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From: skh@hpclskh.HP.COM
Newsgroups: comp.lang.misc
Subject: Re: Programming in the Real World
Message-ID: <960011@hpclskh.HP.COM>
Date: 25 Oct 88 17:07:19 GMT
References: <287@lafcol.UUCP>
Organization: HP NSG/ISD California Language Lab
Lines: 39


Don't be discouraged by all those "useless" programs.  When I look back on
stuff I wrote in college, I can't believe I wrote some of it...it looks that
bad compared to my later programming.  It is still a discipline that requires
practice.

As to your original question, I prefer to split the "real" world into three
parts:

Business Programming: COBOL dominates this world, with BASIC and RPG being
  used also.  (Recent BASIC and RPG implementations are beginning to mix
  with COBOL to provide faster solutions.)

Technical Programming: FORTRAN still dominates, with C and Pascal also taking
  large chunks of this market.  I think the growing popularity of UNIX is
  making C grow, but many people still use and prefer Pascal for some things.
  Ideally, it would be nice to mix them.

Defense Programming (U.S.): Ada obviously must be used, as DoD has stated that
  Ada will be used.  Of course, there is an incredible number of existing
  programs written in FORTRAN.  The process of converting these will take a
  long time.


In terms of real sales, COBOL is by far the most dominant language around.
(That doesn't necessarily mean you should rush out and learn it!)  If you
want to program for big business, a bank, an insurance company, or the like,
learn COBOL.  For your own sake, learn something else.

DO NOT focus on one language.  I've had to use four major languages in less
than 10 years.  It's better to learn how to quickly learn and use a language
than to just get sprinkles of zillions of languages while in school.

Gotta get off the soapbox now...

Stewart Hill
skh%hpclskh@hplabs.hp.com

P.S.  Post a summary of your results...I couldn't get mail to you.