How would it take to learn C++, Java, Javascript, Perl, and UNIX?

I'm interested in learning computer programming, more or less from scratch. I work in the web industry and would like to learn coding. I'd be willing to go back to school to do so. How long would you estimate it would take to proficiently learn all these programming languages ?

How would it take to learn C++, Java, Javascript, Perl, and UNIX?
Ironically i just got done taking my Java final.





Here is my take on the languages





First of Unix is a OS not a programing language and I believe it is made in C++ (someone correct me if I am wrong)





C++, Java, and Visual Basic are the main programing languages





In Job Perspective


C++ is most highly sought and pays the most (6 figure jobs)


Java is next (High end 5 figures)


Visual Basic (40,000 a year)





In learning Perspective


Java is a good starter cause the syntax is strict so it works with other programming languages better





C++


Is much more adaptable but a lot more code needed to be learned





Visual Basic


Is not a true Object Oriented Design Language and lacks very important syntax rules that java, c++ and others use.





So my final recommendation is, take Java if you like it maybe take C++ and work with C++ or continue with Java





Note: Java and Javascript are different things
Reply:That depends greatly on how well you learn and how good your teacher is. Just start learning.
Reply:Learning programming is mostly experience. Sure, you could go to school, but it doesn't help if you don't start to write code - and that's not what you do at school. They just teach you the basics.





I think you're taking the wrong approach - don't try to learn as many languages as you can, but try to learn those which are useful to you. If you want to work as a web developer, then php (and later java, maybe Perl) are important for you. If you want to write graphical programs, visual basic and C# are maybe better. C++ is rarely used nowadays.





If you just want to learn programming, without any goals for a career or something similar, i would recommend PHP as a first language, because you already have experience as a web developer. You will get results after a short time, because the language is easy and the internet is fujll with tutorials, documentation etc. No need to pay for a school, and after a week or two you might already have a contact form, maybe a small mailing list etc.
Reply:How long? Honestly, your entire life. Nobody learns C++ in one sitting. Even Bjarne Stroustrup (the inventor of the language) still learns new tricks from people in C++.





You can get a professional grasp of it if you are a fast learner in about 4 to 7 years, however.





The rest of the technologies will take you about as long, with Javascript and Perl being very fast to learn if you already know the concepts of C, C++, and Java very well.
Reply:Consult expert freelancers from http://k.aplis.net/
Reply:I pretty much learned my web programming skills on the job and it took me about a year to create my first official web application used throughout my firm. However, I had the benefit of being on a team where there were already servers set up for me and I had access to coding/compiling software. That was about 6 years ago and the application was built in Cold Fusion/MS SQL Server. I did most of my learning through web searching, de-coding other web pages and applications, and trial %26amp; error.





You list an interesting group of technologies. You don't need all of those things to get started with web programming. C++ and Java will give you the same thing. I currently build apps in ASP.Net and my core "programming" is done with Visual Basic.





The main thing is to learn programming concepts (like functions, conditional processing, objects, etc.) The syntax of the specific language you need will only be "learned" as you use it in a project. Any more, most of the modern coding tools (Visual Studio.Net, etc.) use "intellisense" so that you really don't even need to know all the syntax exactly - it senses it for you when you type the first few letters. Programming concepts are what you have to learn - especially object oriented programming. It helps to have a natural talent with thinking logically and an extremely high attention to detail.





JavaScript (along with many other web development technologies) IS important to learn. Check out W3 Schools for a lot of great tutorials: http://www.w3schools.com/.





You can probably do a Google (or Yahoo! :P) search to find other tutorials you need.





If you want to get started independently, go open source and set yourself up with a PHP/MySQL environment. (I have heard XAMPP for Windows is a great way to do this, but haven't tried it myself yet.) That will get you on your way to building your first web app. After that you'll have a better sense where all those technologies come into play.





And if you have some freedom at work to try it out... just get your hands on whatever development servers you can and go for it. Be sure to tread lightly around the "real" programmers at work... they tend to have big egos that need a lot of stroking. It pays off in the end - one day they will recognize you, too, as a fellow programmer!





Good luck!





PS. Re: "school". I took a Java class in grad school before I had any work experience in programming and didn't retain much. I think school can be useful for learning the concepts and methods but it is the actual diving into building applications that will really give you the skills you need.

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