Fear of Forgetfulness

[VolTeK]

Have you guys ever wanted to learn another programming language, but feared it meant leaving the old one behind, or forgetting parts of it?

Knowing C++ and Assembler, i now need to move on and learn Python (for a project im currently working on) While my development team for this particular project sits at 3, none of us know how to use python (which is needed). So being the team development leader, i figured it was up to me to learn it (and then teach the team it), and with some motivation from my good friend mike, it would be a very easy task compared to what ive done so far in my experience. My fear is Forgetting parts, or abandoning C++ to this. I understand this may be an over exaggerated outcome but, is it possible?

Ive used C++ and Assembler for a total of 3 years now, would learning python do anything bad to my memory or creativity of the past languages i know? Is there anyway i can avoid this (ofcourse practice) or a way anyone else did to avoid it as well?

[NickJohnson]

Ive used C++ and Assembler for a total of 3 years now, would learning python do anything bad to my memory or creativity of the past languages i know? Is there anyway i can avoid this (ofcourse practice) or a way anyone else did to avoid it as well?

If you wrote in Python for a year with no C++, you'd at least be better off than if you didn't write anything for a year, since most languages are fundamentally pretty similar. You should also be able to get back into a language pretty quickly if you knew it well before. I really wouldn't worry about it.

Also, creativity comes from having a wide range of knowledge to pull from. Python is different enough from assembly and C++ that it should give you new ideas on how to structure programs. This is not to say that good structure in Python is good structure in C++, or even that creativity gives you the most well-structured programs. Creativity is almost always good, IMO, but if all you want is to be able to program the way you did before, perhaps creativity is not what you seek .

[VolTeK]

Thanks, you are right too. Unlike Assembly to C++, Python sorta has a system like C++. Assembly is a different system. Maybe i fear because of my transition from asm to C++. Where as learning python wont do much to hurt my memory as its system is nearly similar to that of C++. (Reading tutorials, actually very easy compared to C++, may have this down in a couple days).

Not declaring data types however may get to me.. Easier to keep track of though

[Kevin]

Learning a new language means that you hopefully learn new concepts, and this will make you a better programmer in any language. After learning three more languages and not touching C++ at all for a while, you might well be a better C++ programmer than before.

[Gigasoft]

Learning is not dangerous to your existing memories. Do not be concerned that knowledge will become lost. If you ever forget something about a language, it's already safely written down in books that are easily available.