Which programming language

[Darwinian]

Still no computing section I see

Anyway, I have been using Delphi for years and for me it works really well. But lately I've been thinking that it might be a good idea to get a more up to date environment and as I despise anything after Delphi 7 I have to look to other systems.

At the moment I'm downloading Visual Basic 2008 Enterprise to see what that's like. Has anyone had any experience of this and if so, is it any good.

I'm also considering Java, but, cross platform programming isn't really an issue for me.

So, what languages would you suggest?

[Tiberius]

Java isn't just about cross platform engineering, please don't think that. It's a powerful language in its own right, and an increasingly popular one because of its error handling and general ease of use. C++ is unusable in comparison IMO.

[Autumnlicious]

Python.

The learning curve is amazingly easy.

[LEDO]

I'm still using Lovelace.

[leo-rcc]

Why is it that every time I open a Java program my heart sinks to my shoes, because I know it will be slow as shit?

[Darwinian]

Thanks for all the advise everyone but I'm sticking with Delphi. It simply does everything I want it to and I can programme quickly as it's like a second language, which, I suppose it is

[Tiberius]

Why is it that every time I open a Java program my heart sinks to my shoes, because I know it will be slow as shit?

Are you joking? :S

Java 6 is only about twice as a slow as C++, and in terms of computer speeds, that's an unnoticeable value. It's slower because it has a JVM doing all the work, rather than running with machine code (not that there aren't compilers that reduce it down to machine code though). This is beneficial because you don't have to write different code for multiple platforms (or multiple hardware configurations), the language is typesafe, and it has no memory leaks because the memory management and garbage collection is all automated.

Thanks for all the advise everyone but I'm sticking with Delphi. It simply does everything I want it to and I can programme quickly as it's like a second language, which, I suppose it is

I thought you were looking for another language because Delphi is outdated? Don't give up...it takes barely any time at all to learn a programming language these days. I'd advise downloading Netbeans and giving Java a go, even if you just do a couple of the Sun tutorials: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/

[Darwinian]

I've done quite a lot of research about the various languages, including Delphi and am warmed by the fact that many applications and programmes from shareware all the way to professional out of the box products are still written in Delphi.

Most Delphi programmers are very loyal to it and see no reason to change as it can do everything they want it too and as I know it back to front and upside down I think I'll stick with it. Not to mention the huge support for components and the like from places like torry.net and the huge amount of code that I've already built up.

Basically Delphi is to me as Linux is to you..

Delphi FTW

[Tiberius]

Make that UNIX, given that I'm a Mac user now

Well I wouldn't dare limit my programming ability by only focusing on one programming language. I think it's a rather silly thing to do (no offence meant though, it's just my personal view), especially with the rate at which the industry is growing. I use Java as my main language, but that hasn't stopped me learning PHP, Ruby, C++, C#, etc. Once exams are over and I'm free, I'll be learning Python as I've only heard good things about it.

The one thing you'll find when using Java (if you decide to do a tutorial or two for fun) is that it is mind-numbingly obvious and intuitive to use. It's a bit like Ruby in that respect...they've designed it with the programmer in mind. You can create a GUI in a couple of lines, and the API unlocks methods for doing pretty much anything.

[Darwinian]

Ok, I'll have a look at Java but remember that I'm a self employed programmer and don't need to what the industry wants.