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Ask HN: What programming language/framework to use in a side project?
I'm a long time .NET and PHP dev (yes, I hear HN cringing) and have a couple side projects I want to put together. My corporate job is in .NET and my current couple of side projects are in PHP. I don't have tons of free time between my job and family, and anything I want to learn has to be "for profit". Meaning, I want to learn things that will keep me or get me employed (outside the startup/San Fran world).
Do, I just beef up more on .NET to cover things I don't do at work or try to expand into like Python? What about front-end, stick with MVC view templates/jquery or try Angular?
Does it look better on the resume having experience with more or more experience with few?
- taurenk 12y agoI'm in a similar boat - for work I mostly use MSSQL/.net. For side projects I have been using Python/Flask which have not only been a blast to use but seem to be very flexible.
- duiker101 12y agoMy suggestion is to go for something you never tried so yes, Python with django could be a good thing if you never used them and for javascript try dropping and going for angular/backbone/ember. For the resume I think it depends on what you want. I like to have a bit of everything so if I want to change field I can. But that means that I am not yet a super expert on anything. I think that if you became truly good at one thing you could ask for a higher salary but you will be stuck with it and might be harder to find a job. But this is just my personal opinion.
- gmturbo 12y agoNode.js
- guiambros 12y agoGo with something you've never tried before. Not only for the intellectual challenge, but because it will pay off in the long run: make you more versatile, better understanding of different programming paradigms, open new doors to positions at companies that aren't .net/PHP shops. Python with Django and Angular is a solid option, particularly with the widespread adoption of the language. Ruby on Rails is a popular choice too, but less use in the traditional corporate world (which I guess is your space, given .net). Some may say functional programming, but less commercial value. Go is a great language too, but haven't played with any mvc framework yet.
- quaffapint 12y agoThanks to those that made suggestions - it's appreciated to hear other people's opinions. I was hoping to get more, but without front page on HN that doesn't happen.