.NET Retraining Direction?

[Hardgrafter]

Hi all

I'm currently retraining as a C#.NET dev, 32 years old.

Just over a year's experience so still in a junior role but hoping to become a contractor in years to come.
I work for a small firm and I've been concentrating on specialising in C#.NET, WPF & SQL server to be precise so all desktop based development.

My boss is now trying to steer me towards a web based project using Javascript & HTML5.

Now, I don't want to end up as a 'jack of all trades', 6 months here & there in with various languages & API's, I'd rather become a specialist in the one area, preferably .NET as I already have a year's experience and the .NET market looks buoyant, both perm and contracting.

Looking towards the future and eventually contracting, would it be beneficial for me to take on the web based JS project in order to gain some web experience or am I better off sticking with .NET and really focusing on specialising even though it would limit me to desktop app development?

Cheers,
Tom

[SpontaneousOrder]

Are you comfortable with web tech in general? I.e. how it all works? (rather than js/html specifically)

If not then this might be an opportunity to learn soething other than the desktop - the whole world is going webby/mobile. I don't do js/HTML unless apart from little bits and pieces when needed, but building enterprise applications I still need a good understanding of web tech in general.

[Hardgrafter]

I have a bit of experience yes with ASP.NET. Taught myself a bit of Html, CSS3, used a bit of JQuery & Ajax. Have a bit of experience dealing with asynchronous postback, browser compatibility issues etc. so not completely in the dark.

That's what I was wondering, whether the experience working in the web environment would be beneficial despite being outside of C#.

If the project was ASP.NET I'd be happy to dive right in knowing that it would supplement my .NET learning.

[BlueSharp]

Hi,

If your using .net tech (Web forms, MVC) and javascript/HTML for the web site projects then that works well with the career path of learning .net. If your boss is steering you to be a UI guy to use javascript and html only with little .net work then I would be concerned.

You can always tailor your CV or have multiple CV's to emphasize either .net web or .net apps if you can do both.

[Hardgrafter]

Hi,

If your using .net tech (Web forms, MVC) and javascript/HTML for the web site projects then that works well with the career path of learning .net. If your boss is steering you to be a UI guy to use javascript and html only with little .net work then I would be concerned.

You can always tailor your CV or have multiple CV's to emphasize either .net web or .net apps if you can do both.

Great thanks. No I don't want to end up as as UI designer! My boss is a SQL dev so I don't think that's likely to happen.
Thanks for the advice.

[RasputinDude]

Use it as an opportunity - .NET web based stuff adds a lot to your skill set. Bone up on MVC (you'll still be using .NET as well as javascript/HTML5) - it's in much higher demand than classic ASP.NET. Also as you're doing a web based app you should probably look at Azure as well.

[Hardgrafter]

Use it as an opportunity - .NET web based stuff adds a lot to your skill set. Bone up on MVC (you'll still be using .NET as well as javascript/HTML5) - it's in much higher demand than classic ASP.NET. Also as you're doing a web based app you should probably look at Azure as well.

Ok great, thanks. I'm using\learning MVVM with WPF so the translation to web-based MVC should be achievable.

[lilelvis2000]

I started off as C and Windows SDK guys - than C++ and MFC. All desktop stuff. Than Desktop with DB backend apps. And now its 75% web apps. The only non web apps requests I get are for services - to service other web apps or devices and the odd Access DB work.

I've been working in CodFusion (yes still around), ASP.net, JS, jQuery, CSS, HTML, SQL, JSON. take all of that to build a web app these days. Far different than just C++ & Windows Resource Editor of the past.

Its the way things are - go with it.

[SpontaneousOrder]

Plus JavaScript is becoming a big deal these days with server side NodeJs etc. I wouldn't hurt to learn it so long as yuo don't end up a UI guy as already mentioned.