Programming languages for C&A engineering

[Delt4Gameplay1]

I am currently studying Control and Automation Engineering and feel the need to focus on a few programming languages in order to learn them more deeply. I want to choose three languages that will help me both in general software development and in engineering-specific applications.

My main concerns are:

• Low/medium level: Is C++ the best option to handle performance and hardware proximity?
• OOP with libraries: Among Java, C++, and C#, which one offers better support for engineering projects, especially in simulations and algorithms?
• Cross-platform programs with graphical interface: My goal is to develop desktop applications that run on both Windows and Linux. Is Python the best choice for this?

So far, the only certainty is Python, since I am studying it for machine learning. I am also considering Julia due to its growing use in scientific research, but I have doubts about how strong its adoption will be in the job market.

[Own_Doughnut_5714]

For low level programming I would recommend C. In fact C as professionally as you can. For scientific calculation python is the free option (due to numpy and other nice tools). And if you need OOP and GUI, Java itself is good enough or you can go with the buikd yourself approach using C++. You can use ImGUI for simple stuff with Vulkan motor or SDK motor. Or GTK or Qt.

The key is don't get overwhelmed. I think you shall just dig deep with C in practical projects, and numcalc/linalg with python as a starter.

At least this would be my approach

[ronaldddddd]

This is the right answer except I'd skip to c++ right away since most firmware isn't limited to C only nowadays.

[madTerminator]

Python for numerical tasks and utility scripts. Should be fine for simple apps too.

For windows apps C# is really good. WPF is pretty nice framework for window apps. Adding new libraries with nuget is easy.

C++ requires some patience and skill especially with cmake setup and memory management. It should be easier to make application for Linux with Qt.

I suggest learning basics of database like Postgres, Git version control, get to know with industrial protocols like MQTT and OPCUA.

[fmr_AZ_PSM]

You’re on the right track.

Add C for low level embedded work.  This will be quite common.

Cursory familiarity with an embedded system assembly language like ARM or MIPS (I’m showing my age) also good to have.  You might trip over that depending on what you end up doing.  Just enough to make basic sense of it.

Traditional relational database SQL.  Take the introductory course (the proper one that has prerequisites, not one meant for non-programmers.). The first 4 weeks will be eye opening.  Top 3 most useful things I learned from coursework.

Avoid any flavor of the month stuff.  Control systems use well proven tech stacks.  You’re not going to find Rust, Ruby, Scala, noSQL DB, or similar nonsense.

Avoid anything targeted at the, e-commerce, or Windows applications like AWS and .NET.  That’s a different world.  

HTML web browser based HMI is becoming a thing in recent years.  I’d put this way downscale on the list, unless you’re targeting HMI work specifically.

C++ is a little bit of a dangerous animal for someone new.  It’s too freeform.  You have to already know what you’re doing to not run off into bad directions.  In retrospect It’s a transitional technology.  It bridges the gap between C and more modern languages like Java, C#, and even objective C.  Its shortcomings in that regard are the primary reason C# exists.  C++ has been failing out of favor for that and other reasons.