C# vs VB.Net (yet another one...)

[dee-u]

Aside from speed (I've heard C# is faster than VB.Net), what are the other mitigating factors that would encourage one to learn C# over VB.Net?

[StrangerInBeijing]

not again!!!!

[dee-u]

yes, again...

[StrangerInBeijing]

OK, I'll just give you my 2 cents:
before you worry about which is better to use, make sure you know what the Framework is all about. What is the FCL, CLR, CTS, GC, blah blah blah.
Then dig into some MSIL, just do it!

THEN see if you still have a problem deciding which is best yourself. Ask that question here, and you just start a mud-fight.

I choose C#. Only because I allready used VB for some time, and it will be easier to move from C# (syntax wise) to C++ and Java. So my motivation is all about creating a path to enable me to learn some new stuff.

I'm going to unsubscribe from this thread now...I allready know what is coming...

[dee-u]

Actually I prefer VB.Net over C# because I came from VB6.0 though I have experience with C/C++ also which I think is somewhat similar to the syntax of C#... What annoys me at times are when I read in newspapers that some company's prefer programmers with C# knowledge rather than VB.Net...

And to think that they are just both compiled in the same MSIL...

[StrangerInBeijing]

well, imagine you are the boss, and knows little about these stuff, and you hear how great .Net is and that C# is specifically created for the .Net. Who you gonna hire?

[NoteMe]

Reasons:
- It is a tiny bit faster in some areas.
- C# is MS flag ship. It gets the newest feautures the first.
- It has C syntax, (this can both be good and bad)
- C# programmers are in general (or at least used to) be paid more.
- It is MS prefered language.

ANd probably some other reasons.

But then again. Someone that loves VB.NET can probably write a just as long list on why to use VB.NET in stead of C#. So in the end...it doesn't matter what I think. And an other thing. If you first know C#, then you more or less know VB.NET too. It is just a few syntax changes, and some limitations and you are there. No big deal. So go with the language you feel most comfortable with, or the language your teacher or boss says you should learn, and it all should end in a good way for you too..


- ØØ -

[NoteMe]

Actually I prefer VB.Net over C# because I came from VB6.0 though I have experience with C/C++ also which I think is somewhat similar to the syntax of C#... What annoys me at times are when I read in newspapers that some company's prefer programmers with C# knowledge rather than VB.Net...

And to think that they are just both compiled in the same MSIL...

On the inside C# is more like VB.NET then C++....


- ØØ -

[dee-u]

Reasons:
- It is a tiny bit faster in some areas.
- C# is MS flag ship. It gets the newest feautures the first.
- It has C syntax, (this can both be good and bad)
- C# programmers are in general (or at least used to) be paid more.
- It is MS prefered language.

-Tiny bit? Is it tiny enough to be negligible? Is VB.Net a tiny bit faster in some areas also?
-Never learned about it but why is C# the MS Flag Ship?
-What if it has C Syntax?
-Why is it if VB.Net programmers could also do what C# programmers can do?
-Why is it the MS preferred language?

Thanks for taking time...

[NoteMe]

-Tiny bit? Is it tiny enough to be negligible? Is VB.Net a tiny bit faster in some areas also?

Yes, in most cases it is. Non of those languages are buildt for speed anyway.

-Never learned about it but why is C# the MS Flag Ship?

It is their prefeared language. A lot of their tools and so on are buildt using C# these days. It is an easy to use language, and you get results very fast.

-What if it has C Syntax?

? C# has C syntax...what do you mean..

-Why is it if VB.Net programmers could also do what C# programmers can do?

What do you mean? They can and they can't. Both languages are buildt on the .NET framework. And in some way or an other a VB.NET programmer can do what a C# programmer can do, even if it doesn't have all the same language feautures.

-Why is it the MS preferred language?

All ready answered.


- ØØ -

[dee-u]

It is their prefeared language. A lot of their tools and so on are buildt using C# these days. It is an easy to use language, and you get results very fast.

I thought C was more difficult to learn than VB then why is C# an easy language?

? C# has C syntax...what do you mean..

You listed it as a reason on why one would rather choose C# over VB.Net hence I am asking what's the significance if it has C Syntax?

What do you mean? They can and they can't. Both languages are buildt on the .NET framework. And in some way or an other a VB.NET programmer can do what a C# programmer can do, even if it doesn't have all the same language feautures.

Are there any things that C# programmers can do that VB.Net can't do? If none then why are they being paid more?

[NoteMe]

I thought C was more difficult to learn than VB then why is C# an easy language?

Yeah C is more difficult, but don't confuse C with C#. THe only thing they have in common is the C look alike syntax.

You listed it as a reason on why one would rather choose C# over VB.Net hence I am asking what's the significance if it has C Syntax?

Some like C syntax some like Basic syntax. I like C syntax, hence I wrtoe it up. Hence my comment behind that line too. Read it again.

Are there any things that C# programmers can do that VB.Net can't do? If none then why are they being paid more?

[/QUOTE]


Thats a long storry (that doesn't have a 100% answer). You can read about it here if you have the time:
http://www.fawcette.com/vsm/2003_07/...tments/ednote/


- ØØ -

[wossname]

C# is better because...

* On average C# is around 2% faster than VB.Net (from my own benchmarking experience).
* You can use pointers (Major bonus imho)
* its more strict than VB.net (even with VB's Option Strict On)
* It looks nicer () and there are better looping and parameter semantics.

If speed is important then you can really make C# a lot faster than the nearest VB.net version, pointers are a great optimisation feature.

[StrangerInBeijing]

learn them all!
...oh hell, what am I doing here??????

[NoteMe]

learn them all!
...oh hell, what am I doing here??????

Hehheehe...true though. But that was kind of my point too. If you know one you know them all.


- ØØ -

[StrangerInBeijing]

Heck, I don't know why I am doing this...

Read this (quite good) forum discussion on the differences between C# and VB, and why C# is prefered
Also, attached is the whitepaper for differences between the two languages.

Hack, give me 100 extra points for even considering to reply again to one of these! My ego, my ego!

[dee-u]

Thanks people for taking time... Just want to ask this 'last' question: Is C# always faster than VB.Net (2003 and 2005 versions)? And in what areas does it out-speed VB.Net? Let's say if I write an app in C# does it necessarily mean than the app is faster compared to its equivalent made in VB.Net (with all the optimizations in both versions)?

[DevGrp]

Speed is not factor. Knowing both is benificial to you. Once you get past the syntax they are basically the same. I know both but I prefer C#. VB is too wordy and when you I'm reading someone else's code it can become very tedious. Its like reading a book.