Newbie scratching his head

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Guest

I've been a designer for years and am now getting into development. However
I'm a bit confused as to which language to learn first. Visual Basic looks
easy to learn but I've read C# is much more powerful. Which would you
recommend I start out with?
Also, what are the real differences between the different languages (VB, C#,
C+, C++, etc)?
Thanks
 
This discussion has been had over and over again on these groups. If
you search these groups, you should be able to find many comments. The
majority of them seem to indicate that it is better to learn the
classes of the .Net framework and not necessarily a specific
programming language.

Generally speaking, VB.Net and C# are equivalent in terms of features.
There are a few syntax niceties in C# that don't exist in VB.Net and
vice versa. C# has the ability to work with unsafe code which is
normally not needed, although there are some specific tasks for which
it is suited. I write primarily business apps so I have never had to
use unsafe code.

If you can learn both languages, do, otherwise, pick the one whose
syntax seems easier to you. Once you know the .Net framework, language
will matter little.
 
I would recommend that you start with C or C#. C is a procedural
language without OOP benefits. C++ is an advanced and highly powerful
language but is not the most productive in my experience. C# is both
productive and powerful and more standard in syntax. It combines many
of the syntax elements of C and C++ and makes it simpler and more
productive for MOST task over C++.

I think you will be BEST served with learning C#. However, if you've
never programmed then I recommend you start with learning either BASIC
(not .NET Basic) and C and then move to C#.

I disagree that you should focus on the framework. Frameworks change
but a good foundation in programming will serve you into the future
even if you don't get immediate results.

Basically differences and this is subjective

C++ = Most powerful but not the most productive. It can be difficult
even for experts. It is overkill for most things. May be desireable
for portability.

C# = Very powerful and productive. May occasionally not have power
that C++ has. Generally considered superior over C++ in .NET similar
to Java.

VB.NET = Functionally similar to C# with mostly syntactical
differences. Not very standard for people coming from C, C++, or even
Java background. Very few benefits over C#. Created for visual basic
programmers.
Curtis
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VB - it follows in a more traditional English based work flow and for the
begginer is easier to return to an read (you don't have to remember all the
cryptic symbols that C# uses) -- in VS 2005 VB and C# do exactly the same,
neither is "more powerful" than the other.
 
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