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Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

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Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#31

Post by mxschumacher »

Sylos wrote: post #16

It's the most commonly used programming language, according to the TIOBE index, and its main markets, Android and servers, are still very much growing with no real programming language competitor threatening the dominant position of Java. And even if people would suddenly stop writing new software in it, there's so many systems by now that are written in Java and need to be maintained that you'd still be able to use…

Kotlin is very much threatening Java's dominant position in Android development

Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#33

Post by xfer »

_Tev wrote: post #27
blt wrote: post #10

In my opinion, Java is not an enlightening language. In other words, learning Java will not make you a better programmer in other languages. It is only good for getting jobs. If you do decide to learn it, make sure to use recent educational materials for Java 8+, so you learn how to use advanced features like lambda functions and unsigned integer types.

> It is only good for getting jobs. Beginner will either want a job or write some simple apps. "enlightening" languages are worthless for them.

What? You do realize that lots of schools start entry level programming with "enlightening" languages(scheme, haskell etc)? You can write simple programs very easily with enlightening languages.

Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#34

Post by tonyedgecombe »

xfer wrote: post #33
_Tev wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It is only good for getting jobs. Beginner will either want a job or write some simple apps. "enlightening" languages are worthless for them.

What? You do realize that lots of schools start entry level programming with "enlightening" languages(scheme, haskell etc)? You can write simple programs very easily with enlightening languages.

But you won't see many jobs requiring scheme or haskell.

Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#35

Post by tonyedgecombe »

_Tev wrote: post #25
sytelus wrote: post #23

I think every one should learn at least 3 different types of languages (my recommendation for each below): - Interpreted: Current choice is Python, pretty much hands down undisputed. Personally there is a lot to dislike about Python (who doesn't like 24 byte integers?) but that's how things are. - Compiled (VM based): My choice here is C# instead of Java or Go because (1) C# is now available cross platform and more "…

I'd say going with more than one language will just confuse beginner. I've seen many students struggle with the language soup schools cook for them.

Yes, better to do one thing well than two poorly.

Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#36

Post by _Tev »

xfer wrote: post #33
_Tev wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It is only good for getting jobs. Beginner will either want a job or write some simple apps. "enlightening" languages are worthless for them.

What? You do realize that lots of schools start entry level programming with "enlightening" languages(scheme, haskell etc)? You can write simple programs very easily with enlightening languages.

Yes, and students from those schools are super confused when they want to write anything for real use. Schools teach a lot of things in a wrong way.

Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#37

Post by Can_Not »

mxschumacher wrote: post #31
Sylos wrote: post #16

It's the most commonly used programming language, according to the TIOBE index, and its main markets, Android and servers, are still very much growing with no real programming language competitor threatening the dominant position of Java. And even if people would suddenly stop writing new software in it, there's so many systems by now that are written in Java and need to be maintained that you'd still be able to use…

Kotlin is very much threatening Java's dominant position in Android development

I think most kotlin teams would want you to already know Java, the parts of kotlin that aren't basically Java under the hood are likely very easy to learn.

Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#38

Post by pratikss »

Can_Not wrote: post #37
mxschumacher wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Kotlin is very much threatening Java's dominant position in Android development

I think most kotlin teams would want you to already know Java, the parts of kotlin that aren't basically Java under the hood are likely very easy to learn.

Not necessarily. One can pick up Kotlin as entirely new language. If you are working with old Java code, then yes.

Re: Ask HN: Is Java worth learning?

#40

Post by alextheparrot »

drunkencarolina wrote: post #39
jaimex2 wrote: post #32

Absolutely, its the second most used language on github: http://githut.info/ that list is a nice guide on what you should learn in general. Once learned compliment it by learning Scala.

Why Scala?

Java let’s you do most of the work, Scala let’s me produce elegant enough solutions that the complexity means I have job security. Thus, if you’re learning Java for career reasons, Scala seems to be a natural compliment.
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