Career advice sought - which technologies?

My desire is to switch careers from business programming in RPG on the AS/400 to web-related methodologies that include web programming and databases. My goal is directed toward the "web" but it's also to modernize my skills. Thus, one of the areas I'm considering is SQL Server though its not a "web technology" per se.

Things that are flying through my head include:
PHP
ASP
SQL Server
XML
Java

I would have listed JavaScript but I see it listed so rarely in the classifieds. I think employers just assume everyone knows it - kind of like HTML.

My heretofore efforts at determining what would be of most benefit to learn has been to look through the classifieds. I've seen a good number of ads for Java, SQL Server, and a bit of ASP and a little PHP. I don't want to be a hardcore programmer again (like I am now) but a more broad-based developer with focus on the "web". That's why I've excluded C++ and VB - both of which I've taken courses in.

I'd be willing to study Java for the fact that it appears to be desired by employers though my foundation in object-oriented programming is very weak.

Anyone have any advice to offer?

It really depends on what you want to achieve. If you want to find work, then likely, in terms of web backend, you'll find it easier at the Application Layer with Java and .NET, and then Oracle at the db layer. In NZ (where I make my humble abode) most development companies use Java or .NET.

Alternatively you could consider the open source path, which is currently gathering a lot of momentum. For example Yahoo have just moved to PHP, talked about here, and they have the largest website in the world.

I choose to learn open source for a number of reasons, and it has worked out pretty good for me. Firstly I started using PHP because it was easy to learn. After that I got stuck with something and somehow stumbled on this forum. Problem solved in minutes, and I've been coming back ever since So easy to learn and good community support are good reasons. I also dislike M$ in general and think their products are crap, but I have learnt java/j2ee although PHP still is my favorite by a long way

If I were you I would serious consider having a play with PHP/MySQL to begin with. It is a great place to start, grab phptriad, install it and try this this tutorial, written by a kiwi. Easy and fun, how can you go wrong? Then if you still want/need to learn ASP, it will be a breeze.

Good Luck

As I'm most likely going to be laid off soon, I'm currently trying to learn Java. PHP is on my list though also. I'm no fan of M$ either but I'm trying to pick up skills that will help "future-proof" my career.

P.S. Though Oracle might be good for finding a job, I have absolutely no interest in it and will go the SQL route instead (SQL Server and MySQL).

Thanks for both of your replies.

Oracle is an SQL DBMS, just like SQL server and (to a much lesser degree) MySQL. In fact, Oracle was one of the pioneers of SQL development.

SQL is supposed to be an independent ANSI standard, although no DBMS developer meets all the standards perfectly.

You might also consider PostgreSQL, which is a free, open-source system like MySQL, but much closer to meeting the ANSI standards. (see http://techdocs.postgresql.org/)

Thanks for the clarification. It's not so much what's behind the curtain with Oracle, it's more of what I've heard about it. When I refer to learning SQL, I mean more of SQL in general. Though, I'll probably choose SQL Server as a "product" to learn to increase my chances of employment.

I would choose SQL Server over MySQL and PostGreSQL simply because I see it in use much more. Just about every job I've had in the recent past, SQL Server was used in one form or another - though I never had anything to do with it. And of MySQL and PostGreSQL, I'd choose MySQL simply because, like in so many instances, that's what my web host offers.

Yes, I know that MySQL became the more popular choice for much of web hosting. However, PostgreSQL is becoming more of a force to be reckoned with. It is more well-known in science/engineering circles, because it has some outstanding features for scientific computing. For example BASF corporation is using it extensively.

Also, PostgreSQL is going to be the main database behind the DNS servers for all .ORG domains. (see this post).

Also, a note on one of my other favorite technologies: PHP is now being adopted by the largest website in the world .

Good times ahead for those who know open-source technologies, IMHO...