Ok quick question for the I.T. guys in here. Is Visual Basics a programming language worth learning? I ask because I need to choose my courses for the next semester of college. I must choose 2 of the following courses:
- Intro to VB Programming
- Intro to C++
- Advanced Web Programming
Now I absolutly want to take C++. The choice is between web and VB. Also, if I take VB, I can then take an advanced course of VB in the summer. I know the choice really depends on where I want to go in my career, but honestly I'm not 100% sure at the moment (I know I will program, but what type?).
So which would you suggest I take?
VB?
RE: VB?
VB is dead weight and in my opinion not worth learning. The reason being that any programmer that understands C++ or C# can EASILY read VB code within a few minutes. Quite honestly I wouldn't go anywhere near VB as C# has pretty much killed it off.
And I'm not one of those "ONE LANGUAGE TO RULE THEM ALL" type guys.. I use a mix of C, C++, C#, Java, Squirrel, and a few others.
Also there is something I looked at when I was switching around jobs and learning new skills. If there is a position for a developer using VB, or a developer using C# than the C# developer makes an average of 10-15k higher salary. There really is no reason for this because they can both accomplish the same task and are roughly equal in speed due to running on the CLR, but most GOOD C# programmers come from a C++ background so using sharp lets you fit in better with most high end teams.
I mean one project I worked on was a contract with a company that had their existing site 1/2 done in VB.Net but wanted it redone in C# and completed. Even though I hadn't looked at VB.Net before I easily read the code and translated it to sharp.
IMPORTANT FACT I FORGOT:
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If for some horrid reason you do choose to learn VB than MAKE SURE they are only teaching you using the .Net version. The earlier versions 6 and below and COMPLETELY depreciated and are no longer used other than maintenance of existing applications.
And I'm not one of those "ONE LANGUAGE TO RULE THEM ALL" type guys.. I use a mix of C, C++, C#, Java, Squirrel, and a few others.
Also there is something I looked at when I was switching around jobs and learning new skills. If there is a position for a developer using VB, or a developer using C# than the C# developer makes an average of 10-15k higher salary. There really is no reason for this because they can both accomplish the same task and are roughly equal in speed due to running on the CLR, but most GOOD C# programmers come from a C++ background so using sharp lets you fit in better with most high end teams.
I mean one project I worked on was a contract with a company that had their existing site 1/2 done in VB.Net but wanted it redone in C# and completed. Even though I hadn't looked at VB.Net before I easily read the code and translated it to sharp.
IMPORTANT FACT I FORGOT:
---------------------------------
If for some horrid reason you do choose to learn VB than MAKE SURE they are only teaching you using the .Net version. The earlier versions 6 and below and COMPLETELY depreciated and are no longer used other than maintenance of existing applications.
I have no sig.
RE: VB?
I agree with Imperil. I'm certainly no expert, but I've studied .NET and have always gravitated toward C# just for its syntax. And since you have a hankerin' for C++, I wouldn't even bother with VB. If you had previous experience with COM VB, which as Imperil pointed out is on life support - then I could see you wanting to keep programming in a familiar syntax.
By the looks of your 3 choices, I am guessing that the VB is the .NET version (pray), so you need to decide if the .NET framework is an environment you wish to work in. You may very well want to take the course not so much for VB, but for the experience of understanding .NET. Even though it's not taking off as much as Microsoft would like, the writing is on the wall in my opinion and will be the technology Microsoft will be driving home.
The advanced web programming course could be all kinds of things (ASP, PHP, AJAX ...) so I guess the million dollar question is do you want to program web based browser apps (either front end or back end) or do you want to program actual applications that people run, such as games?
Either way, I want to say good job man in tackling these subjects! After you graduate, you'll have the skills to get your foot in the industry and gain experience. Once you have experience, and are a competent programmer, you can work for a nice big company, or program on a contract basis like Midnight does and be self employed.
I look forward to others imput, because I like learning this stuff myself. Good luck man!
By the looks of your 3 choices, I am guessing that the VB is the .NET version (pray), so you need to decide if the .NET framework is an environment you wish to work in. You may very well want to take the course not so much for VB, but for the experience of understanding .NET. Even though it's not taking off as much as Microsoft would like, the writing is on the wall in my opinion and will be the technology Microsoft will be driving home.
The advanced web programming course could be all kinds of things (ASP, PHP, AJAX ...) so I guess the million dollar question is do you want to program web based browser apps (either front end or back end) or do you want to program actual applications that people run, such as games?
Either way, I want to say good job man in tackling these subjects! After you graduate, you'll have the skills to get your foot in the industry and gain experience. Once you have experience, and are a competent programmer, you can work for a nice big company, or program on a contract basis like Midnight does and be self employed.
I look forward to others imput, because I like learning this stuff myself. Good luck man!
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Archangelus
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RE: VB?
I 100% agree with Imperil. If I were you, I'd take the C++ and Advanced Web Development. A great deal of future services are going to be based off of Web Services, so learning the advanced techniques regarding AJAX, Java/Websphere and ASP.NET/PHP/Ruby, you should be well prepared to take advantage of those job opps as they come up. Additionally, if you look to current development, VB6 is to you what PASCAL was to me in school. On top of it, I would say any developer worth their salt would tell you that given the choice between VB and C++, C++ is the obvious choice. I'm here to tell you that as someone in the thick of planning development work for our component, those Web Services I mentioned before are pentultimate.
Doing C++ and Advanced Web gives you the best of both worlds like XoR mentioned before by being able to provide front-end and back-end services, which is a very valuable commodity.
Doing C++ and Advanced Web gives you the best of both worlds like XoR mentioned before by being able to provide front-end and back-end services, which is a very valuable commodity.
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Undead_Mercenary
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RE: VB?
Thanks for the input guys! I guess the choice is obvious: C++ and web programming.
Now to choose a General Education course *shudders*. It's usually a "which one would I hate the least?" kind of decision.
Now to choose a General Education course *shudders*. It's usually a "which one would I hate the least?" kind of decision.
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Undead_Mercenary
- Posts: 2914
- Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2002 10:01 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario
RE: VB?
Well I'm all registered, timetable looks great, got Fridays off. I ended up taking Intro to German Lang/Culture as my general education. I have no clue if it will be worth it, but the other choices really sucked and I guess learning another language should be beneficial.
Açieeed! style by