ben said:
the basics of sql are the same across the board, however mySQL doesn't yet support all the functionality of SQL Server, so code is not always interchangeable.
Interesting you should say that. Most SQL Servers have the same functions, but they call them different things. Also schemas are configured in a more Oracle like fashion.
Java as a rule I steer clear of, because it claims to be fully cross platform, but that comes with a big disclaimer which goes something along the lines of "so long as you have the same platform as the devloper who wrote the java software". There are many different Java VMs about, SUN and IBM to name but two. I favour C++ as a cross platform language, since its compiled to a specific environment IMO it gives more stable binaries, however the major drawback of compiled languages, is that you need to develop libraries and compile binaries for each environment you intend on releasing to, which brings me on to C# (.NET) (C sharp or C hash as I like to call it) a logical progression on from C++ and a rival to Java (J2EE) since its non-compiled, and aledgedly cross platform. Infact all .NET technologies are supposedly cross platform and stable. Where I say non-compiled, it is only compiled into an intermediate language, the VM does the rest of the work to change it into the native OS language.
If you're thinking you want to become a developer, it seems there is a clear devide, those who microsoft, and those who java/php/mysql. But really once you've learned the basics of one programming language and how to think in terms of code. New languages are relatively easy to pick up. My personal preference for languages is C++ and C#. Internet Scripting languages (I consider to be informal languages) are worth knowing, but you should be able to back it with a formal language IMO. But thats just me... I can write hello world in 8086 machine code
And on a closing note, don't try and learn everything all at once. Concentrate on Java or C++ or something, you can always learn asp or php scripting on a wet sunday afternoon, or even on the job.
And very finally. The new vogue (and its more than just a fashion trend) is XML (ok been around for ages) and XSL and XSLT again not a huge amount of intellect required to learn, but an absolute bonus, when it comes to getting a job in pretty much any dev environment.
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EDIT: is it an aprenta course?