Other programming language

[Maese909]

Hello all. My university requires me to take a programming language course other than C++. The languages to choose from are C#, Java, and Visual Basic. I have never programmed in any of those 3 languages and am not sure which one I should take...any advice/input on recommendations? :)

[Athar]

As long as you stay away from Visual Basic, you should be fine.
C# is much less portable than Java, but C# has (arguably) nicer syntax and is more fun to use.

[bobbyfisher1]

you should learn java because its powerful and great for making games + web apps.
visual basic is easy but fun language

[Mathhead200]

I'm in complete agreement with Athar. I picked up Java as my first language, but had to take a course in C# too. I like some of it's features, but for the most part Java is much more portable. The only way you can get C# to run on something other then Windows (.net) is with mono. That being said, I hear C# is used to make XBox indie games, although Java is used to make Android apps, so... Just don't bother with Visual Basic. C# compiled for .net will turn into the same MSIL (CIL) as VB.net anyway.

[moorecm]

I'd go with Java.

[quirkyusername]

This is completely subjective so don't listen to anyone when they tell you that a language is 'better' than another language. There's a limit to what can be achieved with visual basic and out of the other two my personal favourite is C#, I agree with Athar about the nicer syntax and I picked it up faster than java too.

To all other posters, although I'm aware this thread will inevitably become a hysterical argument, it would be nice if it could be avoided.

[acorn]

it seems like a waste of time to learn basic when C# is around now. C# would be what I choose. Learning Java at a later date seems reasonable.