VB as a tool

Christian Graus

I'd go both. VB sucks, VBScript is worse, VB.NET is an intermediate step and VB will die within the next two iterations of Visual Studio. However, if you have the right COM components on hand, it's very good at throwng something together quickly, it's also good for people who are not smart enough to cope with the fact that C++ is taught wrong almost universally ( as C with classes instead as C++ ), or who simply want to learn to program in a more 'supportive' environment. It's an inferior language, no question. But I still think C# is inferior to C++ ( but give me C# over VB any day ). I am learning C# because of ASP.NET, it will be an effective tool for that purpose. Languages are tools, that does not make them all equal, but it also means the inferior ones have some uses. Christian The tragedy of cyberspace - that so much can travel so far, and yet mean so little. And you don't spend much time with the opposite sex working day and night, unless the pizza delivery person happens to be young, cute, single and female. I can assure you, I've consumed more than a programmer's allotment of pizza, and these conditions have never aligned. - Christopher Duncan - 18/04/2002

peterchen

The "anti-VB sentiment" is actually that it supports a coding style that is not suitable for complex and team projects. In less pc words: VB attracts and promotes lots of coders with very low design&development skills, and learning basic can be a major step away from true enlightment as taught by C++ gurus, The OO Family, the Delphi Dolphins, the Project Managment crew, and basically everybody who has experience with large-scale and/or commercial quality development.

The earth is not dying. It is being killed.

peterchen

Optima++ was quite a good C++ RAD tool, alas, it faded due to some bad design decisions and (probably) corporate politics.

The earth is not dying. It is being killed.

David Stone

Argghhh...this didn't reply to my post. It replied to the post under it. This happened to me earlier. Wonder why. Oh well. I forgot that Paul does VB too. David Stone dstone@newcenturytitle.com
MEEKNESS, n. Uncommon patience in planning a revenge that is worth while. The Devil's Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce

mstephens

I think both your points are correct. VB is an inferior language, but as a quick and dirty testing tool for COM components written in C++ it's damn good. It's lack of unsigned integers or longs is a complete pain in the ass for a lot of work i've ever done with it.

Chris Maunder

I've dissed VB in the past - sometimes fairly, sometimes unfairly. My view is that VB is like a nice big meaty sledgehammer. You can get a ton of stuff done really quickly but it's sometimes tricky to get the fiddly bits right. In that respect it's a wonderful tool. As a language I think it's time it was retired. It's too hobbled and compromised by legacy issues. Why have VB when C# is available? cheers, Chris Maunder

Lost User

Chris Maunder wrote: I've dissed VB in the past - sometimes fairly, sometimes unfairly. I agree fully. Coopers, Cascade, Boags etc. are much better IMNSHO. :-D Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "In Summer, I like to dance naked on the roof to celebrate the event of the temperature finally falling below 40C (usually about midnight). But the neighbors have lately taken up the habit of staying up late. And looking up, at times, from their dreary, pointless lives..." - Roger Wright 15/05/2002

Chris Maunder

I had a cascade (actually a few of 'em) for the first time in ages on Saturday. Not as good as I remember them to be. James Squire and Bavaria is probably my pick at the moment. cheers, Chris Maunder

Lost User

Chris Maunder wrote: I had a cascade (actually a few of 'em) for the first time in ages on Saturday. Not as good as I remember them to be. James Squire and Bavaria is probably my pick at the moment. James Squire is good especially the Porter but it is a bit on the expensive side and you can't buy it by the case for a decent price that I have found. If you like Bavaria have you tried Hollandia the other cheap imported beer from the Netherlands. I have been drinking Raffles (from Singapoer) of late as I can get 2 x 12 pack for $20.00 and it is a pleasant tasting beer. Still if I could only drink one beer forever more I would have to be Coopers Extra Stout if bottled was chosen or the Old Admiral from the Lord Nelson if tap beer was up. Michael Martin Australia mjm68@tpg.com.au "In Summer, I like to dance naked on the roof to celebrate the event of the temperature finally falling below 40C (usually about midnight). But the neighbors have lately taken up the habit of staying up late. And looking up, at times, from their dreary, pointless lives..." - Roger Wright 15/05/2002

Bruce Duncan

I consider it an inferior language, but it can still be used effectively under the right circumstances. Bruce Duncan CP#9088, CPUA 0xA1EE, Sonork 100.10030
Hi everyone. My name's Bruce. And I suffer from VB.

Michael P Butler

Nemanja Trifunovic wrote: I really fail to understand why there is no real RAD environment for C++. I think a lot of it has to do with the mindset of a C++ programmer, or at least those of us who have been using C++ in the days before windows. I find the RAD tools get in my way more than they help, but thats because old habits die hard. Michael :-)

dandy72

> Does anybody look at it as a tool that can be used effectively > under the right circumstances? If you have to work with VB, then change the circumstances so the project has to be done with C++. 'nuff said. :-)