[Embermage]

I am looking to learn some programming languages. I know PHP, and I also know JavaScript (to an extent). In my findings thus far, I have found out that the syntax of C is similar to PHP (which is similar to Perl, but that's a scripting language).

My question is, what is the best language to learn so I can program for Mac OS X, and which language out there is the closest to PHP?

Thanks for the help,

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Embermage
embermage@mactavern.com
http://www.mactavern.com
MacTavern's Forum

[Phure]

You should start with C, but be careful not to learn C++ (yes, do NOT learn it) You should be good at C, like know how to use pointers and such, when you look into Objective-C using Apples "Inside Cocoa" book. And make some Tutorials.

The easier way would be to learn just plain Java, but that's uncool

[parallax]

Yeah, Java's just uncool :-)

Your options:

1) Use Carbon with C or C++. Deprecated.
2) Use standard UNIX libraries (generally using C, but obviously C++ can be used as well) to create a command-line program. Useful, but even more so when combined with Cocoa to add a GUI on top of it.
3) Use Cocoa with Objective-C. Powerful, fast, easy to use, &c. All the benefits of OS X. As with (2), you can combine UNIX commands quite easily with Cocoa.
4) Use Cocoa with Java. Powerful, easy to use. It's much slower than Objective-C, and tends to be buggy. I wouldn't recommend it.
5) Use REALbasic (With a BASIC-like language). Download a program created with it, and you'll be sorry you did. Often buggy interfaces, often buggy implementation. Stay away at all costs.

No matter what, though, you should learn straight C. Except for REALbasic, all of the other options will be easy to learn _if_ you know C.
Option (3) is probably your best bet. Like Phure said, avoid C++, because it'll give you compatibility problems when you try your hand at Cocoa.

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http://gilgalad.dyndns.org/

[00101001]

quick question...
what is java uncool???
over the past few months i taught it to myself, and i have to say, i think that it IS pretty cool. For programming full blown native applications, i understand that it may not be the answer due to speed issues, but im developing a 3D engine from the ground up in it, and as of now, im pushing 30 fps...not bad for an applet.

just curious...

[DaGuy]

I would replace "uncool" with "so so". Java is merely adequate for full blown desktop applications -app launch is slow, GUIs tend to lean on the ugly side, and responsiveness is not all that great. Nevertheless, Java does a little better for desktop utlities -process viewers, simple editors etc. However, It REALLY ROCKS and is extremely good for server side programming -meaning no GUI, just sitting back there and carrying lots of the heavy stuff that supports industrial strength web sites.

Learning Java is certainly worthwhile. Especially if you intend to progress to serious server side applications -the kind that can make you a good living.

[parallax]

I doubt he's planning on writing server-side applications right off the bat if he wants to 'program for Mac OS X'...

If he wants to write a Cocoa application, then Objective-C will be superior in every way to Java (or at least equal in most respects).

[00101001]

I've been reading this board for a while, and I've studied some of the sample Obj-C code that people post, and it just seems to me (maybe i'm wrong) that Obj-C syntax is really long and, well, stupid, compared to the sleekness of Java. Just simple stuff, like how you pass multiple variables to a function...

I am teaching it to myself now, and can somebody tell me if soon it will make sense??? Cause right now it is just ugly compared to Java.

PS (What I really want is to be able to program Cocoa apps in Java and compile it to native code, THAT would be awesome...)