Small tidbit of info about Gaia

[The Unintelligible]

Well, I currently don't know too much programming. I'm taking a Comp Sci class that teaches Java. Would you suggest going down the C++ road, or instead learning Python, Ruby, or Java or something?

Python or Java. Then maybe Ruby or C++.

[323]

Python or Java. Then maybe Ruby or C++.

Hmm, I guess maybe python then, because I really don't like how java runs in a virtual environment and stuff. It just seems extremely sluggish after using C++.

Why do you suggest those first? Just because they're more high-level?

[The Unintelligible]

Hmm, I guess maybe python then, because I really don't like how java runs in a virtual environment and stuff. It just seems extremely sluggish after using C++.

Why do you suggest those first? Just because they're more high-level?

Not only because they're more high-level, but because they're more fundamental. C++ is lower-level, as in it's further away from human abstraction. Sometimes that's a bad thing, but it works both ways.

Here's pros and cons to both.

C++:

Pro

-It could teach you the inner-workings of a computer and programming language better.
-It's faster (in execution/program speed) when speed is more crucial for development.
-Compiled/binary: write once, compile anywhere (with an appropriate compiler/libraries available).

Contra

-Less portability due to it having to be linked externally to a linker program.
-Considerably more difficult (particularly for beginners/novices). Though this is subjective.
-Slower in writing/development due to the above point.
-Lower human readability.
-Takes more time and work (i.e. manual memory allocation/dellocation/management).
-Redundant.
-Frankly, pointers are going to suck. This probably belongs in the "difficult" point.

I crossed out the last two cons considering they're more or less moot points.

Python/Java:

Pro

-More readability (closer to human language as its more lexical - i.e. instead of || (logical OR) it uses the word "or").
-Generally faster (in development speed) due to there being generally less code required and the higher-level/scripting model.
-Garbage-collected. No explicit memory management being required since it's handled internally by the language.
-More portability. Write once, run/deploy anywhere: Runs on any machine with a VM/interpreter present and it's good to go.

Contra

-Generally slower due to interpreted nature.

Sadly, that's all I can think of at the top of my head right now. But that should be sufficient for you to make an ultimate decision. If you need further explanation of any of these things, don't hesitate to ask.

And as for Java, a VM is basically just an interpreter for the code when it's translated to a machine independent byte-code intermediate by the internal compilation process. Just think of it as a fancy term for "interpreter." It becomes a rather transparent term once you actually learn Java which is fairly easy.

[323]

Not only because they're more high-level, but because they're more fundamental. C++ is lower-level, as in it's further away from human abstraction. Sometimes that's a bad thing, but it works both ways.

Here's pros and cons to both.

C++:

Pro

-It could teach you the inner-workings of a computer and programming language better.
-It's faster (in execution/program speed) when speed is more crucial for development.
-Compiled/binary: write once, compile anywhere (with an appropriate compiler/libraries available).

Contra

-Less portability due to it having to be linked externally to a linker program.
-Considerably more difficult (particularly for beginners/novices). Though this is subjective.
-Slower in writing/development due to the above point.
-Lower human readability.
-Takes more time and work (i.e. manual memory allocation/dellocation/management).
-Redundant.
-Frankly, pointers are going to suck. This probably belongs in the "difficult" point.

I crossed out the last two cons considering they're more or less moot points.

Python/Java:

Pro

-More readability (closer to human language as its more lexical - i.e. instead of || (logical OR) it uses the word "or").
-Generally faster (in development speed) due to there being generally less code required and the higher-level/scripting model.
-Garbage-collected. No explicit memory management being required since it's handled internally by the language.
-More portability. Write once, run/deploy anywhere: Runs on any machine with a VM/interpreter present and it's good to go.

Contra

-Generally slower due to interpreted nature.

Sadly, that's all I can think of at the top of my head right now. But that should be sufficient for you to make an ultimate decision. If you need further explanation of any of these things, don't hesitate to ask.

And as for Java, a VM is basically just an interpreter for the code when it's translated to a machine independent byte-code intermediate by the internal compilation process. Just think of it as a fancy term for "interpreter." It becomes a rather transparent term once you actually learn Java which is fairly easy.

Hmm, I see. Well, I already know and understand most of the less-lexical parts of programming, so I don't mind C++ at all, though you're right - pointers are a pain and I really didn't understand them. So, maybe I'll start with Java, then move into C++.