just want to know wich is better for a new programmer to start with?
i mean which will deserve the time to be spent on,java or c#?

That's a bit like going into a pub and shouting out, "Who should I support, Man U or Liverpool?"

Both have their merits. Java has quite a lot of supporting material for someone new to the language. Both languages are quite similar and hide some of the more complicated aspects of programming.

Go with Java. It has been around much longer, is much more mature, it is much more portable (We have "mono" but the current version: 1.2.3 is still far from complete for the NET 2.0 platform, leave it alone 3.0, codenamed Olive), there are a lot more third part support and finding info (through books or tutorials) is much easier.

Besides, C# is Microsoft's answer to something they could not buy from Sun. A cheap-clone if you will (pun intended).

I understand that graemef was trying to be reasonable (unlike me), but there is no merit for what MS is trying to do: Either buying out companies or copying their technology. It is pretty much all they do.

Of the two choices you list, my preference is Java, for purely political reasons (Mega Man X, above).

But out of curiosity, what made you single out those two technologies amidst a vast number of programming languages?

That is good to hear taylor_venable. I thought I was going to generate a small flamewar because of my previous comment, but I am glad to know that I am not the only one who feels that way about C#.

Cheers!

the good news is that which ever one you pick will make learning the other one a cinch. (as was mentioned they are quite similar)

My choice is none of them i say python is the best for a beginner Also the country that you live is very important also, if you were in my country you would choose c# They admire MS products

Then also anotate to the list smalltalk XD... I will go try it next days...

Doesn't matter, whatever one floats your boat. Your never gonna get an absolute answer out of everyone, since everyone has their preferences. C# is pretty cool and I enjoy programming in it, but I wouldn't make software I want people to use in C#... yet. Mono is cool, check it out. Try both, go with what you like more. Once you learn one, the other will be much easier. Java seems to be more straight forward and "simpler" (don't read that to mean less powerful). Sun has a goal for Java, and they don't like deviating from it. If something already serves one purpose, they don't seem ready to duplicate it elsewhere (which is a plus in my book).

On this forum, probably not...go to any msdn site, however, and it would've been on...hahaha.

That being said, I agree completely with the comments this quote is in reference to. Screw M$.

I would prefer neither but Java is the lesser of two evils I guess. As far as I have been able to tell, C# is just Microsoft Java but with a smaller community. And Java is... well, whatever.

Just my (or maybe just one.)

None of them for political reasons.
Maybe c# from what I've heard from some developpers. It looks c# has corrected bad things in java. Unfortunatly some keywords don't do the same things:
Java (J2SE 5.0) and C# Comparison

If it were me, I would look for something else than these 2 (python, ruby,c++,...)

I use c++ for more than 10 years I like it. Switching to java is trivial. The opposite, not really..

I always prefer java for myself. It is vast and you have everything required to learn easily, very easy implementation and free huge support from thousands of very experienced people all over internet.

But if you target to program for windows platform then C# is far better choice than java.

Hehe, only giving 1 more shoot to smalltalk (at less count it in a posible list...) Alan Kay quotes, tought I have never found a smalltalk programmer??? hehe.

Never tried smalltalk, nor I wanted to, but hgb seems to love it, so I checked it up. Development started in 1969 huh? wow . Anyway, I wanted to try, but I really don't have time lately .

But to add something useful to this thread:

- I recommend Java for more political reasons. If you are just picking up a language for fun, then either will do. Switching from one language to another is very simple as well.

- If you actually want to get a job with either of those languages, check your local newspapers to see which language is more popular on your area.

- If you hate MS, pick Java

- If you want your programs to be portable, pick Java.

My 2 cents