C or C++ for perl, php and mysql

[Vishal]

I don't know much about perl [nothing more then #usr/bin/perl], but am wanting to learn more about perl, php and mysql [if time permits Java too]. Now my questions is, what do you guys think, should I learn C or C++ or both before jumping in for perl, php and mysql [and Java] or would it be ok.

I have heard a lot that it is lot easier to learn perl,php and java if you know C and C++

........

eeeeeeeeeee I am really confused, can the experts over here who know perl and php would recommend what to do ?

Thank you.

Vishal

[littleman]

I guess it really depends on what you want to do with your skill. Are you an independent webmaster? If so I'd say perl, or maybe php. Perl has the advantage of being nearly universal.

Do you want to make a living as a programmer? If so,than I'd say c/c++.

[littleman]

>I have heard a lot that it is lot easier to learn perl,php and java if you know C and C++

I don't know if that is true. C has a lot more rules than perl. If you want to learn perl, start with perl.

[seriesint]

Its really up to what you are after. If web is the primary goal then head full steam into Perl, PHP or Java. C/C++ is more for software development and can be used with a different type of web development. That is more as a constructor of say indepth processes like Server modules (Apache modules, ISAPI Filters etc) or in the creation of other higher level languages. But that's way ahead of the curve. Start at the bottom. Build up just figure out what the interest is so you can head in the right general direction.

Perl, PHP are in some ways easier than C/C++ ,most cases those languages are built using C or C++ and abstract away some of the difficult aspects of C. Provide some easier to maintain syntax as any higher level language is meant to do. While it is true that these languages would be made easier if you knew C or C++, the reverse is true as well. They would make it easier to learn C or C++. Though in some cases it would require a tightening up of the basic rules of programming. Perl in particular is so flexible that C would appear to be a straight jacket.

HTH

[Brett_Tabke]

Perl is the perfect first language to learn. It is easier to learn than C and certainly easier to learn than c++.

It's bugged me for years - this "perl is like c" nonsense that floats around all perl documentation.

PERL is first a run time interpreted language. That alone puts it closer to Basic than C. You can write most lines of basic code that with very small changes will run under Perl just fine than you will ever write in C.

If you know Basic already, Perl is easy to learn. If you know C already, Perl is a challenge.

[gethan]

The advice here is really good - heres some more advice - I think the main thing to consider is your goal.

Ask yourself these questions.

Do you currently know html and only want to do server side scripting, linking in with a database for example?

If so learn php (perl v.close second)

Do you wish to automate more aspects of your website such as sending out daily emails, linking in with other servers, automatically parsing text files etc..?

Go for perl !

If you wish to make lots of bucks from being a programmer rather than a webmaster. Go for Java and C++ ... also take some courses on something like finance :) Boring boring boring but you'll be very well off.

I think the reason that people say its easier to learn perl if you know C etc. Is because its easier to learn any programming language if you already know one. There are concepts that are shared between nearly all languages that do not have to be relearnt each time ... like loops, objects, conditionals etc etc.

Brett - I think "perl is like C" comes from basic programmers looking at perl code and thinking "arggh all those squiggles and arrows... its just like C".

One thing I would advise whilest your first looking at programming is pick one language - learn it, use it, get to the point where you can say that learning this has really helped, then start worrying about a second language.

Good luck

[volatilegx]

Vishal,

Since I know you and basically what you're doing, I suggest you learn Perl. It's easy to pick up but I do recommend getting a reference book or two that will walk you through some examples. If you have any questions shoot me a stickymail or email.