[RESOLVED] C# or C++ or VB.NET

[03myersd]

I know that straight away you are going to say forget about VB.NET but I have reasons for putting it in the list. I have a comfortable grasp of VB6 and think its quite good for my age (16). But I have decided that I need to learn another language along side it. In a few years I will be learning java at university so I want something similar, but also want something similar to VB6. Since they dont go hand in hand it will have to be as near to between the two as possible.

What I want to know is what language would be best for me and why? Thanks!


Edit: Oh and I know the C's will be harder. (also I did try a search but the search terms weren't long enough)

[Kasracer]

I know that straight away you are going to say forget about VB.NET

Not sure why anyone here would say that especially since this is a VB forum.

What I want to know is what language would be best for me and why? Thanks!

Well, it's hard to say. Personally, C++ is my favorite language. Do I always use it? No. At work I use only C#. While C++ may be faster when running web or windows applications, it takes much longer to develop with.

First you need to make a decision. What's more important: Starting with a familar language or preparing yourself for Java? If it's the former then just go with VB.net. While I prefer C#, you're already familar with VB so it can be a great way to learn .Net and it'll help you if you ever want to learn C#. It the latter (Java), then I would suggest just going out and start learning Java. If you would rather not (or prefer not), then I would say go with C#.

Learning C# will help you grasp many java constructs easily. It'll also help you if you even need to debug or work in C++ since the syntax is similar (though C# is much closer to Java than it is to C++).

[03myersd]

So C# is very similar to java.
C++ is quite similar to VB.NET
VB.NET is about half way?
And VB6 is nothing like java?

I think thats right?

[Shaggy Hiker]

C# is similar to C++, and Java is similar to both. VB.NET is more similar syntactically to VB6 than it is to any of the others, but since it is Object Oriented, and based on the framework, then it is also structurally similar to C#. The keywords will be familiar to you from VB6, but the OO nature will be the major change, and it's a GOOD one. With any of the languages you listed, you will need to learn OO, which may or may not cause you any difficulty at all. If you go into C# or C++ you will be learning OO along with a VERY different syntax. On the other hand, if you will be learning Java, then having sailed the Cs will make it familiar.

I'd go with VB.NET just because you have the VB6 background, will learn the OO that will give you a headstart in Java, and you may well end up working in VB.NET, since it's still a good RAD language.

Ultimately, all programming languages that use a.....uhhhh, what's the word I want.....style? design philosophy? religion? Anyways, whatever it is, they are the same. If you know procedural programming, like VB6, then you just need to learn the syntax for any other procedural language. Flow control, variable types, etc. are all the same between those languages, they just have different names and quirks, but those are basically semantic differences. Similarly, if you learn OO, the major difference between C#, C++, Java, and VB.NET is syntax. Some people might argue that there are more differences, and I would agree in one area: pointers, but pointers are in VB.NET, they are just disguised. Also, ANSI C++ is a HUGE sprawling mass of language rules that can bog you down forever. Ultimately, the underlying structures, though, are all the same: You have loops, branches, etc. A sort is still a sort, even if it is written generic with the C++ STL. If you know OO, then a class is a class and a structure is a structure. In all languages you will use them the same way, except for the differences between languages.

[penagate]

Ultimately, all programming languages that use a.....uhhhh, what's the word I want.....style? design philosophy? religion?

Paradigm.

[03myersd]

So this is reviving the old rule then.

"Learn to program. Then learn a language."

There are still many things I am unfamiliar with. But as has been said why not learn them in a more useful language. I think i'm going to go with VB.NET. Universities are converting from VB6 to .NET. It would be useful to know both. I can learn Java at university then and then if my brain can cope with it, learn C++ or C# at a later date.

As long as the rules are in my head its only a matter of memorising words.

[Hack]

Universities are converting from VB6 to .NET.

So isn't the work place in which you will be seeking employment once you finish so learning .NET can only enhance your job opportunties.

However, there is no reason not to learn both VB.NET and C#

[03myersd]

However, there is no reason not to learn both VB.NET and C#

My intelligence?

I am doing highers this year and advanced highers next year. I dont want to focus too much on computing yet.

[Hack]

I am doing highers this year and advanced highers next year. I dont want to focus too much on computing yet.

Well, to your credit, given this, I would say it isn't so much your intelligence as your existing focus.

I suspect that you could, indeed, learn both languages if there were the direction you wanted to take.

[03myersd]

Thanks. Ill bear that in mind. Would you say its better to learn how do to each thing in both languages (basically learning both at the same time) or say, learn it in VB.NET and then learn it in C# or C++ at a later date?

[Shaggy Hiker]

Ultimately, if you program for a living, you will likely end up in a shop that uses one language or another. If you are learning in multiple languages, that just means that you will have experience in multiple languages and could step into multiple situations. However, there are plenty of situations regardless of which of those languages you choose.

[03myersd]

I've decided on VB.NET as my language. Ordered VS2008. Should arrive in a couple of days. I still have the option to learn any of these languages now.


Thanks for all your help!!

[Kasracer]

I've decided on VB.NET as my language. Ordered VS2008. Should arrive in a couple of days. I still have the option to learn any of these languages now.


Thanks for all your help!!

You ordered VS2008?

I didn't think it went onsale outside of the MSDN subscriptions until Feb 27.