Learning Java or C# as a Next Language?

AlexDV asks: "I'm currently a second-term, CIS major at DeVry University. This coming term, I will have the choice of studying either Java or C# for my Object Oriented Programming class. Now I'm a diehard Linux user, so I'm slightly conflicted here. Which should I take?"

"I know C#.NET is primarily a Microsoft language, but, with Mono gaining momentum, it could very well become a major development platform for Linux as well. Novell has really been pushing it lately, and there seems to be a lot of very cool Linux apps being developed with it.

Java, on the other hand, is inherently more Linux-friendly due to its intentional cross-platform nature, but at the same time it doesn't really seem to be inspiring the same kind of developer enthusiasm as Mono. However, it's clearly not an insignificant OSS development language, with the recent news that Java has surpassed C++ as the #1 language for SourceForge projects.

Anyway, I though I'd toss that out there and get some opinions from other Slashdot readers. Any thoughts, advice, and/or rants are appreciated :)"

If you are at DeVry

[Anonymous Coward]

Then I would pick whatever is used for french fry machines.

Re:Take whichever one...

[breckinshire]

Has more ladies! Oww!

Re:Take whichever one...

[Anonymous Coward]

Which is neither, because he's at DeVry.

DeVry??

[Anonymous Coward]

DeVry huh? I'm not so sure it matters which programming you choose, you already made the wrong decision.

This isnt flamebait - its reality. Ive been in this industry for several years and still havent figured out what the hell DeVry graduates do with their degree.

OO is overrated.

[BigZaphod]

What you really should be learning is the up-coming trend of Transport Oriented Languages [bigzaphod.org]. They're all the rage at leading universities and businesses as the paradigm is an exciting new way to streamline your development synergies! (Note: Previous sentence is not true.)

Re:Java.

[Anonymous Coward]

True story: My software development teacher explained the different development models (waterfall, spiral, etc...) over the course of a semester. On the first day of class she said "Now the first model I would like to cover is the 'Code-and-fix' model." At that point, everyone in the class cheered. She responded by rolling her eyes.

My point is: no matter how popular or tempting it is to be a code-and-fix developer, listen to parent!!!

try learning Hindi instead

[justdrew]

languages are so passe, how are your powerpoint skills?

emacs!

[heson]

Choose whatever language you like as long as you use emacs.

Re:Java./ CS ~= computer programming

[EMiniShark]

"Computer Science is a subset of Math."

You must be new here. Math is a subset of Computer Science.

Re:If you are at DeVry

[kpwoodr]

True story, my 3rd day working for SBC in the IT arena, I was diciplined for my conduct on a conference call. It was very brief, but we were going around the rooms and telling our name and where we went to school. A 40 year old guy anounced that he had just graduated from DeVry, and I laughed out loud. I caught myself reasonably quick, but still had to write a letter of appology to the douche bag, as well as the director that was holding the call.

Nothing against DeVry, but they had just finished telling us how we were the cream of the crop (standard corporate BS), and he was one of the first people to talk.

which language?

[belmolis]

If all the complaints here about outsourcing are correct, rather than Java or C# you should learn Hindi.

Which is better...1/2'' or 3/8" wrench?

[uglyDBA]

I think the first reply was the best. The rest seems like two guys arguing over the backyard fence: Guy#1 - My 3/8" wrench wrox! I can lower and raise my daughters bike seat with ease using it!. Guy#2 - Ya but it sucks for anything that needs a 1/2" wrench..how the heck are you going to remove your kids tire with that useless tool? UglyDBA

DeVry: it's not the teachers, it's the students.

[Pentomino]

I'm a DeVry graduate, who took four semesters of COBOL in the mid-90's. And it seems you're asking the wrong question.

The better course of action is to transfer your credits to a university that has more women attending.