Ask HN: In what language should I invest my time? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: In what language should I invest my time?

5 pointsphzbOx5 comments

A couple years ago I was a C++ dev; I then switched to Python (and really enjoyed it for a while), but I'm getting a bit tired of it. So, I'm searching a new language/community/framework to invest my time in.. I'm thinking something between node, clojure, Qi, or Objective-C(With all the iphone development obviously)..

What do you think? (Note that I've already read a bit on these languages and few others)

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Language as a distinguishing trait is overrated.

Pick a project that you want to spend time on, then learn the tools that make it easiest to accomplish your design goals.

Hm, the question is, why are you getting tired of Python? What are you looking for instead? Better performance? A more dynamic language? Extensible syntax? Something more math related; or less? Good concurrency/parellelism? Friendly community? Something obscure, different or more "enterprisey"? ... If you know the answer to that, it will be clearer where to look for your next language.

Learn whatever you need that will get you to your goal with the most satisfaction.

If you want to make iPhone apps, obj-c is probably the way to go. If you want to go into Android development, Java is solid. If you like the web sphere Ruby is awesome. Javascript in general is a highly sought out skill plus you said you were interested in Node, so that's an option as well.

Languages are nothing but tools for you to get something done. And as with all tools, what matters the most is what you want to get done.

If you are looking purely from a learning point of view, learning a functional language like clojure or erlang can open up your eyes to new paradigms and ideas.

JavaScript. Not because of the language, but because its API's will take the language where no others can go. Between HTML5, NodeJS, and WebGL there is an awful wide range of things that can be created.

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