[RESOLVED] Learning VB .NET

[Chrissy]

Hi! I currently program in VB 6.0. I am familiar with C & C++ just from classes I had to take in school. From what I understand, VB .NET is similiar in structure to C++ progamming. I would like to learn VB .NET but don't know that much about it. I am assuming VB .NET would allow me to convert my VB 6.0 programs to web based programs? Essentially, I am looking to be able to create web based programs that make calls and updates to an Oracle database. Would VB .NET be the way I should go, or should I look into other more powerful WEB languages?

In looking for classes, I saw one that refers to Visual Basic 2005. Is this different than VB .NET or just another name for it?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.

Chrissy

[Shaggy Hiker]

VB2005 is the current version of VB.NET. The original version started as VB7, which was changed to VB.NET (the dev team at MS was the VB7 team, though) for release. This is sometimes called VB2002, also. VB2003 was the first upgrade from 2002, and went from framework 1.0 to framework 1.1. VB2005 was the next version, and uses framework 2.0. Clear as mud?

There is an upgrade wizard from VB6 to .NET, but it generally sucks rocks. I think the upgrade wizard from VB6 to 2005 actually works better than the one to 2003, because 2005 re-introduced some features from VB6, so the conversion path is easier to follow.

The big thing about .NET is that it is OO, which does make is somewhat more like C++, but also means that upgrading from VB6 is not always a good idea. While an upgrade would work, the move is an excellent time to re-think the design into a more class based, OO style design. Classes help with re-use, and encapsulating functionality with the relevant data, which can make some tasks much easier. However, you also get to maintain your current knowledge of VB syntax, since 6 and .NET are not all that much different in wording. Alternatively, you could move to C#, which would be C/C++ syntax in a .NET environment.

There's my insight.

[Chrissy]

Thank you. Just want to clear something up because I unfortunately am not all that savy when it comes to web apps. If I program in VB.NET, will that give me everything I need to make a Web application?

[Pasvorto]

You could also investigate using ASP.NET

I think it is designed for web apps. I have never used it, though.

[RobDog888]

If your VB 6 apps are ActiveX Document projects then it may be able to convert them but I highly doubt it. Which version of VB.NET do you have? Express, Standard, Pro, etc.?

If you have Express then you also need to download Visual Web Developer as just VB.NET Express does not have web app support.

With ASP.NET you can write a webapp with the code behind in either C# or VB.NET.

[Chrissy]

Thanks for your input.

I have not purchased any software yet. I wanted to do some background checking first. I am going to try and get my company to pay for the class and the software. Just wanted to hear everyones opinions first.

A while ago, I got a standard version of VB.Net to just play around with. I got discuraged though because it was so different than VB 6.0. But I would like to revisit it again because there are a lot of things I would like to move to the web and this seems like the way to go.

[RobDog888]

The Express editions are free. Download VB.NET 2005 Express, Visual Web Developer Express and SQL Express too and you should have evverything you need to develop web apps in .NET. Plus there are training videos on the ms site for assistance in learning.

[Chrissy]

Cool! I will do that. Thank you so much!

[Shaggy Hiker]

One other thing:

I spent lots of time in VB6, and really liked it. When I first looked at .NET, I, too, was a bit dismayed by the differences, and set it aside for about a year. I eventually got into it for PDA programming....and now I would never go back. There is a bit of a learning curve, because it is somewhat different, however, it is not completely different, and it is much better in many ways.

Take the plunge.