[Powder-Jill]

Hi I'm not a programmer but I'm wondering. Ppl who make small programs for Linux in their homes. What kind of programming language is normally used for that purpose?

Like the ppl who made Gimp, OpenOffice and other well known big software. Have they been using the same programming language or doesn't it matter in the end? When you have to let the PC itself (recode) the programming code anyways when you are done?

[AGCurry]

The operating system itself, as well as utilities, were mostly written in C.

As for application software, like Open Office, it's most often C++. But, really, you can use any language for which there is a compiler, interpreter, or runtime engine available.

[tsunam]

For example, I program in python, bash and know enough C to sorta hack on what other people have written. I also do php/sql/html in linux as well. Even for evil internet explorer

[Powder-Jill]

I'm trying to get a grasp on this whole programming scene. Since the only programmer I know is Java only I'm afraid it might make me biased towards one solution.

1. So what are your opinions on Java in general?
2. Does it have to have all those external modules installed in order to run a program, couldn't they make it more like other programs where you only need to install an *setup.exe*??

3. So what you are saying is that having a C++ programmer will make a cross platform compatibility transition smoother? Like if I want a program to work both on Windows and Linux, C++ programmers are the first pick??
4. What's the difference between a C and a C++ programmer?
Is C programmers closer to Assembly programmers or is it just an outdated language in comparison to C++??

[tsunam]

1. I dislike Java In general. I've seen far too many great programs that just eat ram and perform slower then C, Python, C++ programs.

2. For that You can look at autotools/distutils. They are a framework for creating a installer under linux for programs, distutils I find easier to work with, course I know python better so that's not a surprise.

3. Cross compatibility all depends on how you go about programming it. If you make the calls generic then yes it will be as portable as any java app. However if you make specific calls to one OS or another, then you'll run into problems.

4. C++ is a object oriented programming language while C is the other type that escapes me right now. Most people seem to find C++ a easier language to learn though. C is as you said closer to Assembly, and still quite useful. C++ is just a evolution of people's needs in programming, and making it easier to use, basically it added some features that allowed different calls etc.

[brendandonhu]

C is a procedural language. C++ can be both procedural and object oriented.

[Fyzbo]

I think java is great for certain projects. You can code it quickly and easily and it ports to any operating system.

[brendandonhu]

Yup, OpenOffice also has some Java in it.

[tsunam]

Openoffice is in hot water with a lot of open source only people because it uses stuff exclusive to sun java 1.5. Sun java 1.5 also has a nasty habit of not working with quite a few open source projects and they end up quite broken. (equal parts sun and the developers of the projects fault)