24 replies to this topic

[SledgY]

Playing the devils advocate re Java

It's not as fast as C/C++ but it's probably the next best thing.

Not exactly true, in some use cases this is correct but in others it doesn't hold. A virtual machine with a garbage collector has some advantages for the optimisation of memory allocation and can actually outperform pure C/C++.

For somebody new to programming I would advocate against JavaScript being the first language. Yes node.js has moved JS server side but the language itself is actually rather complex and has a lot of warts and pitfalls that are not obvious to a beginner. JavaScript is essentially Scheme with a Java-like syntax and was developed in a very short period (several months). Get to know a better designed language before diving into JavaScript and when you do use jslint to ensure you don't fall into these traps.

Examples of common gotchas:

• Forgetting to use var for a variable creates a global variable (can have difficult to debug side effects).
• The foreach can have un-expected values unless an appropriate guard is used.

Edited by SledgY, 16 May 2013 - 11:03 AM.

[Electr0]

ill give Python a go then.

I've always wanted to learn a language, but never really know what I'd use it for, or what I'd create with it. As such, I never have. Let us know how you go :)

Edited by Electr0, 16 May 2013 - 01:50 PM.

[SledgY]

ill give Python a go then.

I've always wanted to learn a language, but never really know what I'd use it for, or what I'd create with it. As such, I never have. Let us know how you go :)

There are actually a few python easter-eggs, from the python interpreter:

import antigravity

import this

import __hello__

[kikz]

there was a recent tech demo showing off the Unreal Engine running in Firefox).

I posted that on these forums, but no fucks were given :(

http://forums.atomic...showtopic=54189

oh and long time absent hetman. hi!

[pumpjockey02]

Scythe I am learning java too, You can get the learning java the hardway of the net and I am also using pythonista on my ipad. Its fun so far.