teach C++ to the engineers. I give them complete understanding of C++ but I havent't a clue what their programs do.

So, have you asked yourself what it is that youe would like to do?

re: Would it be wise

Another thing that people fail to realize (at least when first starting) is that programming isn't dependent on a language. Language is a tool, you don't build a house with a hammer and a pile of wood, you first go out and learn about house building. C/C++ is as much about programming as a hammer and nail is about carpentry.

You can learn to be a programmer without learning a specific language.

However, now that you have good theoretical understanding of programming you have to somehow translate that into something useful if you want a job, that is where the knowledge of a language comes in.

re: Would it be wise

Yup, languages are a tool and nothing more.

If you are interested in database programming and thus business logic, i would say, start with c# or java

Both of these languages have many similarities with c/c++ and come with a whole bunch of features that allow you actually learn the language rather than spending all the time to getting it to work.

Once you know the basic fundamentals of programming, you can move to other languages like C in no time at all.

One other reason for recommending C# first is that object oriented paradigm is conceptually harder to understand than procedural (C)

Also, you can apply and start building programs in C# and Java sooner than C

re: Would it be wise

People like me. No, C is not needed to understand another language, just as much as you do not need to drive old cars to understand how new cars work. It may actually be detrimental. C is devoid of modern C++ semantics and teaches you the wrong programming style. I’m not going to type up an entire article on why learning C first is flawed, just know that there is a valid reason why a majority of people oppose learning C first.

My advice: play around with Python, or C#. Python is very versatile, and C# is also a good language. You can make various applications with them, and touch web development with either. If you don’t know what you really want to do with programming, they are great languages to start with (actually, they are great languages to start with regardless).

OOP and Procedural are not orthogonal. You’re welcome to demonstrate non-trivial OO code that does not involve any procedural code.
 

re: Would it be wise

Sorry I took so long to answer back, my internet was down, had to replace the cable modem.

Just to note C++ was the first language I ever programmed in and the reason I stayed in CIS that is why I wanted to start with it first it is the language I got more practice in. The problem I have is finding out how to use it in the real world, but that is a next topic I will post. I will try the c# and pyton next.

On the subject on what I may want to do, I am thinking to do freelance computer programming/contracts. I also don't mind teaching a language at a school or university. I don't care about stuff like benefits as I have those thing with my husband job. I like the flexiblity of the jobs above at least until I finish w/ children and they are in school, I hope I am not looking for too much.

re: Would it be wise

what i meant was it is a lot easier to explain what '#include' does than what 'class' does...and a lot easier to learn too