Vb, Vb.Net, C++ or C#???

im quite confused...id like to learn how to program, but i dont know what language i should learn...i have some experience in programming, i know how to program in PHP with mysql databases...
which language do you recommend? what are their differences? what are each one best for??

 

Visual basic 6 is good for simplicity, but .Net is newer and is slightly more powerful and harder to use. C++ is a hard start, but it will help you the most in the end.

 

Visual Basic 6:
Pro's
Lots of tutorials and people to help you in this forum.

Con's
This program is 10 years old now and is getting outdated, it is still able to do pretty much everything the newer programming languages can, but it is just slower and harder to do them.

Visual Basic .NET (2005/2008):
Pro's
Up to date Visual Basic, very easy to learn and use.

Con's
Slightly slower than other languages.

C++/C#:
I don't really know much about these languages, you will need to wait for someone else to reply, but i know they are very powerfull compared to Visual Basic and run quite fast if coded well.

 

C++ is a personal preference of mine.
I use C# for prototyping things, so it isn't bad to learn C# or Java, either.

Covey, the C# most people refer to nowadays is the one that is included as part of the .Net platform. This means that regardless of whether or not the language chosen is Visual Basic 2008, J# 2008, C# 2008 and so on, the end result will be almost identical because of the fact that in the end, the program is compiled in to the same byte code; it is compiled under the .Net platform.

Despite what people are biased towards, the newer .Net languages are faster in execution than the older Visual Basic. Of course, C and C++ will always be infinitely powerful than any of these languages, as this is what the majority of these languages were written in.

The choice is also depending on what you want to use the language for. For instance, Battlefield 2, which is a very popular shooter, was written mostly in Python. I have my own theories, but as for the original incentive for the developer to use Python, I cannot provide you with an accurate reason.

 

I love BF2
Swan do you play it?

 

Not as of the moment. I have played it, and I have an illegal copy somewhere gathering dust, but even if I were to install it I can't play online.

In the end it is all personal preference. While I would gladly forget any previous knowledge I had of Visual Basic, it once upon a time may have been very useful. I rather enjoy using C++, and C# is just easy to manipulate when need be, so they are probably two of my favoured languages. I know a Python developer, who uses Python because he loves to use Python. I know an internet developer who programs for the internet because he likes doing so, et cetera.

Though it isn't the fastest option, the best way of doing things from your current position is to try each major language that comes to mind, learn the basics at least, and if it appeals to you continue it. Though I do have my reservations about some languages ...

 

well ill try to start with C++ since i read in many website, and in this post, that its one of the best. maybe its a little difficult to start but it's ok. I know how to do many things in 3d studio max, and if i use it with C++ i think ill do many cool things.
After that, maybe i start learning Vb.Net, since once i know C++ Vb.Net wont be so difficult sinc e it isnt so different, and i will have lots of programing experience.
Thank you guys, you really helped me

 

Learn .net then C++ won't be soo difficult straight up.

If you master the .net Syntax you won't have such a steep learning curve to adapt to the C++ Sytnax.

 

ok ill try that way then ...ive been searching some things about this languages and they are quite similar...

 

There is no such thing as the ".Net syntax" you speak of. By "learn .Net" I am assuming you mean learn the classes and features, as .Net is not a language in itself (saying such to someone wanting to learn C++ is arbitrary anyway).

There is a syntax relative to each language under the .Net platform, but that is completely different. The Visual Basic syntax was adopted from BASIC and had added to it many an improvement. The C# syntax was undoubtedly developed from the C languages and Java, and the C++ CLR (C++ .Net to put it another way) was taken directly from C++ (with slight modifications).

In other words, it doesn't have anything whatsoever to do with the syntax if you intend on using C++. The thing that makes .Net 'easier' than the standard language is the tools, classes and various other additions that come with the .Net platform. Such includes the GUI designer, the many features of the IDE itself, and of course, the classes associated with the .Net platform.

To put it simply, the "version" of C++ included in the Microsoft .Net platform is basically a copy of the language which has then been modified to accomodate the .Net libraries.

Personally I'd find it more useful for you to learn core C++ first, though it is considered "hard", anything is learnable. My father for example, learnt C as one of his first computer languages.

 

That was rather pointless

 

I was assuming you were talking about the syntax of a language (how it is coded), and that you were referring to the .Net platform as a language in itself. Such assumptions can be forgiven, can they not? From my experience (Also from the definition in a book written by a certified professional), this particular use of the word "syntax" generally just refers to the way a language is coded.

 

well u are confusing me lol...ill see what to start with...

 

Excellent point.
When i think of the word syntax, i think of the general code structuring. Like If statements etc.

 

I apologise most sincerely for confusing you with my discussion with Covey ... Well, not so sincerely, but a bit of nice language can't hurt

I'm assuming you've decided upon what you're going to do, so I'll leave it at that.

 

no problem, and yes i decided to start with C++...i already started

 

I know alot of VB6, Learning VB.NET, And C++ i know very little.

But i would tell a new person to go for VB.net
And if you have expeirience with VB6, use it.