What language should I start learning?

[fscopel]

The eternal question...
What language should I dedicate the beginning/most of my career to?

It seems pretty obvious that most programmers can code in more than one language, but they are more fluent in one than the other. I have some knowledge in VB .Net but I am just starting. This is a very general question so I’ll make it very specific, just like the way we like it.

What I really need to know, from you guys, programmers for many many years, is:
What are the main questions you wish you had asked yourself before making your choice of language ?

Please reorganize the options below with the higher importance from the top down for a successful career:

1 – Choose the language that is most needed, therefore pays the most
2 – Choose the language that is the easiest/most comfortable to me
3- Choose by market (business apps “.Net”, Game apps “C++”, scientific area “C”) - more jobs for bussiness apps... and so on

Please feel free to enter anything else you thing is crucial for a successful career in your thoughts.

Thank you

[ashitpro]

The eternal question...
What language should I dedicate the beginning/most of my career to?

It seems pretty obvious that most programmers can code in more than one language, but they are more fluent in one than the other. I have some knowledge in VB .Net but I am just starting. This is a very general question so I’ll make it very specific, just like the way we like it.

What I really need to know, from you guys, programmers for many many years, is:
What are the main questions you wish you had asked yourself before making your choice of language ?

Please reorganize the options below with the higher importance from the top down for a successful career:

1 – Choose the language that is most needed, therefore pays the most
2 – Choose the language that is the easiest/most comfortable to me
3- Choose by market (business apps “.Net”, Game apps “C++”, scientific area “C”) - more jobs for bussiness apps... and so on

Please feel free to enter anything else you thing is crucial for a successful career in your thoughts.

Thank you

Your three choices doesn't make much sense to me.
Languages are mostly depend on the domain you are working.
Decide which domain you like to work in, language is secondary thing.
Personally I am linux kernel freak, I love to work with system programming.
My current work is under network security.
So naturally C/C++ comes into the picture. Because they are best suitable languages for this domain. I am working in C/C++ and assembly for many years, cause again they support my domain of interest.

If somebody like web development then he should go for PHP, server pages technologies, .NET platform etc

[weaknessforcats]

1 – Choose the language that is most needed, therefore pays the most
2 – Choose the language that is the easiest/most comfortable to me
3- Choose by market (business apps “.Net”, Game apps “C++”, scientific area “C”) - more jobs for bussiness apps... and so on

I'm not sure these categories are correct.

1) The language that is most needed will have the most programmers and that will depress salaries.
2) Taking the easy way out guarantees the lowest possible salary. Nobody pays for simple work.
3) Choosing by market means you are not choosing your interests. I guarantee that before long your choice based on market will sour as you see your interests unfulfilled.

Personally, I would not worry about salary. Instead, focus on something you really like to do and be the best possible expert in that field that you are capable of. That is, become a SME (subject matter expert). The money will follow.

For example a good C++ developer needs to know C++. Then the developer need to know object technology. At this point you have a expert that can't do anything. There has to be an application area (the domain) where this knowledge can be applied. This application knowledge is very hard to come by. You will always be better off knowing an application area and then learning programming instead of the other way around.

[fscopel]

Thank you for your response. It seems that the best approch is to find my passion and go from there. I find C++ and assembly language very interresting, with the little I know about it at least. The fact that I will be able to bring a machine to its knees, or maybe the other way arounb , :), sounds very good.

Thank you.

[fscopel]

For example a good C++ developer needs to know C++. Then the developer need to know object technology. At this point you have a expert that can't do anything. There has to be an application area (the domain) where this knowledge can be applied. This application knowledge is very hard to come by. You will always be better off knowing an application area and then learning programming instead of the other way around.

Both of you guys went on saying about the same thing. Find my passion and go from there. It sounds like good advice. So I think I am on the right track. I am experimenting with C++, VB .Net. I also am a beginner at Linux and I like the idea of freedom from Microsoft.

Thank you for your response

[fscopel]

Your three choices doesn't make much sense to me.
Languages are mostly depend on the domain you are working.
Decide which domain you like to work in, language is secondary thing.
Personally I am linux kernel freak, I love to work with system programming.
My current work is under network security.
So naturally C/C++ comes into the picture. Because they are best suitable languages for this domain. I am working in C/C++ and assembly for many years, cause again they support my domain of interest.

If somebody like web development then he should go for PHP, server pages technologies, .NET platform etc

Thank you for your response. It seems that the best approch is to find my passion and go from there. I find C++ and assembly language very interresting, with the little I know about it at least. The fact that I will be able to bring a machine to its knees, or maybe the other way arounb , :), sounds very good.

Thank you.