What Language Next

[Paul Anthony]

Good People,

I've been developing desktop/database applications for a small company for a
number of years now using VB6/ADO/VBA/Oracle. My background is in Database
Administration and Applications Development. We have no web requirements
although I am not adverse to having some of our reports/utilities etc run in
that manner. The comapny is about to expand and I will be buying all new
hardware and some new software and hiring a few new people. Obviously I will
be installing later versions of Windows server, Oracle, Desktop OS etc etc.

I am considering changing to .NET at this point. My reasons are 1. To get
better performance from our number crunching apps 2. To keep up with the
latest supported version. 3. I would like to get a bit more flexibility than
is offered by VB6.

The question is "Where now?". It seems that VB.Net is quite different to VB6
so why should I go there? Everybody tells me to go C# but with no good
reason. The Microsoft web site indicates that I should go C++.Net.

I'm lost. Your comments would be welcome.

Thanks in advance

 

[Robert Jacobson]

I agree 100% with Mark. C# and VB.Net are just different variations on the
same language -- they have basically the same performance and the same
functionality. It's comes down to whether you prefer block-style indenting
with VB-style keywords, or curly-bracket indenting with C-style keywords.

Check out these:

Microsoft whitepaper:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308470

E-book from Dan Appleman, "VB.Net or C#... Which to Choose":
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...103-9070582-8558248?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

--Robert Jacobson

 

[William Ryan]

I remember Dan Appleman's remarks about learning VB.NET when you are coming
from VB6. He said, don't worry about syntax, worry about learning the
framework and why/how things work. As far as I'm concerned, that applies to
learning any .NET language. There's enough literature and web sites that
can get you through syntax, understanding things like ADO.NET isn't ADO is
the type of things folks IMHO should focus on.

I'm 100% with you and Mark.