So what should I try to learn?

[daemonk]

I've been learning vb.net in my spare time and I got a pretty good grasp of it now. I want to try to learn C++ or C#. What exactly are the differences between those two languages? What should I try to learn next?

[Hack]

As you are already involved with the .NET framework, I would stay with that theme and go with C#.

[Paul M]

Just on the difference between C++ and C# (C Sharp) Well C++ is a lower level language than C# and it probably ain't as user friendly atleast that is what i have heard though i am not starting C# full on till next year. But C++ can be a very good rapid application development tool once you get to understand the language

[shakti5385]

C#

But Be Master in One language

[daemonk]

Do the similarities in the their names (C# and C++) reflect how similar as a lanuage they are at all? If I learn C# would I be able to pick up C++ syntax quickly? There are some DLLs that I'll be using that are written in C++. How easy would it be to incorporate that into C#. I've tried to incorporate the DLLs int vb.net, but its just not worth the time.

[Hack]

If I learn C# would I be able to pick up C++ syntax quickly?

Yes. Once you have one down, moving to the other should not require a lot of effort.

[RhinoBull]

If you want stay with MS technology then what language will you choose is irrelevant.
In .Net framework generally speaking there is practically no difference which one to use (C# or VB) - they both are based on the same CLR (Common Language Runtime) libraries so both have access to anything framework has to offer.
The only noticeable difference is the syntax - so if you are more familiar with C++ type syntax you should go with C#, otherwise choose VB.

[Slaine]

The only noticeable difference is the syntax - so if you are more familiar with C++ type syntax you should go with C#, otherwise choose VB.

I would contest this and say that you should go with C# regardless. The points you make about them being practically identical are true, but in the employment market C# is far more desirable, and higher paid than VB, and for that reason alone I would always advise learning C# if you are starting with a clean slate.

[RhinoBull]

... in the employment market C# is far more desirable, and higher paid than VB...

In my town that's far from reality and we have probably the biggest IT job market in the world.
I really don't know where you are getting your information from.

[Slaine]

/Looks at RhinoBulls location.

Pfft You all smoke the funny stuff over there

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=VB.Net/Salary
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=C%2523/Salary

That's for the US, but it is a similar situation where I am.

[bgmacaw]

In my town that's far from reality and we have probably the biggest IT job market in the world.
I really don't know where you are getting your information from.

Based on my own job search within the last year, in the Metro Atlanta, GA USA area, it's like this:

C# + ASP.NET = Many well paying job opportunities doing new development. Employers are very, very, picky about who they'll hire and tend to frown on developers with long VB Classic or ASP experience and show a preference toward those with other web based programming backgrounds.

VB.NET + ASP.NET = Many well paying jobs at about 10-15% less than the comparable C# jobs. Also mostly doing new development. Employers aren't quite as picky as those looking for C#

non-web C# = Fewer jobs but still well paid. Also mostly doing new development and also tend to have very picky employers.

non-web VB.NET = even fewer jobs, pay is OK but considerably less than anything web based or C# based. Also mostly doing new development. Less picky.

VB6 = fewer jobs and for those the pay is lower and the working conditions are usually bad. Only maintenance programming, no new development. Thrilled that you'll be willing to come and take care of their old application unless they think you'll be bored with it, then they get picky.

[Slaine]

VB6 = fewer jobs and for those the pay is lower and the working conditions are usually bad. Only maintenance programming, no new development. Thrilled that you'll be willing to come and take care of their old application unless they think you'll be bored with it, then they get picky.

so true!

[daemonk]

well I am not really learning for employment purposes. Kinda just for fun. I am actually a geneticist. But if C# is so popular, I might as well learn something that has more resources.

[RhinoBull]

/Looks at RhinoBulls location.

Pfft You all smoke the funny stuff over there

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=VB.Net/Salary
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Skill=C%2523/Salary

That's for the US, but it is a similar situation where I am.

That study isn't correct - sort of close but not quite. I's done for the entire country and as I said in my town things are different.
If you offer $75K for senior programmer analyst position people would simply laught at you - that is an avarage salary arround here and VB and C3 are both equally the same.
Senior PA makes somewhere between 95 and 120K and in many case plus solid bonus.

BTW, you need to learn geography to find where "my town" is.