[ale] flip flopping on programming, now interested in c++

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Hi all,

Some of you that have read my posts in the past probably know that I've been threatening to relearn programming after being out of it for many years. I've also been waffling on the language of choice. I was really close to carrying out my threat to learn something, and was about to focus on Java, and even register for some classes. I realized a few things that prompted me to shift again.

The two primary things I like about Java are the fact that it's what is used to program Android, although it may be somewhat nonstandard, and that it has built in memory management. The main things I don't like about it are the requirement to use the Java interpreter (JVM) and the difficulty (if it's even possible) of creating an executable file.

I began to realize that the use cases for Java, are something I don't want to make my career on. I've observed three main uses.

A) Website design and programming. As a programmer, I would have to worry about compatibility with 4-8 major browsers and probably 4-8 old versions of each. Combine that with security risks like SQL injection, and people like me who don't allow scripting on their browsers at all for sites not specifically trusted, and I realized that I don't want to be dealing with this hassle.

B) In the past, a popular use for Java was desktop applications, downloaded and not driven from a website. I think this is greatly diminishing, as many people such as myself, are considering uninstalling Java altogether because of security risks. Career wise, I don't think this has great promise.

C) The third use for Java is Android programming. This, I would potentially be interested in. However, I don't know how much of a profitable career path that would be.

I'm shifting my focus back to C++. Based on my reading, I don't like some of the features of C++. In particular, I don't like the numerous documented bear traps that the programmer can fall into regarding pointers and memory management. However, I do like the types of things that C++ is being used for. Almost all these are something I would be interested in doing. I really want to be able to program machines, like robots, solar energy control systems, industrial controls, building automation, etc. Things like game programming could also be appealing.

So, when it actually comes down to paying for education and taking classes, I think I'll be taking some C++ classes next year after getting a prerequisite course out of the way. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend other resources that would help me. I'm thinking I'll use the G++ compiler. I think it runs either in Linux or Windows but I would have to confirm that. I'll probably use GVim for my initial editor. I'm looking for a middle of the road IDE, similar to what NetBeans would do for Java. I've pretty much concluded that Eclipse is too complicated for me to try to be learning at the same time I'm learning the programming language. If anyone has any suggestions for resources, IDE's, user groups, online groups, etc., I'd appreciate knowing about them. I always prefer things that can run on either Linux or Windows (up to Win7). I doubt I'll ever own a Mac, unless I have money to burn and need it for some reason, and I doubt I'll be upgrading to Windows 8 and the "Metro" interface.

I've already picked up the book Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 1 Hour per Day, and plan to be working through that prior to getting into the formal classroom. I'd prefer any resources I use to be compatible with the C++11 standard that was approved last year.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Sincerely,

Ron



--

Sent from my Android Acer A500 tablet with bluetooth keyboard and K-9 Mail.
Please excuse my potential brevity.

(To whom it may concern. My email address has changed. Replying to former
messages prior to 03/31/12 with my personal address will go to the wrong
address. Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone. I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such. I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O) Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com
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