Best languages for Linux Admins to learn?
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Hi all, I'm looking to dive a bit deeper into programming, and I have a few app ideas I'd like to build. The market is flooded with different languages for different tasks. I am hoping to find the language that will pay off the most in the end for me, one that will help me in my day job of Linux Administration as well as help me build useful cross platform applications. Java/Kotlin seems most directly tied to the Unix/Linux platform. Java all over industry, and Kotlin starting to make a bigger splash. Kotlin would at least bring familiarity to the JVM and it's quirks. C# is moving .Net core to be the new standard that is Linux, Mac and Windows friendly. At this point this is not commonly used in enterprise to my experience (.Net on Linux). Html5 or JavaScript seems to be a great way to make webapps or even mobile apps in some cases. Very Linux friendly, but don't know how useful long term... C++ is pretty happy on all platforms, and there are tools for building GUIs or just cmdline tools. Pascal/Delphi, this is a unique choice that is home on all platforms including all types of mobile. Under represented and not really prevalent in Enterprise industry at all. Any votes?
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Hi all, I'm looking to dive a bit deeper into programming, and I have a few app ideas I'd like to build. The market is flooded with different languages for different tasks. I am hoping to find the language that will pay off the most in the end for me, one that will help me in my day job of Linux Administration as well as help me build useful cross platform applications. Java/Kotlin seems most directly tied to the Unix/Linux platform. Java all over industry, and Kotlin starting to make a bigger splash. Kotlin would at least bring familiarity to the JVM and it's quirks. C# is moving .Net core to be the new standard that is Linux, Mac and Windows friendly. At this point this is not commonly used in enterprise to my experience (.Net on Linux). Html5 or JavaScript seems to be a great way to make webapps or even mobile apps in some cases. Very Linux friendly, but don't know how useful long term... C++ is pretty happy on all platforms, and there are tools for building GUIs or just cmdline tools. Pascal/Delphi, this is a unique choice that is home on all platforms including all types of mobile. Under represented and not really prevalent in Enterprise industry at all. Any votes?
If you're looking for systems programming, then probably C/C++ is your best bet. Rust seems to be well thought of in some circles, so it might be worth while. If you're doing applications programming, then the answer comes down to what you're familiar with and what resources are available. Almost any language you can think of is somewhat supported by linux, so if its what works for you, then go with it. If you're familiar with C++ then QT is a possibility if you need a GUI framework. There's endless libraries for python, so that's another option. Of course, for the one-off, quick and dirty, or just tired of typing the same commands over and over again, there's always bash scripts, which should not be overlooked. With some of the other tools available (e.g. dialog), bash can be a workable solution for some application.
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If you're looking for systems programming, then probably C/C++ is your best bet. Rust seems to be well thought of in some circles, so it might be worth while. If you're doing applications programming, then the answer comes down to what you're familiar with and what resources are available. Almost any language you can think of is somewhat supported by linux, so if its what works for you, then go with it. If you're familiar with C++ then QT is a possibility if you need a GUI framework. There's endless libraries for python, so that's another option. Of course, for the one-off, quick and dirty, or just tired of typing the same commands over and over again, there's always bash scripts, which should not be overlooked. With some of the other tools available (e.g. dialog), bash can be a workable solution for some application.
Hey k5054, Thanks. I think you made good points on C++ and C and that might be the best route forward. Those are always useful on *nix systems. I think I've been side tracked by the new and shiny... C# & Kotlin. And also can't escape the grasp of Java, which runs everywhere. Getting familiar with it's issues seemed like a useful lesson I could apply at work managing enterprise Java apps. Though the over complexity of Java and it's tools is cringe worthy, and I was hoping to find an alternative solution. As far as most portable and also most used, I'd have to agree is C & C++. Has it's faults but certainly not going anywhere. I will say freepascal is fun, and extremely readable/easy. I'd say more than python even. Might play with that some more also. :)