Java and C++ at the same time?

Im currently taking an introduction to java course in my high school and next year im planning to take AP Java





so, i was wandering if it was a good idea to take a C++ course over the summer





would it be better to finish learning one first and then learn the other one? or, it doesnt realy matter?

Java and C++ at the same time?
Some people would have no trouble keeping the two languages seperate and therefore, it would be helpful to keep practicing programming by taking the summer course. However, though Java and C++ are very similar in a lot of ways, there are a number of things that are very different. I took a class in college that worked with both Java and C++ (Object-Oriented Design) and we had to convert from one to the other and such.. and though I ha been using both languages for quite some time, it was still confusing at times.





Since its a personal thing, I'd recommend reading through some intro-to-C++ tutorials online and see how it goes. If you find yourself struggling, I'd say stay away from C++ until you have a firmer grasp on Java :)
Reply:I think you should be able to keep them separate if you are only taking one class at a time. I would not advise taking both an intro to Java and an intro to C++ at the same time, but if they are in different semesters, then you shouldn't have many problems.





I suspect if you are learning Java now, then you should pick up C++ fairly easily. They are both fairly similar, but C++ allows more memory manipulation. If you take C++ over the summer, but not Java, the worst thing I think will happen is an occasional mistake in key words when switching from one language to the other.





Good luck.
Reply:If Java is your first exposure to programming, then you might find that C++ is a little disorienting, since it looks superficially similar to Java, but lots of things have slightly different meanings.





Also, C++ is a huge language, much more complicated and powerful than Java. It's consequently much more work to get really proficient in it.





Having said all that, it's always a good idea to learn more programming languages - every language has it's own way of affecting the way you think about solving problems.





At the risk of spamming, I've written a few entries on my blog about this subject:


http://codemines.blogspot.com/2007/01/la...


http://codemines.blogspot.com/2008/03/le...
Reply:Doesn't really matter. but c++ will be really useful to learn.





doesn't really bother me to take two languages at a time. I'm current doing an AI class using java and i'm taking a c# class aswell.





i think its good to master one language though.





don't want to fall into -- jack of all trades, master of none--
Reply:Both are really similar. If you learn one it just easier to learn the other.