I am new to ASP

I have had experiences in the following languages javascript, C, C++, PL/SQL, HTML, LISP, Prolog, and Pro*C. I just started learning ASP a week ago. Then I found out that ASP.net is going to be the next thing. Should I study ASP.net instead of ASP? According most online sources, ASP/VBscript is mainly for MS servers (except using Chiilsoft's software for running on Unix). Is this true?
Are there many job opportunities for ASP/Vscript programmers (just as much as that of JSP/Java programmers)? I already learn enough programming languages that don't help me get a job in the real world and I will graduate soon. Hence, it's very important for me to find out the popularities (in the corporate world) of a language before spending anytime learning that language.
Any advice will be appreciated.

I've worked for 3 large wireless telecommunications companies now that all have .ASP front ends to many of their primary applications. I personally think it has a lot to do with the companies overall IT philosopy, and how they implement it. Anyplace you go that has a large MS infrastructure, you are likely to find a lot of .asp/vbscript in use.


I have recently changed jobs and taken a position with MS in Redmond and can say that my scripting ability in .vbs and perl had a large impact on their decision to hire me...so I guess it was a good thing for me to know how to script. Of course, I'm not a software developer or engineer either...I'm a Systems Administrator for enterprise level Windows 2000 environments so scripting is an essential part of my job. One of the benefits that I've found...is that if you can script in .vbs, then that also means that you can script .asp pages as well as Windows Scripting Host and ADSI scripting because they are all conceptually the same.

If your goals are in Web Development or Systems Administration, then I'd definitely invest the time to get a decent understanding of vbscript...if your more interested in software development (not web), then I wouldn't think that it would be as important.

Hope this helps!

~imav8n


Edited by - imav8n on 09/23/2001 05:25:05

Thanks for replying. After review your advice and other web sites' review on the two technologies--.Net and J2EE, I decided to go with .Net because J2EE has a steep learning curve. Apache servers seem to dominate--over 50%--the Internet. Unfortunately, MS stuffs wouldn't run on it. I guess in the future I will probably have to learn J2EE.