(04-06-2012, 08:15 PM)scummos Wrote: Okay, assuming you started with a language that had those concepts, it's easy to dismiss them. If you started with python, wrapping your head around C memory management is not as easy.
I started with BlitzBasic, and then I moved on to C++. I got pointers down in a couple of hours. The memory management between the two is greatly different. Once I read up on how memory is supposed to work, it was fairly easy to connect the dots.
(04-06-2012, 08:15 PM)scummos Wrote: Well, the python and C++ ideas of "objects" are very different. Of course it's an advantage to know either of the two languages if you want to learn the other one, but you'll have to seriously rethink your idea of an "object".
Forget about C++, Java, or any specific language. Let's just say I went and read about objects on Wikipedia or from a Computer Science book. How exactly would I seriously have to rethink my ideas of what an object is? I've looked at a lot of Python code, and even had someone at my LUG give a presentation on Python coding, specifically with making your own objects. I don't recall ever having to seriously reorder my understanding of what objects were, in any language that I've learned.
(04-06-2012, 08:15 PM)scummos Wrote: For reaching a beginner level in the new language, yes. For reaching a state where you're really comfortable with the new language (and where others are comfortable with the code you write) it is not guaranteed that your previous knowledge will help you much (it might, of course, if the languages have similar concepts).
And that's what I've been talking about, learning a new language rather than mastering it. Knowing the concepts I mentioned let's you pick up another one fairly quickly. Gaining confidence, or even slight expertise requires learning specifics, but a large part of many languages share similar broad concepts that are at the core of programming.