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Managed C++ does indeed allow one to play on both sides of the fence. The first book I assimilated when starting my C++ effort was Ivor Horton's Beginning C++ 2008. I diligently trodded through the book, only to wind up feeling I knew a lot about very little. Trying to grasp the basics of C++, MFC, and Managed C++ in one book is just too much. Trying to keep all the ^'s straight while learning C++ was draining. Since I already know the framework from working with C# for years, I concluded the better strategy is to:
1. Learn straight C++. I am currently doing this via the Thinking in C++ books and am on Volume 2.
2. Learn the Windows API. I have already assimilated a vintage Petzold "Programming Windows 98" and plan to assimilate a vintage copy of Jeffrey Richter's "Advanced Windows" I have in my possession.
3. Learn MFC. I've partially assimilated Jeff Prosise's "Programming Windows 95 with MFC".
4. Learn COM. I have a bookmark in Don Box's Essential COM.
5. Learn Managed C++. I assume that after having a firm foundation in the other technologies, I'll be able to more easily keep my ^'s straight.
I'm keenly aware that .NET and related technologies aren't going away, and for good reason, they are awesome. However I don't think the Windows API, COM, or MFC are going away anytime soon either. I find it interesting that to learn these technologies, I'm forced to resort to 10+ year old books. The upside is that these books are very cheap now.
I've made the observation that very few of the hugely successful applications on the desktop are written in .NET. I'm sure this is changing, but it seems to me that to attain maximum reach and to run on minimal hardware, C++ is still the way to go for most commercial desktop applications.
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I voted in the "other" category and found that ColdFusion had only 4 votes!  
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I developed in ColdFusion years ago for paid work purposes. It has a friendly API and it works on my Mac 
When I am loaded due to Windows Coldfusion is a good choice
Cheers
Marcello Turnbull
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C and C++ should not be together for this poll.
C used to pay my bills, but C++ never did.
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We're using Flex for a web ui application and I'm enjoying it immensely!
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I pay the bills with VB6, C# and SQL. I do get the occasional project in VB.Net and I would not lump that in the same category with VB6. They are 2 totally different animals. VB.Net is a lot more like C# than VB6.
And then they through VBScript in the mix?
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Asking for a ranking of languages might offer a better picture. The only reason I included VB in my response is that it is the embedded programming language for MS SQL Server Integration and Reporting Services. So I use it, but only because I have no better choice, and it ought to appear at the bottom of my list. SQL and C# would be the top ones.
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I agree JR. It doesn't seem consistant with the seperation of the C# and C/C++ categories in the survey.
Adding VBScript to the mix is liken to including Java and JavaScript in the same category. The languages are related in syntax but that's about it.
Interesting how you brought up SQL (Sequential Query Language). If the question was what language have you been paid to use the most over your career, my answer would have been SQL. Its not an application development language but is perhaps the most commonly used database language. Maybe it will appear in next weeks pool 
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I noticed someone filled in RPG under their optional text.
My sympathies there. I'm glad to say I haven't had to look at RPG in well over a decade.
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I though RPG went out with the commodore 64  . Have not seen it in over 25 years...
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We still use RPG (RPG IV) at my office. We have some legacy AS400 apps built on it.
I look at them as little as possible. 
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It appears that almost everyone writes web related programs.
Where are all the people that makes critical programs?
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Yo!
Software Zen: delete this;
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I made critical program once, it said "critical error, system unstable bla bla bla" does that count?
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Well, by critical I mean, if it fails, the possibility of at least one human death is very high.
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Mirds wrote: Well, by critical I mean, if it fails, the possibility of at least one human death is very high.
Does the developers life count? 
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Okay, two lives, including one developer
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I create and maintain hospital software. I guess it could be considered in this category. If our software fails, the nurses could always talk to each other like they did before they used our software.
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I am in the C++ category.
[EDIT]Well its not that critical. If it were I would have to go through FDA approval.[/EDIT]
John
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We deliver dispatching software for emergency numbers (911 etc...)
critical enough? 
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Mirds wrote: Where are all the people that makes critical programs?
you mean like direct missiles and aircraft? err... I don't know.... somewhere I am sure.... 
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Mirds wrote: It appears that almost everyone writes web related programs.
Where are all the people that makes critical programs?
I develop business-logic, not web front-ends. Can't get myself interested in doing that.
-cb
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The demand for Desktop applications is dwindling.
People want to live in the "clouds" now.
Personally, I'd rather keep the desktop apps.
I like to know my software will be there in a year if I still want to use it.
Good thing I'm a programmer, just in case.
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I mean, hard real-time programs.
It is just incredible how almost all news I see is about web development, .NET, etc.
Not a single news about ADA, C or even C++.
New languages just aren't secure or safe enough.
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