Slime wrote:

> If you can learn an obscure language like Haskell, you can learn C++.

I see. And what do you base this observation on?

Haskell is a small, simple, logical language. C++ is a huge, messy, 
complex language. I don't see how learning an easy language should 
enable me to learn a hard language.

> If you 
> learned C++, or maybe Java if you preferred, you could use that skill to get 
> a job you would like (games or not).

I already *know* Java. ;-)

(Although it sounds like they've added a few new language features since 
I used it. And I am 100% certain that most of the APIs I know have been 
deprecated, undeprecated, and redeprecated at least twice by now. For 
some reason, the Java guys like to completely change all the APIs with 
each minor release...)

> Why don't you put the time into it?

What makes you think I haven't?

Actually, at college we spent a whole semester programming in C. I'm 
sure I've recounted the tale before. Basically C is a language designed 
for experts. If you do something dumb, it will make absolutely no 
attempt to save you. It will just merrily produce garbage, and leave you 
with no hope of finding out why. Apparently there are people who know 
the Secret Techniques for debugging C programs, and even writing C 
programs that are correct in the first place - but this wasn't part of 
the syllabus.

 From what I've read, C++ is exactly like C, but 80% more complicated. 
Given that I could bearly produce working code in C with the tutor's 
help, my chances of getting anywhere with C++ are basically nil.

> I 
> had a lot of fun with C++ and OpenGL in college. It's really not that hard 
> to learn for someone like you.

As I say, the trouble is that if your program doesn't work, there is no 
way you can ever find out why. (Especially if you're using something 
like OpenGL. It's an extremely complicated API, and unless you pay money 
it's not possible to get hold of useful documentation.)

I've actually thought about trying to use OpenGL from Haskell, but I 
keep being put off by just how huge and complex the API is...

-- 
http://blog.orphi.me.uk/
http://www.zazzle.com/MathematicalOrchid*

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