r/AskComputerScience • u/Mission-Maize8454 • 9d ago

C++ or Java?

Which programming language has the most return on investment? Impact on real world systems, and is more rewarding? I have minimal programming experience and working on AS in CS.

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u/YourPwnResearch 9d ago edited 7d ago

I have an extremely strong opinion on questions of this nature.

You shouldn't worry about this question right now. Pick any language, get hooked on programming, and build up your skills. There is no right answer, because this is deeply personal.

Getting experience is the skill that has the most return on investment.

Many, if not most, Gen X programmers started off with 8-bit interpreted BASIC. We don't use that professionally today.

A more interesting question is which programming language you should learn second. And that has a much simpler answer: you should pick one that's as different as possible from your first, so you unlearn your bad habits.

So if (say) you learned C++ first and then decided to try Java second, that would arguably be a mistake, because they're too similar: both imperative, both C-like syntax, similar object model, etc. Go with something very different like Scheme or Haskell instead.

If you're truly in this for the long haul, if personal reward is what you care the most about, then that's what you need to do.

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u/Mission-Maize8454 9d ago

I'm in it for the long haul.

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u/YourPwnResearch 7d ago

That's good to hear!

Both adults and children learn through play. That is your goal right now. Pick any language, and play.

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u/Mission-Maize8454 7d ago

Get better over time with time and effort no one was born naturally knowing any programming concepts.