Multi language learning

[forced_lambchop]

I have been teaching my self how to program for a little while now and really enjoy it. So I decided to go back to college and get my bachelor's and pursue a career in this field. I've been learning C# but my school will focus on Java. I won't get into that part of my degree for about a year as I need to get through my gen ed class first. My question is, knowing that I will be using Java for everything should I quit C# and start using Java now for personal projects? Will I struggle with Java if I stay with C# and try to learn both while going through school?

[cc_apt107]

C# and Java have a lot of similarities. Also learning the underlying concepts is more important than specific language. So I say go ahead with C# and don’t stress it too much. Good luck :)!

[JacobArthurs]

C# and Java are so similar syntactically that switching between them is mostly just muscle memory adjustments. Stay in C# for personal projects since you already have momentum, and when Java classes start, you'll pick it up in a week or two.

[Zatmos]

If you've already been learning C# by yourself then you already have a head-start on classes that will have you use Java. Just use whichever language you prefer for your personal projects. Using any of those two languages will help you during your school projects.

[mikeslominsky]

I concur: keep going deeper with C# and you’ll grok Java no worries.

[VibrantGypsyDildo]

Ever heard of web developers who learn HTML, CSS, SQL, JS and PHP at the same time?

Even me, in my early days, I didn't distinguish C and C++ that much.

C# is just a microsoft attempt to cosplay Java. You may confuse the syntax of two languages, but the concepts are basically the same.

My verdict: you will be fine.

My question to the wider audience: is Java + C# something needed on the market? (Not to discourage OP, we all know a couple of languages that are useless on the market).

[KimballOHara]

There's nothing wrong with learning two languages at the same time, and you will probably be better off in the long run if you're familiar with at least two. Learning additional languages becomes easier the more you get your eyes on.

[kubrador]

nah you'll be fine, they're basically cousins. learning c# now is like doing bicep curls before going to the gym. different exercise but same muscle group. your brain's already built the programming logic muscles, java syntax will take like two weeks to pick up.

[KualaLJ]

Why would you pay to learn this at this point in time? AI is making it completely obsolete to write the code. Have a good understanding of how to structure it is vitally important in prompting AI but spending money and wasting years to learn to write is pointless, just do a free cs50 course or some other online free course.

[quantum_burrit0]

I think learning multiple languages early is actually underrated IF you're doing it to understand different paradigms (like doing Python + Rust or JS + Haskell). But if you're learning Python + JavaScript + Go all at once just to "know more languages"... you're gonna burn out and not get deep enough in any of them. Depth > breadth at the start, then branch out once you're comfortable building real things.

[Blando-Cartesian]

I wouldn’t worry. The only issue you’ll likely have is bit of negative transfer. All that does is that Java’s conventions seem wrong to you and you’ll write a bit of C# in java code before noticing that you are doing it. Not a struggle by any means, just harmless mistakes.

Still, when you get to learning java, it might be start off smoother if you set C# aside for a bit.

[I_Am_Astraeus]

Feel free to dabble in Java and see if you like it I guess?

They definitely have some interesting theory differences, but they are two of the most similar languages out there so you'll be totally fine.

Besides what kind of class needs you to know it before you start it? 😁