Re: Choosing a new language

[george.priv@gmail.com]

On Dec 28, 10:23 am, Rico Secada <coolz...@it.dk> wrote:
> Hi.
>
> First let me start by saying, please don't let this become a
> flame-thing.
>
> Second, I need some advice.
>
> I am a 35 year old programmer, who program in C/C++, PHP and Bourne
> Shell almost daily.
>
> I am currently going to start focusing on becoming more skilled at a
> few key languages, rather than knowing many (which I do on a more
> superficial level).
>
> My key languages are C, PHP and SH (Bourne Shell), and I have stopped
> using C++ because I find that its a C-hack rather than a good design
> choice.
>
> I have made the following decision:
>
> To study Ada and use it instead of C++. I come from a Pascal background
> and I love the Ada syntax and wide area of usage. I am also attracted
> to Ada because of its usage in the industry.
>
> Now I have three more languages that I am very attracted to, but I
> prefer to focus on just one of them:
>
> Python, Haskell and Lisp.
>
> I have been doing some reading and some coding, and I am mainly
> attracted towards Lisp because of its ability to "fix a
> running program".
>
> But I find that Haskell is a more powerful language. Yet again Python
> has a huge user base and many libraries, and it is implemented
> everywhere, where Haskell and Lisp on the other hand hasn't.
>
> I like the syntax of all three, and I have gotten beyond the
> "confusion" stage of Lisp parentheses, so they don't bother me at all.
>
> I need advice from people who have been coding in all three, and who
> can share some views and experiences.
>
> Please, if you don't know ALL three by deep experience, don't respond to
> this thread!
>
> Thanks and best regards!
>
> Rico.

Can't say much about others but my experience with C, C++ (20 years),
C# and Ada so far:

C is too primitive, too much labor. I use C only on embedded platforms
with limited availability of other languages.
C++ for the years of use I have identified the following trouble
spots:
  - Templates not always instantiate the way you think they should
  - Lack of typing restrictions: typedef is a bad joke
  - #define/ #ifdef should not be part of any high level language
  - no support for concurrency even simple threads

C#/Java are pretty good except for reliance on garbage collection.
Try the application that goes through 10Mb per second data crunch and
witness the hick ups.

Ada: in my first project.  To summarize experience so far
  - More complex takes longer to learn
  - Takes some paradigm shift from pointers, callbacks to tasks/
message/rendezvous mentality
  - Some keywords seem to be redundant
  - Takes more time to think through data structures, interfaces and
tasks
  - That can in turn result in better code
  - Anything having to do with life safety better be coded in Ada

George