A couple of basic questions

[boutells]

I used to dabble in VB6 but haven't used it for some years. It seems obsolete or near obsolete so I have downloaded Visual Basic Express Edition. Can this be used for basic programming or do I have to go out and buy Visual Studio, bearing in mind I am a near novice at programming. What are the added benefits of the "pay for" package over the freebie.

Also, does Visual Basic now compile itself into an installable programme (i.e. an EXE file) or do you still need third party installation software to make an installable programme. If the latter, any suggestions as to a reasonable package?

[Hack]

Moved To General Developer

Yes, the Express versions can be used for programming....all types of programming including internet and database.

All windows based programs require the use of an installation and setup package if the target machines do not have all of the necessary dependency files already installed.

[techgnome]

a little more on target to your install question (and also to the question about pay vs free) ... the Express version come with an install option known as ClickOnce Install, and that's it. It allows you to publish the installation files to a location where others can then click the install. It will then install, and run the app. it's convienient, because it allows you to easily update the app (you publish the app, they click, it updates).

That doesn't mean it's your only option, you certanly still have the third party option.

The paid version then also comes with an additional projecty template that will allow you to compile an MSI install file that you can distribute.

-tg

[Shaggy Hiker]

The major item that needs to be installed is the .NET framework. It is becoming increasingly common for that installation to be already available on computers, as even 3.5 is being pushed down via automatic updates. If you are just starting out, as you state, you may need nothing more than that and the exe file for your program to run. Therefore, I would suggest that you proceed with express, and as you need more functionality, only then look into the cost alternatives, as they could be quite diverse, from free on up, depending on what you actually write.

[dilettante]

Doesn't it create private certs in ClickOnce that don't work on other machines though? I guess I'd like to see more discussion around this by Express users. Maybe it isn't as bad as some make it out to be.