Which SQL/Access & VB/C++/VC++???Advice

[oktay]

Hello,
If you answer these questions I will be really happy.
1 ) I have been using VB since six month.I’m only interested VB but in market necessary to know many different programs(SQL,Access,BackOffice........) . I’m interested internet programming (network , client-server....) . Now I want to know which program I should start to learn .

2 ) VB is my first programming language . Is second programming language necessary ? . If second programming language is necessary , When I understand its true time to start ? ,Which language is your advice?

[SoftwareMaker]

Hi,

VB is Good and is marketable NOW. With the introduction of VB.Net, VB will more or less be dead as the new language is totally different from VB. VB.net is truly an OO Language and you should take a look at it. There is a lot of hype right now (as usual with any new product) BUT I think the .Net platform WILL eventually take off. But dont worry, VB6 will still be in the marketplace for the next few years as the cycle of new software platforms usually take abt 3 years to filter into the market.

SQL is not really a software programming platform but a syntax that Most relational DB management apps uses to talk to each other. Access is an MS DB App that uses SQL (Jet) so does Oracle and MS SQL Server.

On a Personal note, the programming language world and platform is huge and ever-Fast Changing. There is no way anyone can keep in front of everything all the time. You will get burnt out fast. SPECIALIZE and FOCUS on one area...whether its Database Design, Web Development etc and you will be OK. Dont try to do too much or you will end up not knowing anything.

To answer Q2, there is alwasys demand for a second language altho I doubt that anyone can be so good and professional in 2 languages with 2 different syntaxes. Focus on 1 language, but have some technical know-hows in another. Dont master both. It is difficult and counter-productive.

From my personal experience, JAVA seems to have overtaken Visual C++ as the Preferred OO Language. But I think the new .net platform will change that and there will be C#. You could try JAVA but it is really difficult to learn 2 different languages with 2 totally different platforms...If you are believer in Msoft, stick with MSoft products and technologies. Concentrate with VB for now, wait for the hype of the new platform to blow over, then see what happens.

I hope this long msg helps

[hellswraith]

To add some more...I think knowing database software will help you out a lot. Most programming involves getting and putting information in databases. So you would need to learn how to use SQL statements and database software. Database design is a complex subject, anyone who tells you different doesn't have a clue. There is a lot to learn. That is why there are jobs just for designing databases. You don't have to be that good with them, but you should know how they work.

Also, if you stick with VB, you really are learning a few different skills. Once you learn VB, it is easy to do ASP (VBScript) and VB for Applications. This adds to your skill set without having to stray to far from VB.

I think it wouldn't hurt to know more than VB. I personaly love the fact that I can dab in C++, Java, JavaScript when I need to. I guess I could possibly be wasting my time, but who knows. Maybe I will pick up stuff along the way that I would have never been exposed to. As a matter of fact, I am now reading a book on Cobol programming. I probably won't stick with it, but it will make me a better programmer to understand a broad set of languages.

I am concentrating on VB, but I am not going to limit myself from truly understanding the other languages, and what they offer.

Knowing Object Oriented development is a real good skill too.

[Lethal]

Here's my advice. Read a few VB books, get a good grip on the programming language in general and then move onto different areas. Since you are obviously interested in databases, I would pick a dbms to master, such as SQL 7 or 2000, Oracle, Sybex, etc...Also, get a book on Object-Oriented and COM. These will play a huge role in your quest. I personally feel these three areas are a must for any vb programmer.

[SoftwareMaker]

Fanatic is right,

The true power of VB lies in its OO. Altho not touted to be a true OOP (Object-Oriented Program), it still emcompasses some of the power of other OOP (like Java and C++)

Once you get to the advanced stages of VB, you will slowly ditch standard modules and create Class modules and ActiveX objects.

It is well-known fact that half of all VB programmers in the world still adhere to the old method and style of structured programming. And it you still use structured programming in an OOP environment such as VB, you havent seen the power of VB yet. A good VB app use classes more often, you will find it so much easier to maintain, read and upgrade later on.

Therefore, learn more about OO Analysis and Design and COM. You cant go wrong from here as OOP is here to stay

[oktay]

Thanks for all your answer.Another Q ;For Web Development which is your choice (PHP,ASP,Vscript...)

[parksie]

For web development I prefer the PHP/MySQL combo rather than ASP/Access (or MSSS).

PS: if you mean SQL Server say SQL Server rather than just SQL Not pointing fingers at anyone, just making a global gripe.