what language should i be learning?!

falsepride · 05-15-2007, 07:24 PM

my imediate goals are to major in real time interactive stimulation(video game programmer). currently a junior in high school, hopefully attending digipen institute of technology after high school. aside from that, id like to also create my own windows programs. like real programs not just things that run in dos, but things like uhh firefox for example.

long term goal is to make my own OS. dont even give me some negative feedback on this. whats wrong with dreaming big? im going to do it, i have like another 70 years of life to waste.

ive been studying c++ for the past 2 weeks and i think ive learned a decent amount already. should i be learning c# instead though? because of this Microsoft XNA - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ? and for making applications like firefox. someone point me in a direction here

teknomage1 · 05-16-2007, 12:17 AM

If you want to do OS level stuff, you want C or C++.
If you want to understand CS, learn Scheme or Lisp.
If you just want to make applications, it doesn't really matter what language you use, so long as there is a compiler or interpreter available on your platform.

DJMaze · 05-16-2007, 12:59 AM

Your own OS sounds cool, then you should definatly also learn assembly and read up about CPU architectures.
And as teknomage1 mentioned: C and C++

dazz williams · 05-16-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJMaze

Your own OS sounds cool, then you should definatly also learn assembly and read up about CPU architectures.
And as teknomage1 mentioned: C and C++

For your own OS if you want to be involved a lot I'd also suggest low-level languages and CPU architectures. Me sure to take the prereqs for any OS courses offered by a college you may eventually go to.
dazz.

falsepride · 05-16-2007, 06:04 PM

the OS is an extremely long term goal. i probably wont start it till I'm like 50. ideally id like to replace windows as the mainstream pc OS. retain its over all feel, just make it not suck. if you'd like to point me in the direction of books ill need for that now be my guest.

tekno CS standing for computer sciences? and 2 more languages 2 learn. i have a feeling that when i'm 80 ill only be able to speak in code.

teknomage1 · 05-16-2007, 09:09 PM

Yes, CS for Computer Science. By computer science I mean the classic stuff like compiler theory, type systems, computability, and algorithm stuff. I feel like lisp or scheme are good languages for that because they have almost no syntax and are easy to rewire. Those sorts of things are not crucial for OS work or game design but they will make you a better programmer.

DJMaze · 05-17-2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falsepride

ideally id like to replace windows as the mainstream pc OS. retain its over all feel, just make it not suck. if you'd like to point me in the direction of books ill need for that now be my guest.

http://www.reactos.org/ might help

Valmont · 05-18-2007, 09:47 AM

Falsepride, for such an experienced CodeNewbie user I didn't see this question coming from you

.

I believe that C# and .NET 2.0 is a most excellent start for you. It is motivating to learn an object oriented language with such powers, yet easy enough to build GUI enabeld software.
The dream to build an OS is shared by many. Yet I do feel that as you move along - learning and discovering - you'll find many more fantastic goals.

As your contribution has been of a positive nature over some time, I'll gladly give you a headstart. PM me if you're interested.