Lots of RAM 4+ to run multiple services and apps (i have oracle, mysql, eclipse, tomcat, glassfish all running at the same time, sometimes , )
Good CPU speed with multicore or hyperthreading support
Large Hard disk is need for videos

Graphic design might require image rendering etc., so you might need a system with a dedicated GPU (More expensive though)

The bigger the Screen the better, but you have to compromise for portability and power consumption.
I used to prefer 15" but now use 13" cause i do presentations a lot, so i need a small and light laptop.

15" is a good balance though, good screen area for an IDE

pele,

not to scare you, but C data structures are the most complex :

Linked list, stack, heap, dynamic array, structs, unions etc .

most c books should have this or simply google for the listed topics.
The first one is online and probably too much (for undergrads) the second link is a downloadable PDF. enjoy
http://www.academictutorials.com/data-structure/
[url]http://www.ldc.usb.ve/~vtheok/cursos/ci2125/material/curso%20C%202/815.pdf[/url]

eyanpataki:

wow, am a new member on this thread, anyways, i have really learned new things especially the weaknesses of java
but please if am doing java as a favourite programming language, is it easy for me to enter programming in c#
or any Microsoft visual studio capabilities(c sharp, vb,.net etc)
thank you.
i am a java programmer/trainee

@eyanpataki
If all you learned is the weakness of Java, then that's a shame. And maybe a shame on some of the less than responsible analysis on this thread. I'd advice you to not make judgments regarding language and platforms too quickly. Every platform has its strengths, and a good developer needs to understand several platforms and languages (yes, even Java and .NET mix). So concentrate on the language that gets the most done for you, keep reading books and code written by developers that are better than you (We all know when we see beautiful code) and the best language or platform becomes moot.

Most of the guys with the solid argument for or against .NET or Java can conveniently use both platforms if their bread and butter depends on it. Don't be fooled! 

Beaf:

The long and short is, C# is no little game. Its funny that things have come full swing and the latest version of Java is based on the advances in C#.

I agree with the first part, but i'm curious what advances in C# is the latest version of Java based on ?

@akhil_vts
you're repeating the same arguments as if its a mantra, I think you should read deeper and wider to understand where the .NET framework stands in the software landscape. This is not an argument for java, but rather all platforms(including .NET).

akhil_vts:

Through .Net Framework we can access the functionalities that is implemented in programs that execute outisde the .Net environment. Eg:

true, but applicable to java as well

akhil_vts:


2) Has got Language Independence
Microsoft provides support for a lot of languages like
a) Microsoft Visual Basic
b) C#
c) J#
d) Microsoft Visual C++
e) Javascript
f) HTML
A programmer who is coding in C# can use the code written in Visual Basic. Similarly, a programmer who is coding in J# can use the code written in C#.

true, but with certain conditions. All programming languages are equal, but some are more equal than others.

akhil_vts:

3) Simplified Deployment:
.Net framework has a very simplified deployment wizard so that the installation of the computer software could be managed easily.
4) Security:
.Net applications are highly secure ones. The framework has been designed in such a way so as to address small vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows.

Almost all apps are susceptible, to buffer overflows. And this is not an advantage to be touted against other managed environs like java, but rather we're saying its safer to work in a sand box.

akhil_vts:

5) Faster development:
Through .Net we can make compelling applications much faster.

arguably true, but I've heard some environs are even faster.

akhil_vts:

6) Base Class Library:
This is a library of functionalities available to the .Net Framework. This porvides classes which consists of a number of common functions like - file reading/writing, database interaction, XML data manipulation etc.

what they're not saying is, Microsoft has written file reading/writing, database interaction, XML data manipulation etc. for you. So morons try not to screw this up too much (I agree, but aren't those the advantages of any library ?)

akhil_vts:

7) Portability:
The .Net framework is portable. Its platform independent. Though till now, Microsoft has not implemented the full framework on any other system except its own. Yet Microsoft has already submitted specifications for Common Language Infrastructure (which includes all class libraries),

How can it be portable when it has only one major port ? yeah, yeah mono ? GCC is more portable

akhil_vts:

1) .Net, first and foremost is a very fast development tool. Applications that would take 1 month in .Net framework would take around 3 months in JAVA.

This is a dubious statistic, are you talking from personal experience ? I agree that for years, IDE tools had been a major problem for Java compared to .NET but the gap has, largely been bridged. Besides you can't even conclude on dev speed based on IDE availability alone, many factors come in such as flexible choices, community support, api maturity etc.

akhil_vts:

2) .Net, neing a very fast development tool is much more cheaper than JAVA.

Dubious stat again!

akhil_vts:

3) JAVA in itself is a language. Here, you can do only coding in JAVA. But .Net is a development platform where you can use the coding languages according to your convenience. You have the options of using Visual C++, C#, J# or Visual Basic, whichever you feel most comfortable with.

