new to VB NET

[Newtester]

Hello,

I am a quite confident programmer in VB6 now. I want to start learning VB NET now since some of my projects require me to use this now.

What I want to know is to learn the VB NET do I need a different software package like for VB6 I have Visual Basic 6 Studio? If yes what is that package that I need for VB NET?

How different is VB NET comparing to VB6? Can I do the Web designing using the VB NET?

I will appreciate a lot if anyone can explain the differences between VB6 and VB NET and tell me how easy it is to work with VB NET and that if I could design a full working web site using VB NET.

Thanks in Advance.

[Negative0]

What I want to know is to learn the VB NET do I need a different software package like for VB6 I have Visual Basic 6 Studio? If yes what is that package that I need for VB NET?

Yes. You probably want to go with Visual Studio 2005, as that is the most recent production ready version. There is an express version that is free and provides much of the functionality of the professional and enterprise versions.

How different is VB NET comparing to VB6?

They are different languages that follow similar syntax. There is a lot to learn with the framework, so don't get discouraged.

Can I do the Web designing using the VB NET?

Yes.

This topic has been discussed many times on the forum, so you can find a lot of information by searching through past threads.

[jmcilhinney]

VB6 and VB.NET are in essence two different languages with very similar syntax. You should treat VB.NET as a new language and not expect anything to work the same as it did in VB6, considering it a bonus when it does.

Visual Studio 2005 is required to code in VB 2005. You can get free Express versions of Visual Basic for Windows apps and Visual Web Developer for ASP.NET apps.

Compared to other languages with equivalent power, VB.NET is easier than average to learn, but it will be easier if you are able to let go off VB6. The biggest headache for most upgraders is the fully object-oriented nature of VB.NET. That is the first place you should start reading. Try this link:

http://startvbdotnet.com/oop/default.aspx

Microsoft also provide two free eBooks for VB.NET, one specifically aimed at upgrading from VB6.

[Newtester]

Many many thanks to Negative0 and jmcilhinney for a good explanation.

[Newtester]

To design web pages do I need to learn ASP NET or just VB NET alone can be used to design web pages and for programming behind the web pages?

once again thanks a lot for all the help and the explanation.

[jmcilhinney]

ASP.NET is a technology, while VB.NET is a language. Microsoft Web applications are all ASP.NET applications, but they can be written in different languages, including VB.NET, just like Windows Forms applications can be written in different languages. Visual Web Developer Express supports VB and C# for creating ASP.NET apps, while for Windows Forms apps there are four Express editions available, each supporting a single language.