3 ms·

Why not both? They're both fun to write applications in. In fact, why not pick up some Perl and maybe some JS while you're at it? Limiting yourself to one lan

Why not both? They're both fun to write applications in. In fact, why not pick up some Perl and maybe some JS while you're at it? Limiting yourself to one language can teach you bad habits or start to close your mind to the possibilities that may be available in other languages. It's great to master a language, sure, but at this point in your learning, you should be reaching out all over the place to absorb as much as you can. By learning other languages, you not only fill your tool belt with new and shiny things, but you learn to use the other things in your tool belt better. Different languages make you think differently about how you design and structure things. You'll find similarities, that will reinforce your basic programming but, you'll also find differences, that will open your mind to structuring or writing your programs in new and interesting ways. I wouldn't lock yourself in to any particular language. You'll make yourself more marketable and a better programmer by becoming well-versed in many languages.

dave_k 14y ago
Wow, that was really good advice! JS has been something I have been looking into recently and it's quite amazing the things it allows you to do. "Limiting yourself to one language can teach you bad habits or start to close your mind to the possibilities that may be available in other languages. " You're so right. Thanks.
lucperkins 14y ago
I agree, although I would argue for making JavaScript your primary language for web development, especially in light of (a) the possibility that has emerged in the past few years of running JavaScript on the front and back end (I'm referring of course to Node.js), and (b) the movement toward doing and more and more on the front end with far more selective recourse to the back end (here I'm referring to libraries like Backbone, Ember, etc.). PHP and Python are both very cool and have amazing communities, but get as comfortable as possible with JS first.
- dave_k 14y ago
  I have heard and read quite a bit about node.js. That's something I will definitely need to look into more. thanks!

dave_k 14y ago

Wow, that was really good advice! JS has been something I have been looking into recently and it's quite amazing the things it allows you to do. "Limiting yourself to one language can teach you bad habits or start to close your mind to the possibilities that may be available in other languages. " You're so right. Thanks.

lucperkins 14y ago

I agree, although I would argue for making JavaScript your primary language for web development, especially in light of (a) the possibility that has emerged in the past few years of running JavaScript on the front and back end (I'm referring of course to Node.js), and (b) the movement toward doing and more and more on the front end with far more selective recourse to the back end (here I'm referring to libraries like Backbone, Ember, etc.). PHP and Python are both very cool and have amazing communities, but get as comfortable as possible with JS first.

dave_k 14y ago
I have heard and read quite a bit about node.js. That's something I will definitely need to look into more. thanks!