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Ask HN: What programming language/framework to use in a side project?

2 points by quaffapint ↗ HN
I'm a long time .NET and PHP dev (yes, I hear HN cringing) and have a couple side projects I want to put together. My corporate job is in .NET and my current couple of side projects are in PHP. I don't have tons of free time between my job and family, and anything I want to learn has to be "for profit". Meaning, I want to learn things that will keep me or get me employed (outside the startup/San Fran world).

Do, I just beef up more on .NET to cover things I don't do at work or try to expand into like Python? What about front-end, stick with MVC view templates/jquery or try Angular?

Does it look better on the resume having experience with more or more experience with few?

5 comments

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duiker101
My suggestion is to go for something you never tried so yes, Python with django could be a good thing if you never used them and for javascript try dropping and going for angular/backbone/ember. For the resume I think it depends on what you want. I like to have a bit of everything so if I want to change field I can. But that means that I am not yet a super expert on anything. I think that if you became truly good at one thing you could ask for a higher salary but you will be stuck with it and might be harder to find a job. But this is just my personal opinion.
taurenk
I'm in a similar boat - for work I mostly use MSSQL/.net. For side projects I have been using Python/Flask which have not only been a blast to use but seem to be very flexible.
guiambros
Go with something you've never tried before. Not only for the intellectual challenge, but because it will pay off in the long run: make you more versatile, better understanding of different programming paradigms, open new doors to positions at companies that aren't .net/PHP shops.

Python with Django and Angular is a solid option, particularly with the widespread adoption of the language. Ruby on Rails is a popular choice too, but less use in the traditional corporate world (which I guess is your space, given .net).

Some may say functional programming, but less commercial value. Go is a great language too, but haven't played with any mvc framework yet.

quaffapint
Thanks to those that made suggestions - it's appreciated to hear other people's opinions. I was hoping to get more, but without front page on HN that doesn't happen.