MS visual Language question

[nitrogen_widget]

there seems to be a fair amount of programmers on this forum so i'm wondering which MS visual studio package would people suggest I try to learn for building front ends for SQL DB's?

VB, .net, C#

I saw there is a free visual studio with VB & C# I can download from MS.

[sub]

Just my personal preference, but I'd recommend C#. They're both quite capable though.

[elite]

I don't do any development of GBPVR plugins (lack of time...), but I use C# for exactly that at work...

I think if you are new to programming you should go down the C# route, but if you're already familiar with VB then the learning curve should be less in VB.net.

[nitrogen_widget]

This actually isn't for GBPVR.
I don't know VB.
I've got a lot of Access DB's floating around the LAN at work built by interns that no longer work here & their starting to become a thorn in my side.

I'd like to migrate them to SQL but the company just doesn't have the free programmers & the departments don't want to spend the cash to hire a contractor to do it.

So my boss gave me the go-ahead to see what I can do.
They are looking to send me to classes.

I told them to hold that thought because I wanted to take a shot at it on my own so I can decide if I really want to add programming to my job description so i'm just researching where I should start.

I appreciate the responces.

[psycik]

I've been through all of them, VB (3, 4, 5, 6), Java, VB.Net, C# (in that order).

VB to vb.net was an ok transition. VB.Net to c# was ok as well (commands are the same as vb.net just the syntax changes).

Now I wouldn't go off C# (or java, being pretty similar), I find them "faster" to program. I always thought I'd have c styled languages with all their '{' and '(' but I actually find it faster to write code with than vb's "english" style code.

But it's personal preference. The .Net languages a really good that in one solution you could have a c# class library/application and a vb classl library.

[Obsidian]

As mentioned above, there is pretty much nothing to choose between VB.NET and C# functionally, as they both work with the .NET libraries. You will have the same classes available to you in both.

The question is primarily one of syntax. VB is more verbose (wordier), while C# is a bit more minimalist. My personal preference is also C#, but I would suggest looking at some sample code from each and see what you prefer. As you rightly say, free IDEs are available from Microsoft for these languages.

[nitrogen_widget]

I've looked at online comparisons for both & I see how VB is "wordier"
I think i'm going to try c#.

It seems more people prefer it.
Plus, someone just gave me a book for it.

Thanks for the responses

[-Oz-]

vb is also getting a bit old. I think zehd and i are the only ones actively writing stuff for gb-pvr in VB6.