3 ms·

If your argument here is that knowing Javascript earns you more money than knowing no programming language in depth at all, I don't think anyone disagrees with

If your argument here is that knowing Javascript earns you more money than knowing no programming language in depth at all, I don't think anyone disagrees with you. You could however have picked Ruby, PHP, Python, Haskell, Java, C(++), Objective-C (holy crap, Objective-C), Scala, Clojure etc to deep-dive on and would have been just as employable. To convince me otherwise, you'd have to make the case that all of my professional connections are conspiring to deceive me or that I'm experiencing hallucinations on a near-daily basis and need professional help.

xiaoma 13y ago
Yes and no. The particular job offers I got all relied on JavaScript, but of course there are a lot of great positions that require other languages. I do think that JavaScript was the optimal choice. There is such a small number of people who have experience with the MEAN stack compared to LAMP / Java / RoR that it makes it a quite a bit easier for an outsider to break in through unconventional means. Objective C would have been very strong as well. Many companies of all sizes, including my current one use it. It would probably have taken a successful app on the app store or a stronger resume in order to get the kind of interest I did from top tier companies. Ruby would have lead to openings, but probably wouldn't have done much for me my interviews with Google. Java is used all over the place but from what I've seen, few junior devs without a degree break into the better work. Haskell would have been absolutely horrible--I'd have been competing with freakishly smart people for a small number of low-paying jobs! The beauty of JavaScript is: 1) It's in the front end of every web stack, so nearly everyone needs it. 2) The MEAN stack (which includes Node and Angular) is a fast rising platform with few people competent in it. Even knowing "old" frameworks like Backbone can lead to a lot of opportunities. 3) In general, there is a bit less conservative of a culture among JavaScript programmers. Java/C/Python shops are more likely to care about pedigree and formal credentials.

xiaoma 13y ago

Yes and no. The particular job offers I got all relied on JavaScript, but of course there are a lot of great positions that require other languages. I do think that JavaScript was the optimal choice. There is such a small number of people who have experience with the MEAN stack compared to LAMP / Java / RoR that it makes it a quite a bit easier for an outsider to break in through unconventional means. Objective C would have been very strong as well. Many companies of all sizes, including my current one use it. It would probably have taken a successful app on the app store or a stronger resume in order to get the kind of interest I did from top tier companies. Ruby would have lead to openings, but probably wouldn't have done much for me my interviews with Google. Java is used all over the place but from what I've seen, few junior devs without a degree break into the better work. Haskell would have been absolutely horrible--I'd have been competing with freakishly smart people for a small number of low-paying jobs! The beauty of JavaScript is: 1) It's in the front end of every web stack, so nearly everyone needs it. 2) The MEAN stack (which includes Node and Angular) is a fast rising platform with few people competent in it. Even knowing "old" frameworks like Backbone can lead to a lot of opportunities. 3) In general, there is a bit less conservative of a culture among JavaScript programmers. Java/C/Python shops are more likely to care about pedigree and formal credentials.