Career in C++ or .NET?
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
There's no way that you "would be throwing all [your] technical C++ knowledge to the wind" in either case, as if you would wake up one day and suddenly forget all of the things you've learned so far in your career. Secondly, if you decide to go the C# route, C++ can only help you, and you'll be way ahead of folks who only know C# and .NET but have no clue about C++ or "unmanaged code". Third, I think that believing that by sticking to C++ you'll end up "stuck in the past" is only the result of Microsoft marketing hype and the current/past two years worth of .NET books flooding the market. What do you suppose they write their software in? And last, it might be nice to get a job with full training, but couldn't you read a few books and get the same result? The transition from programming in C++ to programming in C# is not that traumatic, or at least that's what folks keep writing. What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable . . . and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust? -- Hamlet, Act II, Scene ii.
-
There's no way that you "would be throwing all [your] technical C++ knowledge to the wind" in either case, as if you would wake up one day and suddenly forget all of the things you've learned so far in your career. Secondly, if you decide to go the C# route, C++ can only help you, and you'll be way ahead of folks who only know C# and .NET but have no clue about C++ or "unmanaged code". Third, I think that believing that by sticking to C++ you'll end up "stuck in the past" is only the result of Microsoft marketing hype and the current/past two years worth of .NET books flooding the market. What do you suppose they write their software in? And last, it might be nice to get a job with full training, but couldn't you read a few books and get the same result? The transition from programming in C++ to programming in C# is not that traumatic, or at least that's what folks keep writing. What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable . . . and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust? -- Hamlet, Act II, Scene ii.
Thanks for your insights. The throwing-to-the-wind point i put forward has to be taken with a pinch of salt though; if i go for it, i'll still keep on tinkering occasionally here'n'there in C++, and I share your same views in that my C++ experience can put me in a better position to get acquainted to .NET faster. I also appreciate the fact that there will always be a demand for C++ engineers to develop technically-minded software. Re. the training, it's not a determining factor. As you said, i can probably read through the thing in around 4 weeks and get myself up to speed better than most courses provide for. I still have to consider other factors such as company position in market before I make up my mind, but i couldn't really ignore this C++/.NET issue.
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
Try embedded C/C++ for GUI or funtional modules in the mobile device field (cell phone, PDA, etc.). Maxwell Chen
-
Thanks for your insights. The throwing-to-the-wind point i put forward has to be taken with a pinch of salt though; if i go for it, i'll still keep on tinkering occasionally here'n'there in C++, and I share your same views in that my C++ experience can put me in a better position to get acquainted to .NET faster. I also appreciate the fact that there will always be a demand for C++ engineers to develop technically-minded software. Re. the training, it's not a determining factor. As you said, i can probably read through the thing in around 4 weeks and get myself up to speed better than most courses provide for. I still have to consider other factors such as company position in market before I make up my mind, but i couldn't really ignore this C++/.NET issue.
In any case, there will be lots of new Managed C++ to learn in the next version of .NET, as MS has completely revamped it. And there will be even more .NET-related things that can only be done in MC++. Generally, though if someone is offering you .NET work, take it - as, in my experience, trying to get someone to pay you to do .NET when you haven't got the commercial experience is like trying to get blood from a stone! BTW, if you've not yet looked at C# I think, as a C++ developer, you'll find it quite nice. It's a better fit (for someone who likes C++) than Java is IMHO. Kevin
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
Well, I can tell you that data integration will be an ongoing task to be supported. I can also tell you that at least around me they have 2 to 3 times the number of people they need to do it. Just most are still in the 80's so when the concepts of Service Archtecture final sink in many will be gone. Or those concepts will not sink in and we will no longer exists. :( Will it be the old guys due to seniority or the new who learned what to do, who will remain? Yes the old who also learned will be the first kept. (I am counting on that :-O ) So you really need to ask yourself what do you want to do. There is not enough description in your job reference to say much about it. My Suggestion. Take ALberto's SWAT series and work throught it this weekend (I do me work not glance) Study the data structure and the procedures used as well as the coding. You may have a much better feel on if you want to make the step. For myself, when I finally actually did something with C# I found it a very easy language for C++ person to migrate to. The biggest issue was finding the names of services to use. That will come from experience, reviewing samples, and reading. There may be other example here to review also. I pick SWAT due to it's completness. I do not mind getting old. It beats all the other options that can think of.
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
Christopher Spiteri wrote: that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, Really? You mean figuring out how to do an OOD without multiple inheritence when you *really* need it, not having a friend construct when you *really* want it, figuring out whether you need a strong reference or a weak reference because C# wants to manage all the memory for you, and finding replacements for all those nice MFC/third party controls in native .NET isn't technically challenging enough for you? (and those are just the things I can think of off the top of my head). ;P Marc Microsoft MVP, Visual C# MyXaml MyXaml Blog
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
It all depends on what you look for when finding a new job. Does the new job appeal to you, as in the work environment, what you're working on, who you'd be working with, the new company's location, the Chinese buffets nearby, etc.? If so, then don't worry about the "language barrier." A good developer with general technical knowledge can learn a new language pretty easily. Which means you won't have any problem picking up C# or what not. And it also means if you ever need to go back to C++, even if you've forgotten some of it you'll be able to pick it up again. Heck, my company is moving me to a new position (internally) as a Java programmer. I don't know Java. :-O They are confident that learning Java won't be an impediment to getting the job done. Remember, even if you win the rat race, you're still a rat.
