I'm just learning to program for a hobby.
I already have a weak foothold in C++, but I have done things like program Battleship and Yahtzee (with full GUI's) on my TI-83+, completely in BASIC.
What do you guys think I should learn next?
My friends have suggested perl and python.
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Anonymous2006-08-17 0:42
Python is a pretty good idea. Forget about Perl, you already have enough brain damage from BASIC.
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Z2006-08-17 1:09
How about Lua?
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Anonymous2006-08-17 1:09
Both of those use an interpreter, right?
For the most part, I just want something that I can write very quick scripts for managing my system, and possibly for making add-ons to applications I use.
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Z2006-08-17 1:47
Yes, Lua uses an interpreter.
Lua is really nice, it's light weight but also flexible.
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Anonymous2006-08-17 2:23
I recommend Python, or another multiparadigm language supporting lists and dictionaries as native types, and functional programming elements, which is an enlighting experience. I like Python better than Ruby. Perl is insane. Don't know much of Lua other than it's very small in features but flexible so you can add the rest, and very fast. All of these are interpreted languages; now that you know C++ (and I hope you have a very good understanding of plain C which is the best low-level language and will keep being so) you should focus on a modern, productive, interpreted language with features low-level languages can't offer.
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Anonymous2006-08-17 6:03
bah, "features low-level languages can't offer."
in low-level languages you're supposed to MAKE the features you don't have and put them in LIBRARIES.
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Anonymous2006-08-17 6:19
Common Lisp or Scheme are both great languages to learn.
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Anonymous2006-08-17 8:09
>>7
Duck-typing, for example. If provided properly, the language crosses the line and becomes a high-level language.
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Anonymous2006-08-17 17:38
>>9
I hate people who think "dynamic" is spelt with a 'u' and 'k'
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__Guido van Rossum__2006-08-17 18:58
>>10
Duck-typing is the Pythonic name for dynamic-typing.