More noob questions...

[Sk8terboy]

I have spend the last few months working on XHTML and CSS, right now i am half way through the Javascript Bible. After this i'll cover the PHP and MySQL Bible. I'll propably take a look at XML and Flash later. Web programming has been fun up to now.

I am still undecided as to which "real" programming language to choose. There is the .NET Framework and C# and there is Java. The ads i have read in either Greek or foreign sources usually mention Java as a prequisite. On the other hand i keep thinking that Microsoft is a huge corporation, they seem to be everywhere.

I understand the most anyone can offer is their own oppinion and experience in the matter. I will appreciate any feedback.

[ray326]

C# and Java are almost identical. A word of warning, though. Don't think you can jump in and become an expert at both .NET and J2EE. They are very rich platforms that demand a lot of work. I prefer the Java side of things because there are aspects of that platform (like OS independence, web/app server separation and breadth of tool availability) that make it more usable IMHO but the selection of one over the other is made based on non-technical criteria.

[drhowarddrfine]

At one time, Java was a no-brainer. Nowadays, many have been swayed by the marketing you, too, have seen from MS (due to their enormous advertising funds). Sometimes it depends on the industry. Sometimes the area. In my area, Java reigns supreme. However, I've read .NET has pulled even in usage. .NET, however, only runs in Windows, though there is the Mono project for Linux/Unix/*BSD/Mac, but then you have to buy into the whole Windows thing.