Yes, java is a language . Java is also a platform or you can refer to JSE, JEE, JME etc. Also i could be more comfortable with Fortran. What's your point here ? That people can program with their language of choice on .NET ? if that's it, ok ? Of course, you must be committed to using dot.NET first. Why program in FORTRAN.NET when i can simply program in FORTRAN ?

akhil_vts:

4) JAVA GUI based programs look alien on the host operating systems. .Net's GUI is much better compared to JAVA's.

Yes, you are mostly correct. But have you heard of the SWT library ? (you're forgiven if you've not)
Also have you seen a .NET app run on AIX running blackbox as the window manager ? How about enlightenment WM in Linux ?
How does the .NET GUI look?

You should be aware that GUI look and feel is entirely subjective, what you're really saying(I don't know if you mean it) is that windows native look and feel is better than all other OSes.

You're obviously a .NET fanatic cool, but things are rarely black or white.
Forget language wars, the real beauty of .NET (in my opinion) which you've not looked at is the ease of application enhancement ala MS office tools: You can simple continue from where Microsoft stopped in developing consistent, robust, and simple apps for your clients.

The art of charting a course for a computer to follow.

The degree of success of the programmer can be measured by willingness of the computer to follow the charted course and lack of surprise from the programmer when the route is taken.

dead thread has resurrected ,

2 very important attributes of OO are : inheritance & encapsulation.

If you think in these terms, its always better to use an OO style rather than procedural approach. Personally, i hate dirty code. I don't like seeing a programmers implementation details ( Many don't know when to use private. protected etc.).

If you add this to the modern IDEs, its always a pleasure programming OO rather than the monolithic style of procedural.

Look at the kind of possibilities with javascript libraries like Jquery, OO has put javascript on steroids. Its not as if javascript hasn't always been powerful, but harnessing and controlling this power has been beyond most programmers. OO helps manage the complexity ,

I have to admit that there are areas of programming where OO is not necessarily the best fit, like functional programming but most apps can benefit from an OO strategy. A solid example of OO with some functional style programming is the hibernate library, sweet ,

If you check the origins of programming, it was pioneered by mathematicians and mathematical pursuits. Also programming of systems outside the typical business application(GUI, submit form etc.) usually requires some mathematical effort or grounding in formal methods.

For example in algorithm design do you bother to chek if your algorithm is well bounded ? How would it behave if requests multilied from 50k to 50million.

Some might argue that many applications don't need the kind of support to do 50m requests, they are probably right. Unfortunately once you've built your app without the right considerations, you'll be i'll prepared for the
kind of growth it might see.

So a good programmer(perceived) would be even better with a good understanding of mathematics. Maths is a good skill to have for that 1 out a 100 tasks you do that might need you to think out of the box.

you need a java trainer ?

Hello all,

I need a java web developer urgently, for 2months +

The skill set is :

Struts 2
hibernate
spring
jquery

Most JEE developers would have the requisite skills, so don't hesitate to indicate with your email if you're interested.

Mobinga:

Ditch Java

stick to whatever you know ,

Java technology is used heavily in at least 8 major banks i know and ALL the telcos ,

"Head first Java" is probably the best for beginners, but my favorite is "Thinking in Java". The emphasis is on teaching Java and OO, not on getting cute results like a fancy GUI.

The Deitel book covers a lot of ground, so it has become the defacto introductory text to Java.

Whichever u choose, do it quickly there are so many other books to read, literally hundreds : head first design patterns, Effective Java, Java concurrency in practice, java performance tunning, Java Database Best Practices etc. (these are my favorites)


check this link out http://stackoverflow.com/questions/75102/best-java-book-you-have-read-so-far
Good luck reading

Torrents are a very useful way of getting them ,

Look for Orielly 4 Gb Collection

you don't need netbeans to run any java app ,

simply create an executable jar file(you don't need .exe either).

Check jar documentation

iarm:

Ghengis: Dynamic tracing isn't limited to Solaris -- check your resources.

Neither one of your points have suggested that it is better (or worse) to use Solaris for application development yet,

okay, if you say so ,

iarm:

A filesystem doesn't make an operating system better or worse to develop application programs on. Rethink your statement, or come back when you're less silly.

why are u compelled to throw about insults, on a public forum ? Please, its not necessary.

Ok, so you know about ZFS and feel it has no impact on developing apps, fine ,

What of Dtrace ?

iarm:

In what ways is Solaris the best platform for application software development?

Apart from feats like the ZFS, threading capabilities of the Solaris OS is more extensive.

Dtrace http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTrace is just another example

http://developers.sun.com/solaris/tools/proglang/java/index.jsp

hmm, its never too late like everyone says, but age matters because programming requires patience and time.

