a) What are XML, JSP, and PHP? Languages?
b) Also, I understand C++ is very similar, or has its roots in, Clipper…is this correct? If I know Clipper, would C++ be easy to learn?
I used Clipper for creating databases. Is C++ for the same purpose? Are there aother uses for it, too? And, what is Java used for?
c) Sounds like Visual Basic is small potatoes, correct?
Thanks,
XML is a markup language used to create web pages.
JSP is another web page design tool.
PHP is yet another web page design tool.
Java is yet again another language primarily used for web design.
Each of these have their strengths and weaknesses. For more info, try http://www.whatis.com.
C++ is most definitely NOT Clipper. If you know Clipper, it has no resemblence in the least to C++, so it won’t help you much. C++ is essentially object-oriented C, and is more difficult to learn and more powerful than interpreted languages such as Clipper. For example, I’m a professional programmer, and we use C++ to write backup & storage management software. This type of software has to be fast, has a lot of low-level stuff that monitors your file system, and has to be able to be used across a very large network. You pretty much need C or C++ to do such things.
VB is not necessarily small potatoes. You can create pretty powerful GUI applications with VB. If you’re looking to do some database applications, I’d look at VB since it comes with a pretty powerful set of DB tools. The other thing I’d look at is MS Access - it’s probably the closest thing to Clipper in functionality out there nowadays.
Re: VB…
Small Potatoes? No. Rotten Potatoes? Ja sure.
I’m currently involved with a VB app doing insurance stuff on an MSSQL db. VB allows you to put something together in 4 hours which looks good. (RAD - Rapid Application Design and all that) But I’ve found that the final 10% of a VB project will kill you time and again. Bugs can be absolutely impossible to kill… And the .DLL juggling? Fuggedaboutit.
If nothing else, I would recommend Java. Java opportunities are out there and they don’t look like their going away any time soon. A good Java programmer will do well in today’s world. (This coming from a guy who doesn’t do Java. shrug)
One more piece of advice: O’Reilly books are the best - bar none. When you are looking for reading materials, some are hit and miss, but there are almost no OR books that I wouldn’t recommend whole-heartedly.
Jinx
Preview is your friend
As Athena pointed out, No, that’s not correct. C++ being an object oriented extension of C, which existed way back when Clipper Summer 87 version was still trying to shake off it’s dBase roots. Clipper 5.0 was very C like in syntax, and that’s the last version of Clipper I’m familiar with. If you’re hot stuff with Clipper 5.0 or later, learning C++ may not be too bad.
Clipper is definitely tuned for datbase applications. C++ on the other hand can be used for about any programming purpose. I would say a large percentage of the applications and games on the market today were created in C++. (I don’t even want to think about someone trying to write Access in Word or Excell in Clipper)
Depends on what you are trying to do with it. For the right job, it’s a great tool, for the wrong job, there’s nothing worse. It’s sort of like trying to remove philips screws with a hammer. It can be done, but the results won’t be pretty and you’ll put a lot more effort into it than you need to.
Side note… Athena, Clipper’s a compiled xBase development platform, as of the last version I have seen there was no interpretive version available.