What language for Linux do you recommend?

Earth and Stars · 04-03-2007, 09:47 AM

I know there are varying opinions, but that is what I want.

I have a background in C++ and VB, four semesters worth. I haven't coded in about six years, but wanted to get back into programming. I love the Linux platform and wanted to give back a little.

1. What language do you recommend I learn (perhaps just in general)?

2. Why do you like that language for Linux?

Currently, I'm leaning towards C# and mono. Is this a bad or good idea?

cfaj · 04-03-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earth and Stars

I know there are varying opinions, but that is what I want.

I have a background in C++ and VB, four semesters worth. I haven't coded in about six years, but wanted to get back into programming. I love the Linux platform and wanted to give back a little.

1. What language do you recommend I learn (perhaps just in general)?

2. Why do you like that language for Linux?

Currently, I'm leaning towards C# and mono. Is this a bad or good idea?

That depends on what you want to program.

For 99% of my work, I use shell scripts. For the rest, C.

95se · 04-03-2007, 11:01 AM

Use whatever you have the most fun with, or feel like using for a particular project. I'm not a huge fan of C++, but that's just me. I use C or Java for most stuff, though I'm getting into C#, just haven't found a good project to use it with.

ramram29 · 04-03-2007, 11:57 AM

That's a very broad question. What type of programming do you want to do? Web Development, Application Development, Kernel Development, Drivers. Be more specific.

xhi · 04-03-2007, 12:37 PM

> I know there are varying opinions

that may be an understatement

indienick · 04-03-2007, 03:12 PM

I'm just gonna pop in here, and say Common Lisp!

Highly under-used, but oh-so highly effective.
If you want to make a GUI app, just make use of ASDF and link to C/C++ graphics libraries.

kaz2100 · 04-03-2007, 04:01 PM

I think the least used yet useful one is prolog...

ta0kira · 04-03-2007, 05:36 PM

The core of a Linux system is written in C, so I'd pick that up. It has a lot of nuances coming from C++. glibc is one of the most useful tools on a Linux system (check out info:libc.) 99% of what I do is C++ (because I love abstractions) and C where required with glibc and the rest is Bash shell scripts. I doubt C# or VB will be at the core of Linux. I'd say definitely C and C++ because they have ISO standards and can do nearly everything you need done (in combination with glibc and a decent GUI lib like GTK.) Also some sort of shell scripting because you won't get very far in Linux without it.
ta0kira

Mega Man X · 04-03-2007, 06:25 PM

Whitespace is so underrated. Take a look at this example, here is a hello world in whitespace:

Quote:

Hello #World #in #Whitespace * # # * # # #
+ *[Space]
+ #is #marked #with"#" # #[tab] #with"*" *line-feed #with #"+" * # *so
+it #would
+be #easier #to #write #again... #All *the *non-whitespace-characters #are *ignored... * # #
+ *
+ # # # # # * * # * * # #
+ *
+ # # # # # * * # * * * *
+ *
+ # # # # # * # # # # #
+ *
+ # # # # # * # * # * * *
+ *
+ # # # # # * * # * * * *
+ *
+ # # # # # * * * # # * #
+ *
+ # # # # # * * # * * # #
+ *
+ # # # # # * * # # * # #
+ *
+ # # # # # * # # # # *
+ *
+ # # # # # * # * #
+ *
+ # #
+
+
+

<sarcasm>It is a very clear, user-friendly language </sarcasm>. I personally would like to see more Java applications making its way into Linux. You are interesting in learning C#, so here is my tip: Stay away from MS technologies. C# in my eyes, is just a rip off something MS could not buy...

indienick · 04-03-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mega Man X

C# in my eyes, is just a rip off something MS could not buy...

Zing!

I tried learning C#, but it was too much like Java. I use Java quite a fair bit for alot of my big projects, as I think it makes managing source packages easy as pie. For everything else, I use Common Lisp. It boils down to Java for networking, Common Lisp for actual execution, and system calls for everything else.

EDIT: Whitespace looks to be along the same lines as the language, Brainfuck.

Code:

++++++++++ [>+++++++>++++++++++>+++>+<<<<-] The initial loop to set up useful values in the array >++. Print 'H' >+. Print 'e' +++++++. Print 'l' . Print 'l' +++. Print 'o' >++. Print ' ' <<+++++++++++++++. Print 'W' >. Print 'o' +++. Print 'r' ------. Print 'l' --------. Print 'd' >+. Print '!' >. Print newline

(Lifted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainfuck.)

Mega Man X · 04-04-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indienick

Whitespace looks to be along the same lines as the language, Brainfuck.

LOL. That is one language that if I knew, I would omit on my Résumé. I don't think "brainfuck" sounds like a good name

.

Here is a list of "Hello World" programs. The list is about 300 different languages. Interesting that only a few of those are actually useful

http://www.roesler-ac.de/wolfram/hello.htm

bandwidthjunkie · 04-04-2007, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mega Man X

LOL. That is one language that if I knew, I would omit on my Résumé. I don't think "brainfuck" sounds like a good name

.

Here is a list of "Hello World" programs. The list is about 300 different languages. Interesting that only a few of those are actually useful

http://www.roesler-ac.de/wolfram/hello.htm

On the basis of that can I suggest Ook it seems to have reached a new standard in usability. (http://www.dangermouse.net/esoteric/ook.html)

Mega Man X · 04-05-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandwidthjunkie

On the basis of that can I suggest Ook it seems to have reached a new standard in usability. (http://www.dangermouse.net/esoteric/ook.html)

<sarcasm>
I don't know man. The first paragraph starts with:

"Ook! is a programming language designed for orang-utans."

it is the same problem I have with Ubuntu's slogan:

"Linux for human beings"

Am I the only one who feels a little bit of discrimination within those projects?.
</sarcasm>

Now seriously... do we really need yet another programming language?. Sometimes it feels like we are always cloning other technologies instead of moving forward

alred · 04-05-2007, 01:12 AM

just name it as an extension to a previous language ... ^_^

.

gvp87 · 04-06-2007, 01:30 AM

I have a background in VB as well, and some familiarity with C++ concepts. I'm actually learning Python right now, bc i've heard only the best things about it. It's extremely diff from VB and C++, bc code is based less on content and more on sytax, therefore, what could take 20 hrs of coding in VB or C, would take probably around 10-15 in python. This is why it is usually described as being a "powerful language". More can get done with less code.