-
Christopher Spiteri wrote: that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, Really? You mean figuring out how to do an OOD without multiple inheritence when you *really* need it, not having a friend construct when you *really* want it, figuring out whether you need a strong reference or a weak reference because C# wants to manage all the memory for you, and finding replacements for all those nice MFC/third party controls in native .NET isn't technically challenging enough for you? (and those are just the things I can think of off the top of my head). ;P Marc Microsoft MVP, Visual C# MyXaml MyXaml Blog
.NET (C#) don't give the same technical challenge as C++. C++ is more fun, and let you do more stuff, C# is a dumbed down version of C++ and I miss some stuff in C# quite often. But, it's faster to do some things in C#, thats why I use it for ShotKeeper[^], together with some Managed C++ for some parts of it ;) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" ShotKeeper, my Photo Album / Organizer Application[^]
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
Go with .NET but start a side project in C++ so you do not forget what you have learned - maybe some shareware application that you can spend about 5 hours a week on. I am in a similar situation, except that my expertise is in MFC. Although I am very happy that I have moved to .NET I do not want to loose the awesome power of being able to create fast super flexible applications for Windows. Ivor S. Sargoytchev Dundas Software
-
Would appreciate if someone could provide some advice... I'm at a forking point in my career: either continue investing full-time in a pure C++ career (like i have been doing for the past 4 yrs), or take up a job offer on .NET for work on enterprise database systems, with full training. The thing is, i really love working in C++, i learned a lot of object-modelling techniques over the years, and am currently working on networking software. I have become fairly technical, and have a fair amount of experience. On the other hand, i don't want to end up 'stuck-in-the-past', if you know what i mean. I'm eager to learn new stuff, but i'm afraid of two things: (i) that a .NET job won't provide the same technical challenge as C++, and (ii) that by taking up the offer i would be throwing all my technical C++ knowledge to the wind. So..what says you? :~
Without reading your entire post I'll say switch... Main Reason... your getting extra skills, getting paid to get training in them, and if after a year or two you decide it's not for you, go back to C++. Regards, Brian Dela :-) http://www.briandela.com IE 6 required.
http://www.briandela.com/pictures Now with a pictures section :-D
http://www.briandela.com/rss/newsrss.xml RSS Feed -
Thanks for your insights. The throwing-to-the-wind point i put forward has to be taken with a pinch of salt though; if i go for it, i'll still keep on tinkering occasionally here'n'there in C++, and I share your same views in that my C++ experience can put me in a better position to get acquainted to .NET faster. I also appreciate the fact that there will always be a demand for C++ engineers to develop technically-minded software. Re. the training, it's not a determining factor. As you said, i can probably read through the thing in around 4 weeks and get myself up to speed better than most courses provide for. I still have to consider other factors such as company position in market before I make up my mind, but i couldn't really ignore this C++/.NET issue.
I suppose it really boils down, in the end, to what makes you happy. If you're not happy doing it, don't. What a piece of work is man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable . . . and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust? -- Hamlet, Act II, Scene ii.
-
Go with .NET but start a side project in C++ so you do not forget what you have learned - maybe some shareware application that you can spend about 5 hours a week on. I am in a similar situation, except that my expertise is in MFC. Although I am very happy that I have moved to .NET I do not want to loose the awesome power of being able to create fast super flexible applications for Windows. Ivor S. Sargoytchev Dundas Software
-
.NET (C#) don't give the same technical challenge as C++. C++ is more fun, and let you do more stuff, C# is a dumbed down version of C++ and I miss some stuff in C# quite often. But, it's faster to do some things in C#, thats why I use it for ShotKeeper[^], together with some Managed C++ for some parts of it ;) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" ShotKeeper, my Photo Album / Organizer Application[^]
My feelings exactly regarding the technical aspects... I'd be happier if i tackle some serious debugging, socket programming or memory management issues rather than contemplating a stored procedure or a data-integration issue in the business logic - it could be that i have a hidden psychological problem but such things don't give me the same 'kick' as C++ problems do :)
-
My feelings exactly regarding the technical aspects... I'd be happier if i tackle some serious debugging, socket programming or memory management issues rather than contemplating a stored procedure or a data-integration issue in the business logic - it could be that i have a hidden psychological problem but such things don't give me the same 'kick' as C++ problems do :)
Christopher Spiteri wrote: but such things don't give me the same 'kick' as C++ problems do I have it the same way ;) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" ShotKeeper, my Photo Album / Organizer Application[^]