Hey, i've got a question regarding .NET

[VBnewbie2002]

i'm a sophmore in high school and i'm taking my first year of computer programming. I am learning some visual basic this year, and java the next two years. We are currently learning VB on microsoft's vb 6.0 program. I want to get some software so I can practise at home. I was looking at prices, and i found that the 6.0 vb version is like 500 bucks or something but i can get the .NET VB only software for 100(not including visual studio, just visual basic .NET cos thats all i need i think). But i was wondering if .NET VB and VB 6.0 are to different for me to use both, 6.0 in school and .net at home. If the code is basically the same it shouldn't be a problem to pick up the interface of the new software, but I thought i read the code was changed somewhat. So if anyone could reply and let me know if it would be wrong to buy the vb .NET if i was programming on the vb 6.0 software at school or if that would fine. Thanks

[CoMMiE]

Hi
Vb.net is a whole new thing compare to vb 6.0, the only things that remains the same is the syntax and some naming convention

[VBnewbie2002]

ok thanks..hm

[hellswraith]

Since your a student, you can get student prices on MS software. Here are a couple links.
For VB6 Professional:
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...=win&qk_srch=&

For the whole Visual Studio.Net:
http://www.academicsuperstore.com/ma...=win&qk_srch=&

You can find more places that offer academic software by searching for 'academic software' on a search engine.

Also, since your in high school, there is a possibility that you won't qualify for some, just have a teacher hook you up in that case. They are qualified to buy em. Just give the money to him/her and let them order it.

[VBnewbie2002]

ok thanks that was really helpful

[SoftwareMaker]

I was looking at prices, and i found that the 6.0 vb version is like 500 bucks or something but i can get the .NET VB only software for 100(not including visual studio, just visual basic .NET cos thats all i need i think).

You will find it very difficult to code VB6 on a notepad therefore you need the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to help you (Visual Basic 6). IDE is a tool that minimizes your coding and development time BUT it can also make it too easy for you to learn programming as it hides too much things from you. VB6 can be bought individually from VC++8 or Visual InterDev. However, VB.NET itself is FREE. The framework and the VB.NET compiler (vbc.exe) is free and downloadable from MS (think of the framework as a runtime for all .NET Languages and applications). The Visual Studio .NET, however must be purchased for its IDE. You cannot separate VB.NET from VC++7 or C# as they all share the same common IDE and runtime. Am I confusing you already. LOL. My point is that VB.NET (without IDE) shouldnt cost you 100. It is free !

If you think you are up to par, code VB.NET on notepad (which is free)

But i was wondering if .NET VB and VB 6.0 are to different for me to use both, 6.0 in school and .net at home.

VB and VB.NET is COMPLETELY different in the sense that VB.NET is created from scratch. and the runtime framework is all different. VB6 depends on their own version of runtime while VB.NET depends on the .NET Framework which is the runtime. You'd mentioned that you are gonna pick up Java soon, you would have no problems understanding VB.NET or even C# then as they are centered around Object-Oriented Programming Technology which VB6, sadly isnt and is therefore rather limited to small scale development and not for rather large, enterprise development.

I hope this helps. Its rare to find a student willing to fork out some money on his/her own to practise at home.

Good luck to you and happy learning programming.