4 ms·

I think this is all fantastic advice, except this one: A language is a language is a language Perhaps I am simply not yet experienced enough, but I find which

I think this is all fantastic advice, except this one: A language is a language is a language Perhaps I am simply not yet experienced enough, but I find which language I am working with makes a great deal of difference. I know that some of it is personal preference and knowledge of the languages, but at the same time some of it seems to be that some languages are better suited for some tasks than others, and yes it at least looks like some languages are all around better than others. Personally, I generally choose Python as my general purpose programming language and prefer it for most projects, and I get a lot more done in than I do in Java. I use C# for many types of projects on Windows, but I use VB.Net only if forced. If I ever decided to write an OS as an exercise I would probably start with C and if I needed to do something heavily statistical I would seriously look at learning R.

mikeryan 17y ago
I don't think he's saying that any language is the best tool for the job. More (and I've found this to be true) that once you learn most basic programming concepts in one language, moving to another becomes easier. The more you learn the easier it is to switch to another language.
- Retric 17y ago
  After a while you start thinking of languages as API's. You don't think about the problem in Java, or Lisp you figure out how to solve the problem abstractly and then find out how to use the language to make it as easy as possible. This is why learning new idioms / languages can be helpful even if you always implement in the same language. You also start to implement an add hock solution that mimics other languages in your language of choice. (Which can confuse people not used to the concept.)
- timwiseman 17y ago
  More (and I've found this to be true) that once you learn most basic programming concepts in one language, moving to another becomes easier. The more you learn the easier it is to switch to another language. This I agree with fully. But at least on initial reading that was not how I took. He seemed to be saying that language choice does not matter, and at least at my current point of development it matters a great deal.

mikeryan 17y ago

I don't think he's saying that any language is the best tool for the job. More (and I've found this to be true) that once you learn most basic programming concepts in one language, moving to another becomes easier. The more you learn the easier it is to switch to another language.

Retric 17y ago
After a while you start thinking of languages as API's. You don't think about the problem in Java, or Lisp you figure out how to solve the problem abstractly and then find out how to use the language to make it as easy as possible. This is why learning new idioms / languages can be helpful even if you always implement in the same language. You also start to implement an add hock solution that mimics other languages in your language of choice. (Which can confuse people not used to the concept.)
timwiseman 17y ago
More (and I've found this to be true) that once you learn most basic programming concepts in one language, moving to another becomes easier. The more you learn the easier it is to switch to another language. This I agree with fully. But at least on initial reading that was not how I took. He seemed to be saying that language choice does not matter, and at least at my current point of development it matters a great deal.