C# vs C++ vs Java

[Jetfighter808]

Hi for my GCSE, I have to learn another language. I have learnt python (kinda) but for my second language I don't know the difference between C#, C++ and Java. (insert noob comments here). What one should I learn and why. I want to make some simple text based programs and maybe some simple RPG games in the future. Also, what books do you recommend for such a noob.

 

Help is appreciated,

 

Thanks!

[Guest Kloaked]

C# or Java first. C++ is more advanced, but it's doable.

 

Microsoft Virtual Academy has free videos on C#, for example.

[Castdeath97]

I would try java first, since it would help you a load once you get to university. 

[dragosudeki]

Java used to be good, but failed to update and evolve like C#, so C# is far more powerful, yet still very similar to Java. C++ is a little more advanced and requires more memory management from the programmer so that memory doesn't leak, where both Java and C# has garbage collection that will free up unused memory.

 

C# would be good if you can get a good IDE for it (Only one I know is Visual Studio, which isn't entirely free).

Java would be good otherwise.

C++ would also be a good option if you want more of a challenge, but in my opinion, I think someone should go through C before reaching C++.

[Sauron]

C++ if you want the "best". C# is very powerful and pretty easy to use but it is strictly windows limited. Java is easier than c++ and it is also multiplatform.

[ICantThinkOfAnyGoodName]

Go with C# or C++. If you learn C# you could also learn java easily because the syntax is almost the same, but C# is better IMO. C++ is very powerful and the best language IMO for stuff where performance is important, but it is harder to learn.

[ICantThinkOfAnyGoodName]

C++ if you want the "best". C# is very powerful and pretty easy to use but it is strictly windows limited. Java is easier than c++ and it is also multiplatform.

Actually you can also use C# on other platforms than windows using Mono. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_(software)

[Sauron]

Actually you can also use C# on other platforms than windows using Mono. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_(software)

 

Sure, but including a whack ton of unnecessary data in your executable for the sake of using c# feels... unnecessary.

[Shoob]

Actually you can also use C# on other platforms than windows using Mono. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_(software)

However some methods seem to be Windows only. I've encountered some of my programs crashing with Mono on Ubuntu 15.04.

[lubblig]

Java used to be good, but failed to update and evolve like C#, so C# is far more powerful, yet still very similar to Java. C++ is a little more advanced and requires more memory management from the programmer so that memory doesn't leak, where both Java and C# has garbage collection that will free up unused memory.

 

C# would be good if you can get a good IDE for it (Only one I know is Visual Studio, which isn't entirely free).

Java would be good otherwise.

C++ would also be a good option if you want more of a challenge, but in my opinion, I think someone should go through C before reaching C++.

Yes it is. As of the 2015 version you can get it for free. The only difference between the community version and Enterprise version is minimal. You will most likely not ever notice the difference anyway. It's not like older versions where you actually got more stuff in the Pro versions versus the free ones.

 

So if you want a really powerful IDE, Visual Studio 2015 Community edition is great!

[madknight3]

You can't really go wrong with any of those options. They all have good tools and libraries for working with the language. You'll be able to use any of them to make "simple text based programs and maybe some simple RPG games".

[Nineshadow]

I'll keep recommending C++.

It has both low-level and high-level features.

C++ was designed to be a low-level platform-neutral object-oriented programming language. C# was designed to be a somewhat higher-level component-oriented language. The move to a managed environment represents a sea change in the way you think about programming. C# is about letting go of precise control, and letting the framework help you focus on the big picture.With the managed environment of .NET, you give up that level of control.

C++ can be the end-to-end language for a system that pokes around in the depths of a system, yet offers the opportunity for tinkering around with higher order abstractions.

 

I won't go into more details about cons and pros for each language, but ,by learning C++, you will eventually learn more stuff , stuff which links together to give you a good explaination of how everything works together.

 

 

 

And if you're trying to make a game, then I suggest Unity.

[ICantThinkOfAnyGoodName]

I'll keep recommending C++.

It has both low-level and high-level features.

C++ was designed to be a low-level platform-neutral object-oriented programming language. C# was designed to be a somewhat higher-level component-oriented language. The move to a managed environment represents a sea change in the way you think about programming. C# is about letting go of precise control, and letting the framework help you focus on the big picture.With the managed environment of .NET, you give up that level of control.

C++ can be the end-to-end language for a system that pokes around in the depths of a system, yet offers the opportunity for tinkering around with higher order abstractions.

 

I won't go into more details about cons and pros for each language, but ,by learning C++, you will eventually learn more stuff , stuff which links together to give you a good explaination of how everything works together.

 

 

 

And if you're trying to make a game, then I suggest Unity.

Unity uses C# .

[Bekker]

I would recommend C# or Java.
Ive tried all 3, but those 2 are languages that are easy to get started with, and quickly make some cool working stuff with.
And choosing between the 2, i would go C#, since you talk about games, where unity is pretty popular. and that uses c#.
Java is a bit dated in my opinion, and all the constant security issues doesnt really help either.
Also i work as a full time software developer, doing C#, so i guess i might be biased

Ofcourse C++ i super cool! but i can be a big mouthfull.

[BrightCandle]

Each of these 3 languages is used for a different purpose. Java is a cross platform language so it works everywhere and abstracts from the machine underneith it. C# is Windows only (sort of) and is a copy of some of the aspects of Java but its targeted at improving application development for Windows programs. C++ is a system level language, its used to write operating systems and a lot of applications are also written in it, but its more difficult to use due to its lower abstraction level making bugs more likely.

[EpicAdom]

C++ is a low level language that doesn't do much for you. C# and Java are similar languages. C# is windows exclusive (sort of, as stated above) and Java is cross platform. C# has Visual Studio which is an awesome IDE. Java, on the other hand, has eclipse, which is not nearly as good. 

 

EDIT: Eclipse isn't the only IDE for Java, but it is one of the more popular ones. I talked to a friend of mine who programs in Java with eclipse and he thought that Visual Studio was WAY better.

[CerialKiller]

What kind of applications are you working on?