Oh, what a need for precision! Though Excel is a spreadsheet and not a programming language (was born without), it HAS a powerful programming language, so I think it's clear that "Yes it is" must be read as "No, but it has one". Here is my PERSONAL view: I'm fed up with all programming languages, they look silly and old, primitives. I won't explain here why I think so, I only say that LINQ is a small step in the right direction but definitely not enough, and not that way. So I advice to choose the first language you feel comfortable with (for any reason) and you can master to do all the things you need, possibly without additional bloat like frameworks: everything you add is a potential source of problems (mostly security ones). I use VB6 with all its dirty tricks, but if you like awful COBOL, go on stick with it. I don't think trading automation needs very complex programming; if you have sophisticated quantitative algorithms to code, you may like more "evolved" platforms.
Whatever language suits the project. There is no silver bullet. In my opinion, programming languages are just like spoken languages -- certain idioms are easier to express (see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistic_relativity">Sapir-Whorf hypothesis</a>) in certain languages. With packages like <a href="http://incubator.apache.org/thrift/">Thrift</a> and Google's <a href="http://code.google.com/p/protobuf/">Protocol Buffers</a>, how a specific service is implemented is starting to matter less and less. I write my websites in Ruby. I prototype in Ruby, Matlab, and R. I extend some services to C++ so I can use my GPU. I started writing some services in Scala because I like the stability/portability of the jvm, not having to worry about garbage collection, and how I can force myself to use functional paradigms and the actor pattern (Erlang-ish to the rescue!). Basically, I just use whatever works. You wouldn't use a screw driver to hammer a nail, would you? Use the most efficient tool for the job. That being said, for 99% of people, Excel + VBA is the best tool (though, I think <a href="http://www.resolversystems.com/products/resolver-one/">Resolver One</a> has a lot of potential).
do the puzzles on www.topcoder.com look over this http://pleac.sourceforge.net/ for the language you're using. Or download source code from oriellynet.com for there books dont worry about efficiency, bigOh, design patterns, or any of that. just get stuff working
I started with VBA, this gave me ample room to truly explore the potential of the MS Office applications. Once VBA is learned, VB .NET is a walk in the park.
c/c++. it's the industry standard. if you have interests in anything high frequency related, you can't get around knowing these.
I think Java will become next industry standard. I came cross some embedded development kit recently, it comes with a lot Java examples, really nice gui.
Until or unless they find a way to limit Java's hogging the resources, I don't see it becoming THE standard. As it is now, Java carries too big a memory footprint in my opinion. C++ will be the better language to deal with memory allocation.
Hi, I looked into F# a little bit. Could you tell me why it is specifically useful? Compared to the others you mention? I know it caters to scientists and engineers, etc., but what about it do you find appealing, that makes it any different than the others? Thanks.