The next programming language to learn for a .NET developer ?

Richard Deeming

Don't forget Malbolge[^] and Whitespace[^]. ;P

"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer

AspDotNetDev

ASP.NET MVC 4 (+JavaScript, jQuery, CSS). Or maybe that newfangled Windows Runtime stuff (especially XAML).

Terrence Dorsey

Does learning yet another way to use .NET really get you anywhere? Maybe learning a new framework (or, dare I say, platform?) would be more beneficial. Expanding horizons and all. It wouldn't hurt to be less career dependent on the future of .NET. But regardless of that, you're likely to encounter some ideas and practices that improve your .NET programming. Barring that, TypeScript looks promising and is a good gateway to what the rest of the world is doing on the web.

Director of Content Development, The Code Project

PIEBALDconsult

If you have a good foundation in a number of languages and paradigms (I can't believe I wrote that) then you will be well-prepared for whatever they throw at you. All general-purpose programming languages do essentially the same things, just differently. Viva la difference!

irneb

Yep, methinks so too. You're better off being able to jump to anything else than simply learn a new interface into DotNet. From past experience, MS's libraries don't last for much more than 10 years - if they're used a lot, unlike stuff such as SilverLight :laugh: So the much more pertinent question is: What new set of libs should you be on the lookout for. And then you can relax and learn some weird programming concepts (try the strangest language you can find - by all means) to make you a better programmer instead of someone who knows how to look into DotNet from a different angle :zzz: . I'd recommend Lisp & C to start off with. Those 2 would probably give you a grounding for absolutely all possible concepts yet devised in the entire programming field. Thereafter learn languages for fun. Try to make something for another system (e.g. Linux / Mac / Android / etc. etc. etc.) Try to make same portable - to work on any system with only a re-compile at worst! Once you can do all that, you've literally covered all your bases, no way you will get a curve-ball in the head :wtf:

dazfuller

C++ and JavaScript are going to take over the world Also, give Go (http://golang.org[^]) a try. There's also a move to functional programming so give Haskell or F# a try And don't forget Python, it's the glue holding everything together. Oh, and if you want to do data analysis then also check out R (http://www.r-project.org/[^])

Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines

Alexander DiMauro

How about LOLCODE[^] It even has a .NET compiler: http://code.google.com/p/lolcode-dot-net/[^]

I have always wished for my computer to be as easy to use as my telephone; my wish has come true because I can no longer figure out how to use my telephone - Bjarne Stroustrup The world is going to laugh at you anyway, might as well crack the 1st joke! My code has no bugs, it runs exactly as it was written.

pinx

It depends if you want to build on your existing experience, or if you want to learn something completely different. Personally, I chose to step into the Ruby on Rails world. It's like emigrating to China (or Japan): different language, but also different habits, conventions, norms, values and brand names ("Capistrano" sounds like a coffee brand). It's hard at first, but fun as well. There's a good free course CS169. Search Youtube as well.

Rob Grainger

To really force yourself to learn functional programming properly, its hard to beat Haskell, as its purity prevents you slipping back into procedural approaches too easily.

ISanti

I am in C# and F# for now, my next movement learn C++ for Win RT.

Sorry for my bad English

User 9532462

No kidding... India is already outsourcing to Mexico.

Andrew Rissing

He's probably just using Google translate ;-)

User 9276933

Haskel. Functional programing is the future. Seriously.

jdsIII

patbob

irneb wrote:

I'd recommend Lisp & C to start off with

Functional language, yes, C, meh. Unmanaged C++ is probably better than C, you'll learn most of the same fun as C and know the most likely language used to solve problems that don't fit C# and VB* well. After those, as irneb suggests, do some dev for another system. I recommend some mobile development, and android in particular, because its new libs, language, IDE, application model, execution environment, product mentality, etc. all rolled into one.

We can program with only 1's, but if all you've got are zeros, you've got nothing.

Leng Vang

Learn Typescript, can't go wrong. Its the new javascript to be.

Schmuli

I know you said a MS standpoint, but what about getting familiar with Mono? You know C# and .NET already, so how about learning how to run it on other platforms? I know if I had the time that is what I would do, even if it's just to see for myself what the differences are.

User 4607077

I think you all miss the point... I think Microsoft is going to loose it, and will be bankrupt in a few years So, move outside the MS world... I am a .NET developer myself, but am considering moving to Java or something like that... Currently MS is messing up everything they touch.. i expect Android to take over the complete desktop world as well... like they already did with the phones, tables..browser.. and so..or are you honestly telling me you still use IE or outlook?

ClockMeister

Personally, I think we've got enough languages. I'd rather become more proficient in C# and T-SQL (the languages I'm currently using) than to constantly change my tools. I know it seems to be a badge of distinction to be able to list knowledge of 50 languages on your resume, but getting results with the 2 or 3 you know ain't too bad either. If the art industry was the same as ours is, painters would be constantly trading in their pallets for the "new improved Paint Pallet 2012". You got to get this one, you'll paint your "Mona Lisa" in 1/3 the time! I'm all for learning, but learning doesn't always have to be "horizontal". (I.E. instead of learning new languages every year, how 'bout learning the features of the one you're using. C# is incredibly rich). At some point you gotta pick your tools and stick with them for awhile! You just can't be an expert at two dozen things at one time. If you think you can, my hat's off to you. I know some people who are so distracted by "upgrade fever" that they never really get anything done. They haven't got time ... they've got to be figuring out how that new tool works whether they need it or not! Sorry guys for the rant. I know you were just excited about learning .Net. I'm just getting sick of the distractions of it. Everybody has something to sell! -CB ;-)

jschell

Manivannan Ponnusamy wrote:

am in to C#, VB.NET, VBA for now.

Where now means what? 2 years or 10?

Manivannan Ponnusamy wrote:

Wondering what could be the best bet to learn from a MS developer standpoint ?

Presuming that you already have an in depth knowledge of one of the ones that you you mentioned the TSQL (the SQL in MS SQL Server) would be a good step. SQL, any SQL, requires that you think substantially different than versus the languages you know. TSQL has a significant impact on business applications and even if you don't want to do back end development understanding the requirements would help in most business development. And of course if you want to do smaller projects then knowing it is probably a requirement.

Dalriadic

With the large number of Android and iOS devices out there, (and MS leadership's incompetency in the mobile market), it would be beneficial to learn Objective-C and/or Java.