Expanding my languages (to c#?)

[Programmer4fun]

Quick question - figured it was best to put it here.

I mostly program for fun, and I want to learn some new languages.

What I know well: C++, Java, VB6
What I'm learning: PHP

So here's the question:
should I learn C#,... Or
VB2005/ vb.net
(I read that vb 2005 is the latest version of vb.net)

or - should I go ahead and learn both / in what order?

[jmcilhinney]

If it's just for fun then it doesn't matter. VB.NET is reputed/intended to be a little easier than C# and the VB IDE and language provide some functionality that facilitates that. C# is reputed/intended to be a little more powerful than VB.

Some people say that VB6 experience can be a hindrance to learning VB.NET because you tend to try to make it work the way VB6 does. The main cause of problems there is the switch to proper OOP, but if you're familiar with C++ and Java then that's not going to be an issue.

If you enjoy learning then do try them both but, as I said, if you are doing it just for fun then I would put a priority on either. With your experience you shouldn't have trouble with one over the other. I learned VB.NET with C++ and Java experience and no VB6, then moved onto C# as well when I felt reasonably comfortable. I doubt that it would have been an issue to do it the other way though.