TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Looking for Advise... From:Scott Gray <scotty -at- CM -dot- MATH -dot- UIUC -dot- EDU> Date:Tue, 27 Jan 1998 20:14:29 -0600
I may have an agenda but I recommend learning JavaScript.
Why? Well eventually (if you want to make cool stuff) you should learn
Java. JavaScript is a great place to learn the type of syntax you will
be using in Java. JavaScript is simple, and fun to learn since you can
make it do cool things on a web page. JavaScript was the best preparation
for me to learn Java. Before learning JavaScript, I tried learning Java
with no success, then I learned JavaScript and suddenly Java made more
sense.
You see, JavaScript uses the same syntax rules for objects that Java and
C++ use.
For the beginner in programming I definitely recommend JavaScript.
Now here is where my agenda comes in....go learn JavaScript at my
website....
"I hear and I forget, I see and I forget, I do and I forget" -- confused.
On Tue, 27 Jan 1998, Kris Olberg wrote:
> Someone said ...
>
> >> JAVA Java java! It's not going to go away. It's somewhat like C, in
> >> that learning one structured language will make it easier for you to
> >> understand another. It's in high demand right now.
>
>
> Java is more like C++ than it is C. There are significant differences
> between C and C++; C is a functional programming language while C++ is
> object oriented. Don't be fooled; knowing C can only prepare someone for
> learning C++.
>
> BTW, I don't recommend Java for tech writers unless the writer has a
> hankering to become a programmer. I don't recommend C and C++ for writers
> for the same reason. These languages are very powerful and have many
> features. They have significant learning curves. Besides, I wouldn't
> recommend that anyone without advanced math skills program in either
> language.
>
> As always, YMMV. If you want to learn C, C++, or Java, give it a try. But be
> warned--HTML they are not.
>
> >> Learning things like Visual Basic is a good idea, but to me VB doesn't
> >> really qualify as a full programming language, any more than HTML
> >> qualifies as a real programming language.
>
> Ridiculous. Visual Basic is as much a programming language as C and C++ are.
> The biggest difference between VB and the C's is that the C's allow you to
> manage memory to your liking, where VB does not. The advantages of using VB
> over the C's are evident: rapid development cycles and safe code.
>
> 'Nuf said. This is off-topic anyway.
>
> Regards...Kris
> ------------------------------
> kolberg -at- actamed -dot- com
> kris -at- olberg -dot- com
>
>
>