What should I learn?

[stece]

I have learned basics of VB 6 and I am not sure what I should
learn now I mean what programming language. If somebody
could advise me and tell me where I can get a compiler of that language not buying expensive Microsoft stuff.
Thank you in advance.

[arjonesiii]

You should learn both .NET (C#/VB.NET) and Java. You can download free IDE's and compilers for both technologies. If you're doing Web development, be sure check out the "LAMP" (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) technology stack--all of which is available for free. Study XML processing, schema (XSD), and query (XPath, XQuery) techniques.

Study Python and Eiffel, C++, and Lisp. get a copy of Squeak (Smalltalk) and experiment with that. Learn the common design patterns and write a test application that uses each one you learn.

Note that there is no *one* language or technology that you should learn--there's an abundance of them. Studying any one will simplify the task of learning another. And you're lucky enough to live at a time when--for learning purposes at least--the tools and languages are free. Have fun.

[MarkDuncan]

What are the arguments for learning C# as well as VB.Net. The way it comes across from Microsoft both will compile down to the same MSIL code (allow I doubt thats entirely true). How much has the gap between VB and C really closed with .Net.

[arjonesiii]

From a performance standpoint, there is no reason to learn both C# and VB.NET, but there are some good reasons to do so.

The most important reason to learn both is that you will be able to understand and work with example code, classes, controls, and other code written in either language. You'll often find an example in one language, but not the other, so it's very useful to know both, at least to the point where you're comfortable translating from one to the other.

Another reason is that you expand your possibilities for employment when you learn both. Despite their similarities, most ads target one or the other--and because of those same similarities, it's just not that hard to learn both.

Finally, the differences in syntax add up to a considerably different "feel" when working with the languages. C# feels more compact--quite a bit less to type. VB.NET feels friendlier, though. Intellisense in VB.NET is better, the language isn't case-sensitive, and the code indentation seems to work somewhat better.

There are a few differences in capability, but those are (mostly) being eliminated in the upcoming version (VS 2005). Which you'll prefer depends on your working style, your background, and which language you work with most. You owe it to yourself to try both, just so you won't make a decision by default.

[Hickeroar]

Originally posted by MarkDuncan
What are the arguments for learning C# as well as VB.Net. The way it comes across from Microsoft both will compile down to the same MSIL code (allow I doubt thats entirely true). How much has the gap between VB and C really closed with .Net.

Just an FYI, this is very much truth. Heck, the class library that you use when you code in .NET is already compiled to MSIL which is why it's a) small enough to be included in its entirety in the .NET framework and b) able to be interfaced with using any of the .NET languages... Theoretically ANY languages that was converted to object oriented could be applied to the .NET framework so it would produce MSIL...

You can actually code half a project in C# and your buddy can code the other half in C++/J++/VB.NET and you can compile it all together...

Yes it's that good and no i'm not paid by microsoft. :-P

[Hickeroar]

btw, since all the .NET languages access the same class libraries and such, it's INCREDIBLY easy to learn one when you already know another. I coded in VB.NET and picked up C# in less than an hour because all i had to do was learn the low level basics of how to use one syntax or another. The rest was childsplay...

[MarkDuncan]

Cheers for the replies folks,

I've done a bit of VB6 and Java so the step up to VB.Net has been (relatively smooth, touch wood) although I think it would be more worthwhile to spend more time getting to grips with the framework classes but once I feel more comfortable I may well take the time to aquaint myself with C#.
Still find it hard to get my head round the fact that C and VB are equally speedy in dot net - guess it just old prejudices rearing their head.

[Pete the Geek]

Try the free open source C#/VB dot net ide

http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/Default.aspx

It is almost as good as Visual Studio dot net and best of all it's free!

[Hickeroar]

I've used it, and it's great. Definatley reccommend it.