I would like to start looking at building an operating system, i don't expect to have it finished within the next 3/4 years but i would like to start learning the languages to do it.

What do you recommend?

Can you use C++?

I'm fluent in Visual Basic (No use, obviously), C# and Java.

I would go with C# and C++.
It is going to take quite some time, and unless you can do thousands of graphics, like Microsoft, it would have to be quite simple.
~Vincent

Do you even know what you're saying? Please don't post here if you are sure of your answer.

^ Oh, fini... Never can get a pun can he?

C# isn't capable because it requires the Microsoft framework, i know it's going to take a long time, but it's something that i'm interested in.

You know, in theory, you could build an os purely off of Java and C++.

It wouldn't be much, but it would have some simple things.
~Vincent

What do you mean by fluent? Knowing how to use all the basic programming commands isn't good enough to write an operating system.

use C, thats what it was made for.

I've heard using assembler is the way to go. It's one hell of a trek, but you can do really anything you need with it..

~~Samarkov

Assembler with C or C++ .

write with c, use assembly to rewrite things that perform slowly in c

What's wrong with C++?

its slower. you cant have slowness

I'm not sure about it being slower, but the time it will take to write it in C++ will be worth it. The benefits of C++ are most definitely worth it.

There is accually a few Java OS around for open source viewing.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/jnode/ - is the one is was told about a while back.
It hasn't changed much since I revised it.

I've heard theres some things you cannot use for an operating system in C++ and C is the way to go, but i'll definitely take a closer look into assembly.

Thanks for everyones help, further opinions appreciated.

Or you could create your own Linux Operating System... It's not easy but it's easier then the task your looking at. I created a really simple bare bone's O.S. that ran off a thumb drive only to have that thumb drive lost/stolen If this sound's more appeasing then all that C coding I'm sure I have the bookmarks from that project somewhere on my computer to give to you.

BTW, Nice to see you again Kev.

I'm pretty sure they weren't trying to start from scratch... It would be interesting to see a Java OS.