Movin' on up!

Hokay!

I think I've got the hang of this VB mallarkey...I can do pretty much everything I want to in it, and the stuff I can't...I can figure out thanks to this cool website & BB.

So...

Now I wanna learn Visual C++
Where's the bestest web site for learning it? I don't want an absolute beginner site that teaches the wonders of programming...I know that already! I'm looking for a site (or book for that matter) aimed at accomplished VB programmers that will help to make the change...

Perhaps a "Visual C++ 6 for VB Programmers" type site/book...

Maybe there's a "http://www.vc-world.net"?

Any ideas?

[Sam Finch]

I don't know what all the fuss is with C++. The only advantage of C++ compared to VB is that C++ is a tiny bit faster, and the difference is pretty irrelevent when you consider how fast computers are getting, and by the time you've learnt C++ you could learn how to get round the slow bits in VB. And C++ is much harder to learn.

If you can do everything you want in VB why do you want to learn a new language anyway?

Do you know how to use the API and subclassing, what about Direct X. I'd learn about these before you start on C++ because they show you what VB can do and it's a good start to some of the stuff you need to know.

I might have got you wrong and you might know all this stuff already (Although I've never met a Scouser who's modest about his abilities) If you do then yeah start C++, my tactic when buying books is just to go to a bookshop and start reading, if it's good then but it.

If you do know everything then i've posted loads of questions that haven't been answered, go down the list and answer them.

Smug bluddy cockney!!

I'm under the impression that the Win API functions are designed for use primarily in Visual C++ (not VB, though I hate to say it!)...

DirectX? Maybe tomorrow. I'm tired. Worldn't be suprised if the DirectX API was written mainly for the Visual C++ programmer too..

Why else do I want to learn it?

It's something new.
There's a lot of job adverts for Visual C++ programmers (ok, ok...so there's a few for VB aswell...I admit it.)
"I'm a Visual C++ Guru" sounds better than "I can do basic programming".
Cos it came with my copy of Visual Studio 6 and I might aswell learn how to use it.
Cos I wanna make standalone programs.
Cos I wanna make DOS programs...not convinced Visual C++ will help here...but hey...it's on the "New Project" dialog!!
Cos I wanna know what "VOID" means...and why it's "OnOK;" not "Unload Me".

Who said I knew everything?
Ok, I implied it...maybe I blagged a bit...so sue me!

[SteveCRM]

There are some good books out there. For instance, the Dummies series, that doesn't say "Programming can make programs!" but it does tell you beginnings of the programming. (I am not totally sure if this applies to VC++ as well.) Go to http://www.amazon.com/ and browse a little. You'll find some good stuff there. Good luck!

[Sam Finch]

I will admit that C++ is the way forward for DOS based programs, The API was designed for VC++ but you can use it just as well with VB. I didn't say don't learn C++, but don't start dismissing VB just because it has the word BASIC in it. It does depend on what you want to program, if you want to program games C++ is probably better, especially for fast realtime games that don't depent on heavy use of windows. The reason I warned you off C++ is that I Made a similar decision about it then changed my mind because it takes so long to get started. Learning the API and Subclassing through VB is a good way to learn how windows works before you throw yourself in the deep end with C++.

By the way I'm not actually an expert on these matters, I just talk like one. If you've got visual studio you might as well give it a go, it's not like you have to pay extra for it.

Don't Go for the dummies series or Complete idiots guides though, in my inexepert opinion they're a big pile of Crap.

[Bob Baddeley]

I'm in the same boat as MatthewRalston. I wrote a program for use on the internet, but can't distribute it because VB requires so many .dlls that 3 megs for a 200 kb program is unreasonable to anyone who would download it. That's why I need VC++. I want my stuff smaller and faster. some people have pointed to codeguru.com

Don't Go for the dummies series or Complete idiots guides though, in my inexepert opinion they're a big pile of Crap.

Very big . Good reply! LOL.

Glad you made it a bit light hearted at the end there...was thinking this might turn in to a big argument. Fight! Fight! Fight! Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!

Don't get me wrong either...I'm hooked on VB and don't forsee giving it up in the near future...but I just wanna fiddle. I like fiddling...

Mmmm...Bob...I've used codeguru for vb stuff plenty of times in the past...never really looked at their c-section.

Sorry, bad joke.

[joey o.]

Hey,you gave me a great idea! Could someone out there take time out from writing their OS's to make a VB to C++ translator? This would be the cure to all my problems and I wouldn't have to look forward to learning C++ for the simple reason of shrinking up my files.(Speed seems to be irrelevent with 700+ MZ chips out there).I think employers look at C++ as a "Payed your Dues" type language:Learn it and they'll welcome you into the club. But good luck to you in your new C++ world, come back and visit sometime.

When did this "Senior Member" come about then? I'm sure that a few months ago there were only "Junior Members" and "Members"...is there more to come...can I look forward to becoming "Guru" or "Super Coder"?

Actually, scrub that last one...it sounds like washing powder.

Ah, well...

Mmmm...700MHz chips!

I bought a 750 Athlon yesterday...
Rebuilt me machine from scratch with a new m/b and hdd too...

It runs like a dream! I stuck Win98 & Win2000 on it and I've never seen my pc more stable...

I had 4 copies or VB open, 1 VC++, IE5 (showing VB-World of course) and a minimized Quake 3 all running at the same time...no crashes, no messages....mmm...I had me telly running too, now I come to think of it that used to crash win98 all the time...but not yesterday!

That VB to VC program sounds like a good idea...any takers?
I've used a similar thing before though and it didn't work very well...admittedly that was converting VB programs to "REALBasic" for the Mac...anybody ever used that program...not bad if you ever use macs...

[OneSource]

Joey, this is a really good idea

Could someone out there take time out from writing their OS's to make a VB to C++ translator?

Maybe some of those people out there who post looking for projects to take on can take this one on!

I'm gonna post that as a new thread!

[Sacred_knight]

Try this website for free online books for C++, VC++, VB, networks, internet,.....

Also has "recommended" books to buy.

www.informit.com

Select your topic and then select Free Library

Some free online books are dated but still useful.

[Paul282]

Screw the VB -> VC++ converter, waste of time if ever I heared it, just write your app as an activeX control and open it in VC++....

What we REALLY need someone to write is a Static-linker for VB. I wonder what link.exe that comes with VB does?