If you are doing physics research, learning a programing language would be more beneficial to your career then learning how to setup a network. IMHO You could build your own physics app.
That's close to what I was suspecting, but to get the discussion going: I'm getting to be quite proficient with C++ and Haskell on top of knowing some Python. Aside of being out-of-the-box multiplatform (and rather wanted on the market according to most of the programming offers that I have found so far), what other benefits can I get from solid Java? Please bare in mind that I'm not really a programmer, it's a hobby that happens to be incredibly useful for other stuff I'm doing on a computer. Interesting. Do you have some idea for one? On that note, I have been looking around engines like V-Play to get it a go in the direction of games with strong physics/mechanics but I'm not really a gamer myself. If you have any ideas to share on this and apps I would appreciate your input :D.You could build your own physics app.
While very few people in physics use Java for anything serious, it is still a good idea to learn the fundamental concepts behind Java and object-oriented programming. Learning different paradigms of programming will make programming more natural, and OOP is the most widely used paradigm today (though it's rather lacking in the sciences). On the other hand, if you're already proficient in multiple languages, intro java classes might be completely below you, and you'll be extremely bored. You have to really want to learn the concepts, not just the execution, for it to be interesting.
Thanks! Awesome nickname by the way :). I have been learning Fortran 90/95 for about a year and I must say that there is a surprising level of sophistication despite seeming bare-bones. I had more problems with it than with Haskell at the start… which is something that I would never suspect if not for putting effort to both. Mind expanding on that one?You have to really want to learn the concepts, not just the execution, for it to be interesting.