Learning VB.NET / ASP.NET - Where to start?

Kona*

Kona*

Kona*

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Hello there :) I am looking for a bit of info...

I have never done programming in my life, except a little bit of HTML/XHTML. I mentioned in work the other day that I would like to get to grips with Visual Basic and ASP, one of the guys set me a challenge to get me started; to create a simple web-based call logging system written in ASP.net. Now then... I have no idea where to start, I already had Visual Web Developer (Express) on my laptop, and I have created the layout of the first page. Are there any books/websites that you could recommend?

Thanks :)

Craig
 
To be honest, it's largely down to preference when it comes to choosing between C# and VB.NET, as they offer almost exactly the same functionality and features (they use the same libraries after all), and can operate seemlessly side by side.

I personally, though, would go with C# as it's Microsoft's current flagship language, and has its full support. It also has a few extra features that VB.NET doesn't have (e.g. pointers) which can be useful in some situations.
 
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I'm currently wanting to learn ASP.Net, but coming from original ASP/vbscript background would it be best for me to learn C# or VB.Net?

I say best, what I actually mean is most practical in terms of future use, e.g. when microsoft builds on development in the future.
 
Pixie said:
I'm currently wanting to learn ASP.Net, but coming from original ASP/vbscript background would it be best for me to learn C# or VB.Net?

I say best, what I actually mean is most practical in terms of future use, e.g. when microsoft builds on development in the future.
Click to expand...
See my post above :)

If you want to learn the most practical language, then C# is for you. It's been developed from the ground up as a .NET language, and as such has Microsoft's full support for the future.
 
Thanks for all the help guys - I must be blind, I did actually check the asp.net website but didnt see that quickstart link! I am being pushed to do VB.net by the guy who challenged me as he does it, and swears by it. Would C# or VB be better for someone who is starting out in programming?

Thanks again :)

Craig
 
Well, you could say VB.NET syntax is easier to learn for beginners, as it's made primarily of actual words, but you'll soon grow out of it, to be honest it just feels a bit clunky. C# has C-style syntax, which is much more concise and elegant in my opinion.

For example, this code in VB.NET:
Code: 
Private Sub DisplayNumbers
	Dim i As Integer
	For i = 1 To 10
		Console.WriteLine(i)
	Next
End Sub

Is equivelant to this code in C#:
Code: 
private static void DisplayNumbers()
{
	for (int i = 1; i < 10; i++)
	{
		Console.WriteLine(i);
	}
}

VB.NET syntax may seem easier at first, but C# is in fact a lot nicer to use :)

To be quite honest, I'd say you should go with C# if you're beginning. VB.NET is a lot more lax and less strict when it comes to programming (it's better than VB6 at least, but it still has problems). For example, you still don't have to declare your variables and it isn't as strongly typed as C#, unless you explicitly turn on Option Explicit and Option Strict. This can lead to beginners picking up bad habits which can be difficult to get rid of.

C# makes variable declaration mandatory, and is completely strongly typed by default, which avoids these problems.
 
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Cr4iG said:
Thanks for all the help guys - I must be blind, I did actually check the asp.net website but didnt see that quickstart link! I am being pushed to do VB.net by the guy who challenged me as he does it, and swears by it. Would C# or VB be better for someone who is starting out in programming?

Thanks again :)

Craig
Click to expand...
Id say VB would be easier, but C# will stand you in a better position for if you came to learn C, Java, JavaScript and other languages.

The quickstart examples are installed with the .NET framrework of Visual Studio .NET I believe, cant remember which - probably Visual Studio.

C# has Id say, been more adopted in the .NET world and should stand you in a better position for getting a job in it should you want to. VB seems th obvious route for people who go from ASP to ASP.NET as most ASP is written in VBScript, so its pretty easy to follow through.

Id certainly familiarise yourself with VB at some point, but its the way to program you want to learn, from there the languages and keywords are pretty much minor points to learn.
 
I actually find the { } syntax much easier than the VB syntax. But back OT, if you are just starting out then I would go for C#, you can obviously download C# and VB .NET for free, so you are probably best to do this and have a play with both.

As it is .NET most things will be the same, apart from syntax. I think you will find C# is faster though.

sfx
 
Pretty sure the speed is the same.... few things that are different that i know of:
1) VB is much more user friendly. if you type some code to assign a colour to a variable, when you press equals and then a space, when using vb.net it will drop a list of system.color. Ok not major, but it helps.

2) C# (not sure if its been included for vb in 2.0) has great xml commenting. Makes documenting code a lot easier.

3) The industry seems to ask for C# more than VB. Even though VB.net is nothing like VB / vbscript - it still has that rep of being a bit micky mouse.

Overall though, speed should be the same as they both get compiled to the same language.
 
“It is practically impossible to teach good programming to students that have had a prior exposure to BASIC: as potential programmers they are mentally mutilated beyond hope of regeneration.”

:)

Learn c#.
 
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