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You can do pretty well as a developer if all you know is eg Cobol or low level C.

Do keep in mind that the industry has exploded in size over the years.



I'm pushing 40 and primarily a Java developer. I'd be surprised if I can't ride this wave all the way to retirement.


Python seems to be headed this way, as well. People tend to forget that Python is almost 30 years old already. That it's held up this long, and that it's still being developed and maintained strongly suggests it will continue to be a viable language in the industry for many more years.


There is still plenty of new development going on in Java, and I hope that continues. But I'd be afraid that if Java is all you know, you're going to increasingly be stuck on critical legacy JEE / Spring apps at banks, insurance companies, etc. Right now that's okay - there's still a lot of innovation in these frameworks. But in 10-15 years, it might be the worst kind of gig left, stuck with offshored and contracting teams of the lowest bidder.


If Cobol is anything to go by, at least pay won't be much of an issue.




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