.NET start point?

[dgorsman]

Time for me to start picking up some VB .NET skills for use with AutoCAD. Not going to start with the AutoCAD side first, as we are still running 2005 and looking at upgrading in the near future. Hopefully, I can get up to speed on the basics before we get there. First off, of course, is to get a handle on using VB .NET. Can anybody recommend a good starting place for learning?

For some background info, I have extensive experience writing and planning code in a number of languages, from machine code up through VBA and LISP, with a little bit of C/C++ and java thrown in for good measure. I am familiar with object oriented programming methods. I'm a little weak on I/O (file streams and the like), and haven't even looked at things involving 'client/server' interaction. Not much knowledge in web-type design, although I'm going to be working on some ASP .NET stuff as I pick up the VB side.

[NathTay]

The transition to general VB.NET programming should be simple.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-au/vbrun/ms788236.aspx

The transition from using the AutoCAD ActiveX API to the .NET API is much more complex.

Regards - Nathan

[Anonymous]

Not sure why you would want to use VB.NET if you
have some background in C/C++ and Java.

C# is a much better choice. The code is cleaner and
easier to understand, from the perspective of most
with C++ and/or Java experience.


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wrote in message news:5625280@discussion.autodesk.com...
Time for me to start picking up some VB .NET skills for use with AutoCAD. Not going to start with the AutoCAD side first, as we are still running 2005 and looking at upgrading in the near future. Hopefully, I can get up to speed on the basics before we get there. First off, of course, is to get a handle on using VB .NET. Can anybody recommend a good starting place for learning?

For some background info, I have extensive experience writing and planning code in a number of languages, from machine code up through VBA and LISP, with a little bit of C/C++ and java thrown in for good measure. I am familiar with object oriented programming methods. I'm a little weak on I/O (file streams and the like), and haven't even looked at things involving 'client/server' interaction. Not much knowledge in web-type design, although I'm going to be working on some ASP .NET stuff as I pick up the VB side.

[dgorsman]

I've got more time and experience under VBA than the others. The java is mostly just some hacking for MegaMek. But I might check out C#, if not just for comparison purposes.

Thanks guys.

[Anonymous]

I'd tell you to forget about VB too and use C#. Its all about pragmatism at
this point in time and the indisputable fact that nearly all software
development has been or is being "webified" using the client-server
architecture. The client requires the use of JavaScript which is
syntactically exactly the same as C# and grammatically nearly so. Same with
Sun's Java and their recent release of JavaFX (as I think its called). Same
nearly so with CSS stylesheets and other languages be they from Microsoft or
not, the point being the professional application of software development
and programming languages has in whole or in part adopted the legacy of C
syntax and grammar and NOBODY cares ABOUT VB ANYMORE
because the legacy of C syntax and grammar allows us to learn at least three
languages for the price of one.

Lest you think you can claim "I don't do web development" that won't change
the fact that all of the movers and shakers such as IBM, Sun, Adobe,
Microsoft et el are now building transparent platforms where the web and the
desktop interoperate transparently and its being called Web 2.0 which
requires a mastery of client-side JavaScript as well as a language used on
the server even when building Windows Forms applications.

To learn a programming language I recommend using a real textbook which you
can acquire from the father and son team Deitel & Deitel by ordering one or
more for review from a local Barnes & Noble before making a final purchase.
As a former classroom instructor I have found nothing that even comes close
to the quality of their textbooks.

<%= Clinton Gallagher
NET csgallagher AT metromilwaukee.com
URL http://clintongallagher.metromilwaukee.com/

[1] http://deitel.com/


wrote in message news:5626423@discussion.autodesk.com...
I've got more time and experience under VBA than the others. The java is
mostly just some hacking for MegaMek. But I might check out C#, if not just
for comparison purposes.

Thanks guys. Message was edited by: Discussion Admin

[Rudedog]

Good advice above. Learn C#. Everything, at least under Windows, is headed towards the web. Because of its design, C# programs are "well typed" and "highly managed".

Plus, the Visual Studio IDE works better with C# than VB. The differences really come out when you are debugging code. Searching through the FCL goes smoother, too. You can actually look up the actual definitions, not just see a class view of the namespaces.

Rudedog
"Fooling computers since 1971."