C/C++ question...

[evo4ever]

Hey guys. My girst post in here so here goes...

Ive currently decided to learn yet another language (currently know PHP and Java)

I've looked at C and C++. Which one is:

The power
The fastest
The stablest
The Easiest

Im sure I wont have any problems learning any of them becuase knowing Java for 5 years will give me a huge understanding leap. So which would YOU recommend? C or C++? Thx.

[SensualSandwich]

I would say learn C++. C is a bit dated compared to its successor C++.

[evo4ever]

Thanks. I was thinking C++ aswel. What about C#? Is that just a server-side language for ASP?

[SensualSandwich]

Heres a link to Microsoft's product overview of C#:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vcsharp/productinfo/overview/default.asp

I would say that if you dont have a very specific need for it, then dont learn it.

[Tracer]

My vote is C++

C is pretty dated....Not that there still isn't a demand for persons whom know dated languaged (american express still writes almost all it's enterprise stuff in COBOL)....

And if you really know JAVA well it shouldn't be too bad.

[Weedpacket]

I'd actually suggest C.

C++ is a fair sight hairier and not quite so well-standardised (ANSI C++ has not yet really caught on the way ANSI C has). As the creator of C++ said, "Within C++, there is a much smaller and cleaner language struggling to get out."

C is a strict subset of C++ and hence a simpler language to learn. Following on from that, anything you learn in C can be applied directly in C++.

C++ adds object-orientation to C; "learning C++" will teach you that particular implementation of the OO paradigm (modulo which version of C++ you're using), but won't teach any more about the whys and wherefores of the paradigm than any other OO language. In fact, since C++ has some unorthodox ideas about OO, and is really just "C with OO slapped on top", it may be more difficult to come to grips with OO programming in C++ than it would in language that has more fundamental support such as Python, Smalltalk, Java or Eiffel. And if you're not going to go for OO programming, then C++ without OO is just C.

The talk that "C is dated" in my opinion doesn't really have much validity. There are two types of fool. The first type says "This is old and therefore good." The other says "This is new and therefore better." So I ask, "So it's something like thirty years old. So what?" The fact that it's still being used to write operating systems suggests that a better language for that job hasn't come along.

[planetsim]

Well it depends on the type of application your gonna wanna make. Like said before C and C++ are pretty much the same. C++ just has its extended sections which can enable faster and neater looking code.

But i started off with C++ its kinda hard to grasp, so im thinking of starting again except in C, then go from there.

C# on the other hand is a more Advanced version of the C language. Now C# is basically OOP but very fast.

I probably suggest unless you have OOP Knowledge in any other Language you should start with C thats what ill be doing very soon.

[Weedpacket]

To answer your questions as they were posed:

Originally posted by evo4ever
I've looked at C and C++. Which one is:

The power
The fastest
The stablest
The Easiest

Strictly speaking, they're equal; in practical terms, C++ has a slight edge (depending on problem domain).
Toss-up, but C has a slight advantage. It depends more on the skill of the programmer and the quality of the compiler, though, than any property of the language.
If you mean "stable" in terms of language design, C; as I noted, C++ isn't nearly as standardised. If by "stable" you mean the resulting apps, that's definitely the responsibility of the programmer.
C definitely. By definition, C++ is as complicated as C and then some; to learn C++ you'd have to learn C anyway.

[Weedpacket]

Originally posted by planetsim
C# on the other hand is a more Advanced version of the C language. Now C# is basically OOP but very fast.
I just have this irrational suspicion of any language that exists because the designers lost a court case.

[SensualSandwich]

Originally posted by Weedpacket
I just have this irrational suspicion of any language that exists because the designers lost a court case.

Agreed.

[evo4ever]

Thx guys for your posts. I think ill learn C to start off, im taking your advice. I dont wanna attempt to learn C++ if it's better to learn C first. Ok, now that ive decided. Which C book would you recommend? thx.

[SensualSandwich]

I actually learned c then made the transition to c++ but I have been told by many people that learning c++ first is actually a bit easier. I however have never been presented with a valid reason other than the obvious answers.

[ishbo]

I personally tried to learn C++ first and ended up going to C and then back to C++. Kinda confusing(I would get the two mixed up) but worked for me.

[evo4ever]

Heh. So which C books would you recommend? thx.

[ishbo]

There is a free set online that is called "Learn C in 21 days" and "Learn C++ in 21 days" etc. I didnt actually do it in 21 days, but they are good nontheless.

[dalecosp]

parse error in previous post

Surely that's "Learn C++ in 22 days", right? I mean, ++ is the increment operator, how can both C and C++ equal 21?

BuzzLY, are they using "bitwise shifts" again? :)

[Arithan]

I think you should learn C++. If you read any books on c++(I've read Sams learn c++ in 21 days) you're bound to learn c as well. Besides, C++ is newer, has many RAD tools (Like Borland C++ Builder) and is more accepted if you were to try to get a job as a programmer. Therefore I say go with C++.

[Kudose]

I used "C Programming Using Turbo C++ Second Edition (1993)" and "Type & Learn C (1994)" and am using "How to Program C++ Thrid Edition with Lab Book (2001)" and "Beginning C++ Through Game Programming Second Edition (2007)".

[laserlight]

Oh dear, Kudose, you resurrected a 4 year old thread. So old that some of it no longer holds true...

to learn C++ you'd have to learn C anyway
Not really. The C++ standard library can be used as a teaching aid that provides a level of abstraction that novices may find easier to learn with. Koenig and Moo's Accelerated C++ book is an example.