I've used VB 6 casually (I once used VB 1 extensively!) and like it. I've used VC++ version 6 quite a bit and hate it.

In VB 6 the GUI layout tools are truly integrated with the code development process.

When I first encountered VC++, I assumed it would be like VB, but with C++ replacing Basic as the coding language. Instead, it was a cruel hoax and an evil marketing trick. It was just a half-assed resource editor, loosely coupled to C code. It made a flashy demo but it was not "VB, but with C++."

Now I'm looking at a situation I think VB might be the right tool for the job. But I'm concerned by well-publicized issues about VB .NET not being compatible with earlier versions. This is just a coding issue, right? Backward code compatibility with VB 6 is not an issue as this is would be fresh development. But VB-6-like visual GUI development, and VB-6-like integration of GUI tools and code base, is critical, and the only reason for choosing VB at all.

1) If I liked VB 6 will I like VB .NET?

2) Is Visual C# a cruel hoax like Visual C++? Or is it just like VB but with C# replacing Basic as the coding language?