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This feels like what happens when a web developer fails to realize that the web is not the be-all-and-end-all of software development. Do you want to create fa
by Kronopath 12y ago
This feels like what happens when a web developer fails to realize that the web is not the be-all-and-end-all of software development.
Do you want to create fantastic 3D graphics and visual effects? Best learn C++ and OpenGL.
Do you want to develop a highly resilient parallel system that can be patched without downtime? Learn Erlang.
Do you want to program an embedded system, or anything where you need to be close to the hardware? Learn C.
Do you want to program mobile apps? Java, Objective-C or Swift.
Do you want to "program" hardware on an FPGA? Verilog.
Do you want to quickly make 3D games or other interactive experiences? Try C# and Unity.
Do you want to advance your own knowledge of programming and computation, even if you don't have a particular platform restriction? Learn any language in a different language family than you're used to, something like Clojure or Haskell or Prolog.
And as you get familiar with other languages, you'll find it's easier each time to pick up the next one.
Your question might better be phrased as, "As a web developer, what are the advantages to learning non-JavaScript-based web frameworks and languages?"
With my limited experience in the web world, the only good, practical answer to this modified question that I can come up with is "diversification". If all your eggs are in one basket when it comes to programming skill, you're very vulnerable to a language or toolset falling out of vogue. I know some Flash developers, for example, who have been absolutely devastated by the happenings of the past several years, because their toolset was far too rooted in Flash. JavaScript is pretty ubiquitous these days, so I doubt something quite that dramatic would happen to it, but it's possible that it could—for example, I can imagine best practices shifting over the next ten or twenty years so that nobody writes Javascript directly anymore, but only languages that compile to it. I'm not saying that will happen, but it's an example of something that could.
- msutherl 12y agoIt's pretty clear from the post that he's talking about web development. And I don't think your 'all eggs in one basket' argument makes much sense. JavaScript will always be the (or, a) scripting language for the browser, and if something new emerges, we will all have plenty of time to prepare. As for backend trends, they evolve slowly. One needn't worry about being caught unprepared for some sudden change.
- lostmsu 12y ago> JavaScript will always be the (or, a) scripting language for the browser, and if something new emerges, we will all have plenty of time to prepare. Thing is - what if it already emerged, but you missed that?
- ziikutv 12y agoActually some people are using javascript + node for embedded systems. But I only am interested in opinions related to web/phone development :)
- ziikutv 12y agoI was only talking about in web development context but yes I know/use some languages you have listed. I do embedded system programming, also design hardware and do FPGA related stuff. :)
- Kronopath 12y agoGood to know, I guess that makes my answer quite a bit less relevant. I just tend to get frustrated when I see people who've only done web stuff treat "programming" and "web programming" as synonymous.