Learning VB?

[C0LZ4]

Hi! Im a guy 16 years old, live in sweden (and my english sux)

I want to learn the whole VB 6 EnterPrise edition / Proffesional Edition
i have heard that its easier then VB 2008 .net
is that true!?

Ok, im a bit bored now when im at the computer, i've stop playing MapleStory, Counter-Strike and that, cuz its boring!
And i want to learn me more about computers and PROGRAMMING!
(i know C++ is good to make program in, but i've heard its HARD)

Thats why i choose to learn me VB!
The first problem, is that i don't know how im gonna start.
and the other problem is HOW im gonna learn me, like if its any good free guides on webpages, movies or whatever.. (i've try google alot, but when i find something, example about an email sender, then i often find sites there i see the sourze codes)



I GOT MUCH TIME TO SPEND TO VB! so please help me with the start anyway!

[Atheist]

You should defenitly go for VB.Net, as VB6 is kind of outdated.
VB.Net also comes in free editions, so you dont need to buy any software to use it.

[C0LZ4]

oh ok, but also, whats easiers then!?
i've anyway download it illegal

It is not possible to make a poll in this forum? ;P so i can make a poll what i should try to learn me mostly..

And someone got a nice guide site or something? there i can start to learn me about codes and the program..

[Atheist]

You shouldnt be flashing with having downloaded VB6 illegaly, as its...illegal.
I dont understand people wanting to become programmers, that steals software that other programmers have worked hard with. Would you like your future software to be pirated? You should think about that.

Anyway, why are you so concerned about 'whats easier'? VB.Net can do everything VB6 can, and more (and in MY opinion, in an easier way). Microsoft has dropped support for VB6, Im pretty sure you can get VB6 apps working on Vista, but what about the next version of windows? Wouldnt it be a waste of time learning VB6 if the next version of Windows wont support it?
Also, MSDN contains a tremendeous amount of documentation of the .Net framework, you'll find everything you could possibly need there.

Have you tried googling for: "Whatever language you want to learn" + "tutorial" ?

Edit: Oh and VB.Net vs VB6 has been discussed more times than my total post count. You should try a search and see what people think.

[C0LZ4]

Oh ok. also my internet friend named Andrew, live in New Zeeland (or how to spell it)

He is verry good at VB 6, he was be4 learning me abit in VB 6 over MSN. but later i got tired and wanted play games, and now he got not so much time anymore.


But, i think anyway i'll choose VB .net then, i know its easier to make MenuStrips, ContexMenuStrip ETC.
But i just heard from someone that its easier codes in VB 6 :S whatever, i think i'll choose VB .net then.


and no, i haven't search at that..

But i just wondered if someone know a good site they're recommend.
or just can make a fast good search and find a nice site there i can learn me more about VB .net




BTW, should i then start new thread or someting? cuz i will choose to learn me more about VB .net
and this forum is VB 6.

[Atheist]

Try googling for VB.Net tutorials, or searching this site for VB.Net tutorials.
If you ever wonder how a specific thing is done, or wonder how a specific class/method works, you should search it on MSDN

The best way of learning a language is to think of a small project application, and try to create it, you're always free to ask questions in the VB.Net section if you get stuck.

And yeah, if you're settling for VB.net, you should post in the .Net section

PS. I'd love to hear from whoever told you VB6 is easier, why he/she thinks so.

[TownProg]

I agree with the idea that best learning experiences come from real life experiences. Put yourself a task and begin searching for the ways you can accomplish it. However, it is always good to have a book, that contains some reference and examples, so it can help you in some tasks.

The main advantage of Visual Basic 6 is that applications created with this language don't require .NET Framework and can run basically on any Windows platform (except the older ones like Windows 3.11 and older) without any additional software needed.

The advantage of .NET is that there is much easier to design graphical user interface and with the new IntelliSense technology you can't make so much mistakes in the application code.

Speaking about me, I use both of these platforms, plus Java, because only in this way I can get experience in working with different platforms and languages.

Good Luck!

[Atheist]

The main advantage of Visual Basic 6 is that applications created with this language don't require .NET Framework and can run basically on any Windows platform (except the older ones like Windows 3.11 and older) without any additional software needed.

The number of PCs with the .Net framework installed is continously increasing, its so common these days so it shouldnt be a problem, specially as Vista has several versions of the framework installed by default.
Remember that VB6 applications also requires files to be present on the system in order to run. According to Microsoft, these the basic depencies:
Asycfilt.dll
Comcat.dll
Msvbvm60.dll
Oleaut32.dll
Olepro32.dll
Stdole2.tlb

[TownProg]

But the default dependencies for Visual Basic 6 are all installed by default in the Windows operating systems family, at least in Windows XP/2000/98. Speaking about Vista with pre-installed .NET Framework - not everyone has Vista yet.

[si_the_geek]

Not all versions/editions of Windows 98 and 2000 have the VB6 runtime (aka "framework") installed.. and those that do have old versions (which have bugs), so cannot really be trusted.

Even if the runtime is pre-installed, it is still a very good idea to properly install VB6 programs anyway, and is needed if you add any References or Components.


With .Net that is less of an issue, as in the vast majority of cases you just need the right framework installed.. which admittedly is larger (does that really matter these days, especially as it is once per computer instead of once per program?), but is much simpler from a developers point of view (as you don't need to determine components and plan & test their installation).

[TownProg]

I agree with what you are saying, but there is a little issue. I mainly develop in Java, Visual Basic 6 and Visual Studio 2008. I test my applications on Windows XP/2000. Java Runtime Environment, required for my Java applications runs well on Windows XP/2000. My Visual Basic 6 applications also run great on Windows XP/2000. But .NET Framework 3.5 (which is required for applications created in Visual Studio 2008) doesn't run on Windows 2000 (however it runs on Windows XP). So, if someone will have to distribute a .NET 3.5 application, there will be a special requirement: only for Windows XP and later, which is not a good thing.

However, I am sure I will use Visual Studio 2008, Visual Basic 6 and Java for a very long time and I find great advantages in all mentioned platforms.

[si_the_geek]

I'm not sure how (you'll need to ask in our .Net forum), but with Visual Studio 2008 you can specify which framework you want to use - you aren't forced to use 3.5.

[RobDog888]

Corect Si. With 2008 you can target 2.0, 3.0, or 3.5 framework versions. So there should be no issues of deployment with 2008.

Thread Moved

[dilettante]

I'm anything but a fan of .Net but even I'd suggest there is little point in looking at VB6 if you are starting out. I'll even go so far as to say there are few decent alternatives to C# or VB.Net left for a new Windows programmer to get started with.

While I have a thin hope this may change someday I don't expect it, and for today and tomorrow nobody can ignore the .Net languages when programming for Windows.

[dilettante]

But the default dependencies for Visual Basic 6 are all installed by default in the Windows operating systems family, at least in Windows XP/2000/98. Speaking about Vista with pre-installed .NET Framework - not everyone has Vista yet.

All of those and more are installed by default in Vista, and are even protected system files you can't install over without going through hoops.

Of course many more of the standard sets of VB6 components are not present in Vista and still require deployment.

[Hack]

And i want to learn me more about computers and PROGRAMMING!
(i know C++ is good to make program in, but i've heard its HARD)

Most things in life that are worth doing are not easy....the harder they are, the more sense of accomplishment you have when you have done them. Never, ever, let the difficulty factor prevent you from pursuing a goal. In fact, I find the diffculty factor more challenging.

[RobDog888]

Plus, you wouldnt write every profram in C++ as you need to learn multiple languages so you can use the best language for each and every program.