Ask HN: What language to learn to get hired...

#1

Post by oldmanstan » Fri, Dec 31, 2010, 6:53 AM UTC

..by a startup? (For web development that is, so: PHP, Python, or Ruby.)

A while ago, I saw a graph that compared the different languages, but can't find it now.

Re: Ask HN: What language to learn to get hired...

#2

Post by mindcrime » Fri, Dec 31, 2010, 7:35 AM UTC

I'm pretty sure there are startups using any and all of the listed options, along with Scala, Erlang, Clojure, Haskell, Common Lisp, OCaml, Java, C, C++, Standard ML, Prolog, C#, Visual Basic, Ada, Tcl, Perl, COBOL, FORTRAN, RPG/400, APL, Pascal, JCL, PL/I, GW-BASIC, Whitespace, Befunge, Brainfuck, and Intercal.

IMO: Learn something you find interesting, instead of worrying about "what do I learn to get hired." You'll be happier in the long run.

That said, don't underestimate the power of "COBOL on COGS." http://www.coboloncogs.org/INDEX.HTM

Re: Ask HN: What language to learn to get hired...

#3

Post by donniefitz2 » Fri, Dec 31, 2010, 7:45 AM UTC

I think PHP is not a bad choice. It's not as cool as Ruby but it gets things done (not that Ruby doesn't). If I were in your shoes, I'd go with Ruby, just because my intuition says so.

Re: Ask HN: What language to learn to get hired...

#4

Post by chrisaycock » Fri, Dec 31, 2010, 8:33 AM UTC

All three of those are used by various web start-ups. So unless you have a particular employer in mind you'd like to target, just learn whichever you find most interesting.