What language to move to?

[chrisj206]

I've learnt VB, in a very unorganised way. However i always knew enough 'to get the job done' but not to feel confident.

Currently i'm working on my final program for my own use, then i plan to switch to a new language.

VB allowed me to create windows applications rapidly, which is great.
However it is no help with regaurds to web programs.

Ideally i'd like to be able to create software to run on windows, and also create web applications that i can have on my site.

Is there a language that gives me the "best of both" or would it be a case of, the worse of each

Should i therefore learn two languages, if so what do you suggest? Java and VB.NET? Java and C#? Etc.

Look forward to the feedback,
Thank you.

[szlamany]

Look into Silverlight - we are about to in my shop

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=500557

[Hack]

My vote would be VB.NET for Windows applications and ASP.NET for web applications.

[Kasracer]

C# or C++ if you're feeling adventurous

[Doogle]

You could try out some of the options by using the Express editions available for free from Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/)

[chrisj206]

I've downloaded the trial of Visual basic 2008, along with the MSDN.

Can i produce(Compile and sell) software whilst using the trial?
I've decided to quit VB6 and move into .NET.

With reguards to ASP.NET - Will knowing VB.NET help me at all?
I'm currently reading "A Visual Basic .NET how to program" and hope to learn ASP to create a web version of my software too.

Thanks

[chemicalNova]

Ditch web development all together!

chem

[chrisj206]

lol why ? I see websites as superior to desktop programs that must be downloaded etc, atleast when it comes to getting the maximum number of people to use the product.

[chemicalNova]

lol why ? I see websites as superior to desktop programs that must be downloaded etc, atleast when it comes to getting the maximum number of people to use the product.

..as opposed to a webpage/activeX controls/objects that... aren't downloaded?

chem

[chrisj206]

Dammit, my knowledge is far to small to win such a debate.

However, to be able to simply "login" and have functions such as those at Soundpedia.com (Playing music) is much superior (and mobile) to downloading winamp, installing it, playing music, taking the installer to someone elses house etc.

I love that element, which can't be beated by 'offline' software unfortunatly.

So i guess ill grab a ASP book

[chemicalNova]

Switch to C and get into PDA programming

chem

[szlamany]

Really - take a look at Silverlight

[RhinoBull]

Look into Silverlight - we are about to in my shop

Silverlight is not a programming language - it's rather a cross-platform multimedia plugin.
If someone isn't much interested in media then there is a very little use for it.
I work for a media company and so far we are scratching our heads off as to how it could be utilized...

@chrisj206:

if you're after desktop development then look at .Net technology, if you like web development more then I'd choose Java simply because it's truly platform independent.

[szlamany]

I'm taking it that it's for delivery of rich internet app's - the media is the eye-candy to sell it.

I'm certainly not an expert.

I have yet to see how it delivers VB/FW 3.0 content to a browser - no time yet to go there...

[RhinoBull]

The catch is that you may spend lots of time to develop something that's really cool but if your potential user doesn't install that plugin all of your work was basically done for nothing.

[penagate]

I've said it again and again... you don't 'move' to a language. That implies that there is a 'best' language, which is not the case.

Use the right tool for the job. If you know it, great. If you don't, start learning.

[penagate]

With reguards to ASP.NET - Will knowing VB.NET help me at all?

Yes. ASP.NET is not a language, it's a server-side programming platform. You can write your code in VB.NET. (In fact, you can write it in any .NET-compatible language.)

I see websites as superior to desktop programs that must be downloaded etc, atleast when it comes to getting the maximum number of people to use the product.

Neither is superior. Both have their place.

[chrisj206]

Dam, i need to learn so much more.

I've dropped VB6, and moved to VB .NET now - So far im enjoying it, i love the little features (Tabbed windows for code/GUI, Treeview structure to the modules/classes so you can hide the code you dont want to see).

What language must one learn to be able to create PDA software, as id love to create my program for PDA's also.

Thanks all

[szlamany]

We did our PDA software with VS 2005 - using VB.

I hear from the MS people on the slow-chat last week that VS 2008 has fastly improved PDA development - better emulator support and so on.

It's really neat to develop for PDA's using an emulator - the PDA "image" appears on your workstation or laptop screen and works just like a real pocket PC...

[Hack]

What language must one learn to be able to create PDA software, as id love to create my program for PDA's also.

It is a popular subject. Take a look at all of these.

[chemicalNova]

PellesC is what I used to develop for my extremely early model PocketPC.

Not sure if its still around.. that Pelles guy was extremely active and helpful on his forums.

chem