Well, this is what I have to say about languages. It all depends on what you're doing. If you're doing linux scripting, I would suggest python. With knowing C/C++, you'll feel right at home. It's a very powerful language, and is very quick also. Google uses it for a lot of their work. Python also works in windows quite nicely. If you're doing web, java would definitely be the way to go. Java has a lot of nice features. Java classes will integrate with jsp pages seamlessely. Jsp has layers seperating business and presentation layers. You can write java applets. I also heard the newer java releases have been written to run a lot faster than before. Java is a very powerful tool. If you have Microsoft servers, C#/asp.net are definitely the way to. It integrates into anything MS related. It really depends on what you're doing I guess. Can you give some more insight into the direction you are heading? ....Have fun with the database administration. -Josh On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 11:34:58 -0600, Paul Overby <xpoverby at comcast.net> wrote: > Good questions. I can get funding from the state to upgrade my skills and > deciding what makes the most sense. Java seems to be growing. I have > good experience with Shell scripting, Perl, C, and assembler. I also did > visual basic for a couple years but my strengths are in Unix and mainframe > environments doing administration and tools type development. > I am also thinking classes in database administration or systems > administration > might be more appropriate.