What language to learn

[JCL]

Fall semester enrollment is coming up in a few weeks... much sooner than I thought. Anyways I have to take a second programming class (took intro class and learned Python last semester). I have to choose between Java, C#, and VB.NET. Also I am in school for a software testing certification if that helps. So what class should I take?

Don't think I want to take Java, I've heard people recommend it and others not to... maybe between C# and VB.NET?

[John Adams]

IMO, VB.Net blows. But then, I am not even a fan of .net to begin with. C# is pretty cool, even for this hater.

[JCL]

[quote="John Adams"]IMO, VB.Net blows. But then, I am not even a fan of .net to begin with. C# is pretty cool, even for this hater.[/quote]

I've heard they are pretty similar, with C# letting you do a little bit more advanced things. I know when I did a job shadowing at a company they used VB.NET for scripting their tests, but then again the company as a whole uses all three languages.

[Kandra]

From a professional developers perspective I can say that knowing C# will make you a lot more attractive on the market then the other two options. If you plan to work as a developer then VB.NET is not for you.
Java was the preferred choice 5 years ago but is loosing ground fast at the moment.
Pure C# is actually quite cool, if you skip all that .NET crap.

[Lokked]

I agree with what Kandra stated. I work in a company with a large application development unit and they use C# almost exclusively.

[Moldew]

What ever happened to Modula-2? Am I dating myself?

[John Adams]

[quote="Kandra"]From a professional developers perspective I can say that knowing C# will make you a lot more attractive on the market then the other two options. If you plan to work as a developer then VB.NET is not for you.
Java was the preferred choice 5 years ago but is loosing ground fast at the moment.
Pure C# is actually quite cool, if you skip all that .NET crap.[/quote]
^ this is actually what I meant to say

[JCL]

Thanks for the suggestions, I might go with C#. I looked at the options again. I have to choose between C#.NET, VB.NET and Java intro classes. My main goal is to get my Software Tester certification and a job in Software Testing and then seeing what I want to go from there. From what I can tell most positions around here want you to have software testing and project management skills, some the ability to write/execute automation scripts most don't state what language they want, and a couple I looked at desired SQL knowledge.

I will probably talk to the instructor of my software testing class to see what he says. He is also a programmer that works in the area and might have a good idea of what I should take.