C# or Java !?

[rootsnall]

I am currently contracting as an SAP techie and have reasonable but out of date C++ experience ( MS and Unix ) and some Java experience. I am now located in the North West and dont want to go on the road anymore so want to broaden my potential sweep of contracts within daily commute range and am thinking I may attempt to get certified in either Java or C#/.Net the next time I'm out of work. The theory is that it would then be easier to get some sort of work with my out of date CV stuff bolstered by a new certificate. What are the experiences/thoughts out there on the which is the best skill to get future work in ? I'm not really interested in the technical merits of each solution but which will bring a better chance of work.

[xoggoth]

Don't ask me. If I thought anyone would take me seriously I would deliberately misadvise because I hate people succeeding where I don't.

I think a summary of many responses to similar questions on CUK (apart from the UNIX freaks) would be that Java is yesterday's cody thing and that what you should go for is the C#.net cody thing.

[SupremeSpod]

Update your C++ skills - you'll never be out of work!

[AtW]

language

Learn Chinese and you will have job for live. :rolleyes

[fiddleabout]

Re: language

Do not under any circumstance learn Russian.

There is significant medical evidence to show that doing so turns you into a fukwit. The studies only covered native Russian speakers learning English but the converse could be true so don't take the risk.

[Capn Graybeard]

Re: language

I'm going to change direction. I'm thinking of turning either North or South. Which one do you think I should take. And no pisstaking, I'm serious about this.

[thunderlizard]

Re: language

If as you say you just want the one in which most work is (going to be) done, C# by a country mile. But if, like most people, you have got half an eye on the supply side, dunno.

[zeitghost]

Re: language

In the helpful spirit of all the above, there's always APL....

Do they still do that funny golf ball printer thingy?

[BlasterBates]

.

If your C++ is Microsoft stuff then .NET is the way to go as you can sell real experience. .NET is new enough not have any. With Java you´re competing against contractors with 5 or more years experience.