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What Programming Languages Should You Learn Next?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the anything-but-haskell dept.

simoniker writes "Over at Dobbs Code Talk, Chris Diggins has been discussing programming languages beyond C++ or Java, suggesting options such as Ruby ('does a great job of showing how powerful a dynamic language can be, and leverages powerful ideas from Smalltalk, Perl, and Lisp') but suggesting Scala as a first choice ('Very accessible to programmers from different backgrounds.') What would your choice be for programmers extending beyond their normal boundaries?"

8 of 759 comments (clear)

  1. Love the 'iPhone' tag by Naughty+Bob · · Score: 3, Funny

    We really have some obscurity-loving masochists among our ranks.

    --
    "Be light, stinging, insolent and melancholy"
  2. I understand that COBOL is pretty hot... by PC+and+Sony+Fanboy · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hear that COBOL is a pretty good language to learn. It isn't new, but it is old enough to make a comeback (like disco, aviator glasses and big hair)...

  3. Re:What Languages? by Chris+Mattern · · Score: 4, Funny

    FORTH learn to want I would why?

  4. Whitespace by ookabooka · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think Whitespace is worth learning, if only to be a smartass on exams where the prof specifies you may use "any" programming language. Just leave it blank, then after the exam spend a few hours figuring out how the hell you would solve the problem in whitespace, and bring a proof of concept on a USB flashdrive to fight the inevitable incorrect grade you receive for the problem.

    I have yet to find the courage to actually attempt this. . .

    --
    If you are about to mod me down, keep in mind that this post was most likely sarcastic.
    1. Re:Whitespace by mcmonkey · · Score: 4, Funny

      That settles it. My next language will be lolcode.

      KTHXBYE

  5. Re:Wrong Question by jellomizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    PRINT *, 'What is wrong with using FORTRAN 77? It is a perfectly fine lan'//
        1 'guage that offers the flexiblity for all generations.'
        PRINT *, 'Where else can I write code that will run on todays system and '//
        1 'still be able to back it up on punch cards for safe keeping that wil'//
        2 'l last for decades'
    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  6. Re:What Languages? by kat_skan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because what Yoda would use is it.

  7. Re:Wrong Question by idontgno · · Score: 4, Funny

    Agreed. It's a sad day on /. when I look at purported code examples and say to myself "Hmph. BASIC poser."

    "BASIC poser" may be the saddest phrase in the geek sublanguage of the English language.

    --
    Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.