Should I learn in c++ or c# (for computer science degree)? [closed]

Question

I'm about to start a "Bachelors of Science (Computer Science)" degree (in Australia, semester starts in march) and I'm presented with the option to learn c# or C++.

First of all, I already know C#, and I love C#. It is just so easy to use. Not having to worry about memory management or garbage collecting makes my brain tingle. I've made plenty of apps / games in C# and I find the syntax easy to follow, I love intellisense (which I think C++ doesn't have), and it seems just to be a nice language in general.

I've been trying to wrap my head around C++. First thing I can say... IT'S HARD. Half the time I'm thinking to myself: "Do I need to include a ^ symbol after String?", etc. The syntax just seems hard to follow and I get really aggravated over it. This is simply with me trying to teach myself, however, without a teacher.

My goal after my degree is to join a game firm, and assist in making games, so that has to be a top factor in my decision making.

Can you guys give me some advice?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I would say you should definitely learn C++. There's a couple of reasons for this.

1. It is still very widely used in game programming all over the world due to it's performance and flexibility. There is also a lot invested in the language from the industry in form of api's and libraries.

2. Knowing C++ forces you to know how a computer works and executes code. This will help you to become a great programmer instead of just a decent one. Knowing the insides and outsides of how a program is executed will help you in this.

3. C# is a great language and is very easy to use. Knowing another language will most likely help you in understanding how C# can be used in new ways. Knowing more languages will aid you in solving problems in more ways which is important if you're aiming to be a great programmer.

4. Although C++ can be scary, Computer Science involves knowing math, algoritms and problem solving. Settling for C# and taking the easy way out, may hinder you in learning and appreciating these other things.

Hope this will help you in your decision :)

Answer 2

You say you already know C# so you should learn C++. You don't go to college to coast on what you already know or is easy to learn, you go to college to get help learning the hard stuff. By the time you get a B.S. in Computer Science you should be fairly competent with a couple of languages and undaunted by the prospect of learning new ones as the need arises.

Answer 3

You can learn either one though C++ is more typically used by the so called "AAA" title set. What you really need to learn is 3D math. Lots and lots of it. Cram as much as you can into your program. Physics, Vector Calculus, Differential Geometry, and as much Linear Algebra as you can stand. Geometric Algebra is also useful along with optimization, numerical methods, and some data analysis. I'd almost argue you should major in Math or Physics and do a CS concentration/minor if you really want an edge.

As far as the CS side of things, understand Algorithms and their rigorous analysis sooner rather than later. Parallel Computing is also virtually a must since you'll need to understand multicore and GPU architectures. Networking and Database theory are also solid bets.

As far as C#, given Microsoft's recent decision to shoot XNA in the face, it may not be the best choice for game dev work at the moment. But it's hard to say what will be used. You might just end up doing game dev work for iOS in which case you'd likely use Objective-C.