If you are a computer programmer, which language makes most money? SQL? C++?

My son (high school) wants to learn computer languate to get a good job. Which language is good?

If you are a computer programmer, which language makes most money? SQL? C++?
Java is the most prolific of programming languages for business purposes. SQL is merely a query language for databases.





He should concentrate on learning Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in school. They will teach either C++ or Java, both share similar syntax and it's easy to learn the other if you know one of them.





Once you learn the programming language, you learn languages that are used with it - HTML, XML, JavaScript, SQL, etc.





I recommend he start in high school learning computer basics and concentrating on math (gotta have the math for a computer science degree). If you can find a Java For Dummies or Learn Java In 21 Days book cheap, buy it. It wouldn't hurt for him to try tackling the basics of the language now to familiarize himself with it.





Good luck, best wishes for your son! It's a very lucrative line of work.
Reply:I am a programmer for over 23 years, and I have experience in over 16 programming languages. In the 23 years, I have learned that the programming language C++ and C have made me tons of money. I am rich now, and don't program anymore, but I still recommend C++ or C because of its power and control.
Reply:Maybe is just me, but money is not the reason for you son to get into a Computer Science/Software Engineering career. He must have a genuine interest in the subject.





Sure. Money is nice, but the reason why the jobs pay well is because there is a big demand for people with that set of skills, AND because you generally have to put a lot more effort in school to earn said degrees. Why do you think the starting salaries for these careers are above $50k?





Does your son like math, science, physics? And by like I mean really like. Computer Science at its most basic level IS math. And most university ComS programs emphasize the theory, not some of the applications, which programming happens to be one.





So with that said, here is what you son should expect:


A full, and busy schedule every semester.


Complex material that needs to be learned in a very short amount of time.


Many late nights in front of the computer screen.


Many headaches and moments of frustration.


A few times when he will ask himself whether the career is right for him.








However, he should also expect an excellent and dynamic career filled with a never ending list of great problems yet to be solved. A career that has the potential to affect many people all around the world. A career that is fascinating and a triumph of human ingenuity.





And programming languages are just a tool to solve problems. It doesn't matter if he learns one or 20. His problem solving ability is what will matter in the long run as programming languages keep evolving.





A mentor of mine once told me:


"If you won the lottery tomorrow, would you still show up to work?





Do you live to work, or do you work to live?"
Reply:I didn't learn C++ but have managed to feed,house, cloth my family have holidays, go out for beers and meals with my knowledge of SQL,VB,M(umps).





As you will find it's not just the SQL or for that matter the knowledge of any software language but you willingness to apply what you know to what needs to be done.





I aint ever going to be a millionaire but I have a good life out of it
Reply:i know c+ is easy to learn
Reply:C++ and Java are the most general, and the most widespread, but speaking as a college Computer Science and Software Engineering major, i can tell you that several different languages on his resume will definitely help him and get him a better job. Just knowing one language can be very hit-and-miss for getting a job, because, even within the same company, different projects (and different parts of a project) will generally use different languages.
Reply:SQL- it is bit harder but will pay well
Reply:Javascript. And does he already know XHTML and CSS? They are extremendously useful if he wants to become a webmaster.
Reply:You can't be a one trick pony with programming. You need to know MULTIPLE programming languages. Each serves a different purpose. He needs to learn about all of them and decide which way he wants to go.





Web design is a pretty lucrative business and there are a bunch of different languages that you can program with. Ruby on Rails, Java, Flash, HTML, XHTML and there are a few others.





Tell him to ascertain his likes and dislikes, learn about the languages, their purpose and decide from there.





Brandon
Reply:I'd say a really good solid first language to learn right now is Java. If he goes to college, he'll learn a whole buttload of languages and that really is the way he'll get the most money and the most opportunities. C++ is of course very useful to know as well. SQL is not technically a programming language though it is useful to learn. The truth is it really depends on what kind of business he wants to get into. Government type programs are big into C++ while a place like google may be more involved in web languages and developing servlets and such.





My first language was Visual Basic (but that really doesn't have much potential in the real world), and once I got to college I learned Java, C, C++, Assembly, Lisp, Oberon, and a whole bunch of other fun filled languages no one has ever heard of or cares to know.

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