Need direction guide

[Lutger]

Sam Hu wrote:

> I have learnt C++ for years and can write simple and short toys.I have 
been following and learning D for quite a while but I can do nothing except 
finding ppl like you giant seems just write libs at this moment.I believe D2 
is getting mre powerful and stronger but it seems to me just a legend.So 
right at this moment,I am wondering:
> 1.Whether D1 is useful to do something,or it is quite worth to wait for 
the stable or "finalized" verison of D2?If yes,what can one do using D1,I 
mean not just a toy,a test product,rather an serious tool?

D1 is very useful and mature imho, you can do anything with it that it was 
designed for and them some more. 

The choice of D1 or D2 is not too difficult: D2 itself is still changing, 
compiler may have more bugs, and there are very, very few libraries for it. 
Even the dsss build tool does not work with latest versions of dmd2. This 
means: only usable for learning, building libraries and generally if you 
want to stay on top of the bleeding edge. Not so suitable for making 
applications yet.

> 2.Are those feathers in D2 vital  while D1 does not have?Or all these 
features are just for experienced programmers,a beginner can just ignore 
them at present?

Both are true I think. They really are important improvements, but not in a  
way that makes D1 incomplete without them. 
 
> I am lost although I like D so much than C++.I would like to spend as much 
time as learning C++ and want to gain as much as gain C++ can offer me.Any 
constructive suggestions or guideline would be much appreicated.
> 
> Regards,
> Sam

Is your goal for now *just* to learn D? Then you could start making toy 
programs with D2. Is your goal to learn D and make some cool programs? Then 
D1 will make that easier. 

Happy programming!