>other than dabbling in R for statistics classes
I've never used R.
>and it's with Java
Eh, Java is ok, but I don't recommend it.
It has its place, but it's not the most pleasant to work with.
C/C++ is much more straight-forward, but it doesn't do automatic garbage collection, so you have to remember to delete your pointers and delete[] you arrays of pointers.
In Java, everything is a reference, so you don't need to dereference it, but in C/C++, you do, so the syntax can sometimes get a little confusing and lead to bugs, but it requires good programming practice, whereas Java requires you to think in this overly-abstracted way.
C/C++ is more technical, but it allows the user incredible amounts of control.
If you already know Java, and you wanna just quickly get into C/C++, just pick up the 6-in-1 For Dummies books on Amazon for Kindle.
Here's the links:
smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QO9PGQ/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o03_?ie=UTF8&psc=1
smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M552TYS/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o07_?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It'll get you up and running in no time.
C has better syntax and is much more straight-forward, whereas C++ has a lot of extra features to learn and a slightly more advanced syntax. I'd recommend C, THEN C++, but it's not too bad either way, and you're more likely to study C++ in a class than C.
But, if you wanna get a good heads up, C is definitely good to learn first.
I'd also recommend the Code::Blocks IDE. It's advanced and customizable. Also relatively easy to set up. Use the GNU Compiler Collection it comes with (make sure you get the right installer/binary). GCC is easy to implement, and it's about as efficient as any non-specialized compilers can be
Also, I'm technically a cross-curriculum degree in Business with Info Tech. In other words, I took too few Science and Math courses for Computer Science, but since I switched from Business, I was able to apply those credits.
I'm... in between CIS and CS.