Worried

[syszee]

Ahoy!

So, I’m fairly knowledgeable at java and a few libraries. Enough to create games or apps with little to no references, which isn’t a problem in my opinion. We all need help here and there. Anyways, I’ve always been intrigued by programming. Whether it be web development, or actual programming. That being said, I’ve also wanted to learn C++. I’m not completely sure why… perhaps just to have on my resume. It couldn’t hurt, I suppose.

Anyways, my worry is that I will lose my knowledge of java if I focus on c++. I want to balance the two but am worried I will not be able to do so. Any of you who know multiple languages as big as java and c++ (HTML, CSS, etc. - don’t count…), how do you maintain and not get confused?

Thank

• A

[basil]

never though about this like that.

surely use it or loose it, but then, at least to me it is like with spoken languages. everything comes back when i use it again after a short while. at the end of the day i would not worry about it at all …

the more languages you roll with, the better it is for you! better then sticking with one thing and get narrow-minded eventually.

[KevinWorkman]

That’s not how it works. Knowledge is not a zero-sum game. Learning more about C++ doesn’t mean you have to forget what you know about Java in order to make room.

In fact, learning another language is one of the best ways to help you understand the first one. Knowing the pros and cons of one language helps you frame the pros and cons of another language.

Programming languages are like tools. Learning how to use a hammer does not mean you’ll never be able to pick up a screwdriver again.

[Grunnt]

Learning more programming languages is:

1+1=3

Also, using c++ in combination with Java is very well possible (although usually not necessary to make a game or application). For example, LibGDX is essentially a combination of c/c++ (a native interface to the OS) and Java (which you talk to in your Java applications). Take a look at the Java Native Interface, it may be a nice thing to learn as well if you know both languages.

[Oskuro]

I’d guess learning another language would be a problem if you like to keep up with the bleeding edge of the java language, but, otherwise, it shouldn’t be an issue.

[Catharsis]

Learning multiple languages is handy because it reveals the patterns that are common to programming. For instance one of the basic things you do in most languages is read data in from a file / file system. Once you have a catalog of the ~10 most common things you need to do to accomplish X picking up a new language and getting to X is usually a matter of a few checks in a book or online reference and off you go. Syntax may change, but essential programming concepts are shared across a large cross-section of the implementation details in any given language of a given class (imperative, functional, etc. etc.)

[syszee]

You guys have helped a lot, thank you for that. I have to say, now that I am a few hours into research… I shouldn’t be worried at all.

@KevinWorkman

That’s not how it works. Knowledge is not a zero-sum game. Learning more about C++ doesn’t mean you have to forget what you know about Java in order to make room.

In fact, learning another language is one of the best ways to help you understand the first one. Knowing the pros and cons of one language helps you frame the pros and cons of another language.

Programming languages are like tools. Learning how to use a hammer does not mean you’ll never be able to pick up a screwdriver again.

Not only this… but I didn’t know how similarly the two languages looked. I’m not worried at all now.

[kpars]

Ever learned another speaking language before?

It’s seriously the exact same thing.

• Jev

[HeroesGraveDev]

The one problem you may face if you focus on one and forget about the other for too long is that you will sometimes trip on the syntax,

I occasionally try to declare variables with ‘let’ and forget the parentheses on my control flow statements.

The knowledge is all still there. You just sometimes stop focusing and find yourself typing out the wrong language,

[lcass]

@Catharsis

Learning multiple languages is handy because it reveals the patterns that are common to programming. For instance one of the basic things you do in most languages is read data in from a file / file system. Once you have a catalog of the ~10 most common things you need to do to accomplish X picking up a new language and getting to X is usually a matter of a few checks in a book or online reference and off you go. Syntax may change, but essential programming concepts are shared across a large cross-section of the implementation details in any given language of a given class (imperative, functional, etc. etc.)

I agree with this , I am currently finding c++ very easy to learn and can actually remember a lot of it because I can see the similaritys between it and java , this is also why I had such an issue with learning python , it had such wildly different standards and syntax/structure than other languages. However after a while I did begin to see similaritys and really got into it , then I found its HORRENDOUS inefficiency and just sort of left it to die.

[gouessej]

Hi

Actually, learning another language is a nice reminder… It reminds you why you love Java ;D It’s like having some bitter sweet memories after dumping a woman or a guy too quickly for superficial reasons, you end up coming back when you realize than your new girlfriend or your boyfriend is worse… When I used C++ in my previous job, it reminded me why I prefer Java : except that I used C++ because I was forced to do so, I had no choice.