I can assure you'd still be learning tricks by 38, if you're okay with that then programming is for you.

iarm:

Your response makes no sense.

Ghenghis:

If you're looking for easy accessibility windows
if you use Java, the OS might not be important ,

If you want the best platform for [advanced] programming , Solaris ; there are some great features that don't exist in other OSes such as Dtrace

Its a shame , Sun is no more ,we'll miss their engineering wizardry

Is this what doesn't make sense ?
Ok i'll summarize it ;

Windows platforms have the largest user base, programs and programmers so windows has the highest number of tools. Its easier to start programming for windows.

I think Solaris , however, is the best platform for developing application!

dueal:

Yes C is the industries choice language for systems programming cause it abstracts the machines architecture one level up enabling the programmer think more in terms of the problem than the hardware yet giving the programmer full control to specify operations and directly access system resources(main memory, registers, ports). You might wonder why don't people just use the assembly language of a device directly.

to add to @duels comments which are very right C provides a useful abstraction of the underlying hardware i.e. its hot as high level as other Object Oriented languages. Also in C is a deterministic language platform; looking at a C program, you can tell how long every operation might take, you can also calculate the size of your data structures quickly. Languages like java(in its ordinary form) have too much baggage for embedded devices.

If you're looking for easy accessibility windows
if you use Java, the OS might not be important ,

If you want the best platform for [advanced] programming , Solaris ; there are some great features that don't exist in other OSes such as Dtrace

Its a shame , Sun is no more ,we'll miss their engineering wizardry

dueal:

c/c++ isn't a language built with an automatic garbage collector within it and mobile devices have limited resource. So, if a programmer using C/C++ isn't careful enough u could crash the system.

As an aside ,

Does automatic garbage collection ensure more resources are available in a constrained system ?

Also the Symbian OS' native programming language is C++ ,

thats why its better to start of with sampling e-books(though hard copies are best for beginners) .

I have many hard copies, but i only buy a book after i've properly checked out its positive
(and negative) reviews on amazon.

I have at least 20 IT books (hard copies) but hundreds of e-books. If i don't like an e-book its easier to simply delete it.

Movingcoil:

everytime, the problem here is that am still studying C newly and haven't reached the chapter of arrays, so maybe would understand better when I reach there

Thats the classical beginner problem, can't wait to write code.

I'm the opposite, when learning something new(languages or frameworks) , i usually go through the manual first and understand the nitty gritty. Any code i write is done in a note pad.

Also get a good C book and practice ONLY the exercises in the book, it would guide you through the language rather than you hitting your foot/head on every rock in your way.
When i was in school there used to be turbo C manuals everywhere (bus stops). Turbo C is still the best tool to learn C, it comes with a great debugger also. Keep it simple .
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikibooks/en/f/f8/C_programming.pdf

Beaf:

I was a victim of UML long ago.
I worked in a politically charged place as lead developer of a beast of a project. . . But, we also had a "technical architect". Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with technical architects (there was just a lot wrong with this particular one). This dude managed to convince the whole World that round tripping made him an ace developer and that management could 100% visualise every line of code we laid out. . . You know the drill. Damn!

Added to all of that is the fact that UML has no real standards (forget about OMG), every vendor has their own little proprietary thing going (and there are many vendors). To top that up xmi is so loose that it is possible for tools to interpret it in a thousand different ways, leading to a lack of diagram portability.

Flowcharts are much more useful than UML in my opinion. They are simple, intuitive and straight to the point. I spend periods wondering if UML really isn’t a scam.

haaa , sorry o ! I accused you wrongly !
Thats the classical problem with UML, people focus on the artifacts instead of focusing on the primary purpose.
I've faced the kind of situation you described before, i cut my teeth on RUP (Rational Unified Process) before i even started writing code professionally (it wasn't nice, but my boss wanted it that way) .

The UML i'm recommending is the style adopted by agile methods, just enough to get the information across to the stakeholders.
Not code every line in UML.

Really if had you combine UML and agile, that "technical architect" would have seen the error of his ways
Imagine spending 2 months on UML stuff, only to throw them away and start again the third month.

And Yes flow charts are great

For instance imagine describing the thread lifecycle with/without UML

Hmmm, Interesting thread,

Beaf:

To me, programming is logic and logic is a much bigger thing than mathematics (it embodies math, critical thinking, argument and inference etc). Even algorithm development is not 100% math, rather it is about how well defined, optimised processes fit together to perform a task. Formal mathematics might or might not be involved in the definition the individual processes.

In Nigeria, where there really isn't much to go by (platform choices, tools, information, connectedness etc), I believe that the best way to drive the grassroots higher, would be to approach programming from a more process centric point of view that can easily be visualised. So that for example, rather than present a rigid calculus equation and a cold academic thesis, we could simply present a graphic of a loop and its conditions. Remember also, that since logic is not taught to any extent at primary and secondary levels in Nigeria, this reserves certain types of thought processes to the naturally gifted only (which is a huge loss).

