From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Thu Apr 15 04:11:48 2004 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 4EF9616A4CE for ; Thu, 15 Apr 2004 04:11:48 -0700 (PDT) Received: from adsl-68-76-19-75.dsl.klmzmi.ameritech.net (adsl-68-76-19-75.dsl.klmzmi.ameritech.net [68.76.19.75]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 1E89A43D1F for ; Thu, 15 Apr 2004 04:11:46 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from Luke@FoolishGames.com) Received: from TIEFIGHTER (adsl-67-36-63-31.dsl.klmzmi.ameritech.net [67.36.63.31]) (authenticated bits=0)ESMTP id i3FBAaoo048373; Thu, 15 Apr 2004 07:10:43 -0400 (EDT) (envelope-from Luke@FoolishGames.com) Message-Id: <200404151110.i3FBAaoo048373@adsl-68-76-19-75.dsl.klmzmi.ameritech.net> From: "Lucas Holt" To: "'jason'" , "'Me'" Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 07:10:21 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft Office Outlook, Build 11.0.5510 In-Reply-To: <407DD914.4030401@ec.rr.com> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.2096 Thread-Index: AcQigVhBm95uVPoZSz6FOmAfDFyDpgAV+s0A X-Virus-Scanned: clamd / ClamAV version 0.70-rc, clamav-milter version 0.70 cc: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: RE: Beginning C++ in FreeBSD X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 11:11:48 -0000 I would suggest C before C++. I took a C class after tring C++ on my own. I tought C++ was newer and better. Actually I found it was only newer. It has new features and such, just not better because it was an extension or expansion to C. I don't use C++ so I am sure there are those that would say C++ is better, but I think it is only better if it suits the job better. I was told by a friend java is very close to C++ so it maybe a smart move, but anyone coming in fresh I would always recommend C first. .... Many universities teach C++ exclusiveley now. Java and C++ share some common ground on syntax and the fact that they both support Object oriented programming. Aside from that, there are many differences. C++ is native code and executes faster than java which uses a virtual machine. C++ code is compiled into C code by the compiler and then assembly. Java is converted into byte code for a virtual machine. I had a class at the local community college in C before I moved on to western michigan. The only benefit from the C class was a better understanding of pointers. Contrary to what many C++ programmers will tell you, pointers are still very useful and needed at times. Although I tend to like C as a language, C++ arguably makes it easier to reuse code. Regardless of the order, you should look at both languages to have a good foundation. C++ programmers must learn C basics, at least C libraries like and .