advice - what to learn next

[esearing]

I have spent the last six months developing web reporting systems using Middleware programs(Brio & WebFocus), HTML, ASP, JavaScript, some VBScript and SQLServer. I am self taught in these technologies and know just enough to be productive. I am looking to change career focus and would like to join a consulting firm specializing in ecommerce or data warehousing firm.

What other "stuff" should I add to my bag of tricks. JSP? JAVA?... What are the benefits or industry trends? I also have some PLSQL, some SAS, and strong MSAccess skills.

Thanks in advance, and thanks to all who have provided valuable code in this site.

Eric Searing

 

[link9]

J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) seems to be the big "buzz" right now -- will be the major competitor for Microsoft's DotNet, and there's already a large software development company in Savannah, GA, that is using it exclusively --

Obviously, the huge advantage of Sun over Microsoft is it's platform independence -- I'm not a JAVA person (that is, I'm familiar, and have coded, but am nowhere near 'experienced'), but it will be the next thing that I learn.

There's my two cents worth. **kachink**

good luck!
Paul Prewett

 

[xascendent]

The only problems with Java are: 1. you can decompile it, 2. It is a memory hog 3. it is slow.
but on the plus side java can run on any sys. On the other hand if you want to learn client/server side .net stuff it seems to me C# is the way to go.

 

[Bastien]

Let's not forget XML. The current trend also seems to be data oriented and XML will allow platform independence of the datastream.

 

[kor]

C# and VB.net may be the future, but the hot skill right now is the ability to write COM in C++. Complicated stuff. Not something you learn in undergraduate study.

The java path is the other way to go. You get to learn about JDBC, Swing, Servelets, and the all important EJB. CORBA's still around if your interested in that.

I agree that the demand for ASP developers has gotten pretty weak in the US these past few months. Broadening your skill set is a good idea.