C# or C++

[Anonymous Barry]

Hi im a uni student studying IT majoring in software development and was wondering which language would be best to specialize in. Originally it was C++ due to the fact i done a year at TAFE studying it and Java, however when i looked around on the net ie seek.com.au, mycareer.com.au, and certification websites, C# was by far more popular. Stupid me thought that because C++ was more advanced and robust then C# it would be wiser instead of going with a simpler drag and drop language that is completely depending on the .Net Framework. So i decided to come here and see what actual programmers think in terms of:

--> Industry Wise (is C# actually used more by business than C++ because of the advantage of having the .Net Framework)
--> Job Wise (i.e. is C++ intended for engineers or experts while C# is for your basic developers)
--> Which language provides you with more potential
or can C++ programmers undertake C# positions since C# is derived from C\C++
and if you know another thread about this topic please post the url.

thanks

[alexis4]

My friend I am no software developer, I am an embedded developer and I use C for years. Recently I learned C# from the internet in my spare time, just to give to my hardware a more "user friendly" interface. It's VERY easy if you have solid C knowledge. So easy, that I started to take desktop applications as well!
BUT...

is C# actually used more by business than C++ because of the advantage of having the .Net Framework

You want to be a software developer or a WINDOWS developer? Recently a client asked me if my application could run on Linux and I said no...
I'm starting to believe that .NET Framework is a disadvantage actually. Great bibliography, webliography, MSDN support but only in windows.
Recently I found out a couple of C# environments in Linux. Unfortunately they have different classes, so I must search again for a while and furthermore I don't know the capabilities of these environments. But it gives to your application the ability to run on all OS, so I will give it a chance.
I have very little knowledge of C++. It's far more difficult than C#.
I am no expert to tell you what to do, I just told you some things I saw out there and I shared these with you.
I hope you 'll take the best decision.

Regards,
Alexis

[Anonymous Barry]

thanks alexis4
Im gonna stick with C++ simply because i think it leaves with more options

[modmans2ndcoming]

.net is not a disadvantage. 90% of the framework is portable. If you stick with developing to mono, and GTK# for the toolkit, then you have an application that will run on any .net 2.0 system with the addition of the gtk# libraries, but you can install those when the program is installed.

[alexis4]

Hi!

I was also talking about mono. You are right I shouldn't use the word "disadvantage" for the framework, but only for VS. Because mono supports cross-platform. Can VS do that?
I will also take a look at the GTK#, thanks for the information.

[Jyoti Ballabh]

C++ obviously, for one it establishes you as an expert and hence more viable as a candidate for placements and jobs. It's the base for the several derivatives.