@Beaf i don't quite agree with you regarding Mathematics and logic, every algorithm can be represented formally (after all even the compiler was built using rigid formal structures). Also i think Nigeria is a microcosm of what you'll find everywhere, business applications brought computing into the main stream and they are driven not by complexity(alone) but rather by simplicity(hence the UI focus).

The main challenge in business applications is change control, how do we adapt a ginomous app that was built 10 years ago to support 2000 more devices, make it faster and do all this by clicking on an "update" button ? 



I once took a course in UML, and one lesson i learnt was, the primary purpose of UML is communication, u can use it in any way as long as that primary purpose is fulfilled. Once u see it in that light, u wont feel u have to use every artifact. I feel these cover most of what i need

[list]
[li]use case diagram
sequence diagram
State diagram
class diagram
[/li]
[/list]

Beaf:

.
I too, don't like UML. It is for non-technical managers and architects.

Hmm, so how would technical managers and architects communicate ? Code ? If Code, which language ?
Significant effort was put into UML because there was a very gaping need for it, its not just for show ,

A regular database would typically be Online transactional access, OLTP ,

A data warehouse would give you a 360 view of data, its usually designed with lots of redundancy with information mining in mind. Its not optimal or efficient to use your Data warehouse for regular stuff.

IG:

As you grow in the programming profession, you find yourself doing less coding and more administrative work. This is irrespective of weather you are a business owner or an employee. Those who stick to programming still code less. They do things like architecture design, team management and mentoring more than actual coding. But they never lose their skills. I think at some point, programming becomes part of you and you find yourself doing more with less code and learning new things without making much effort.

Let me put it this way, as you grow in the programming profession, you graduate from a foot soldier to a horse riding commander.

Couldn't agree more ,

I don't write as much code as i used to(not even close) but programming only seems to get easier, it seems concepts that have been conquered before remain easy. I sometimes feel like a cheat when younger/less experienced coders get stuck, and i just give them a few tips and everything is running again.
I guess its true, you can't buy experience   (at least not cheaply)

Does anyone in the house have SDKs for Ingenico i7910 POS terminals ?

I got a POS from someone and I'm interested in adding the POS to my lab.

Thanks in advance.

@IG you're mixing things up
C# is an ECMA standard but its just a language that can actually be implemented on a platform (maybe even Java).

So we have the language (C#, VB.NET etc.) and platform (.NET)
with Java, you have the Java language and the platforms (JEE, JSE, JME) which people also refer to as Java.

Don't mix up the Java platform with the Java language.

If you check, JVMs and compilers where developed independently by Sun, IBM, BEA etc. yes SUN moderated the JCP(Java Community Process) for many years but Java development was not exclusively theirs , besides, all that is now history, Java is now Open Source

I don't know when Java would die, but from where i'm sitting it doesn't appear to be any time soon. Yes its relevance in some areas might become lost to MS technologies in certain areas (maybe desktop) but its stronger than ever in Enterprise world.

I work in IT Consulting and the number of applications running on Unix platforms are still significant, If we take some simple facts like:
IBM AIX, Sun Solaris, HP UX and Linux serve a huge chunk of Enterprise computing needs, these systems are UNIX based and Java is still the NUMBER ONE solution platform here, by a significant margin,

In a few years, i foresee Java and .NET platforms establishing niche areas and dying of in other areas, simple!

Beaf:

As for Anonymous Inner Classes, I really love to refer to this list all the time for C#'s advantages;
    * Much more concise syntax in C# with lambda expressions and anonymous methods
    * Type inference
    * General support for delegates in the language (method group conversions etc)
    * Multi-cast delegates with language support
    * Events (simple syntax for the observer pattern based on delegates)
    * Asynchronous execution via the system thread-pool
    * Expression trees with language support
Source: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1246534/real-advantages-of-net-delegates-over-javas-anon-classes

Copy 'n' paste.
Yeah C# is great, its probably more powerful than Java but there's a pattern known by most scientists and many other disciplines, its called the Golden rule . If you apply this to programming language features we can come to the following conclusions:

Only 20% of a programming language features will account for 80% of written code.

What this helps language designers and programmers do is prioritize and determine which features are most important and where research focus should be placed.

I programmed C# for 2 years, and i almost always had to refer back to the manuals when using delegates.
Its a nice feature but its not better than interfaces, it compliments it. What this means is that there is a right and wrong time to use the feature, how many programmers know this ? How many gunslingers bother to find out when not to use it ?
(There's a tendency for a guy thats good with a hammer to see all problems as nails).

Every Language has a price in terms of complexity and understanding, in my opinion C# is tilting to the complexity side