No replies to this topic

[solstice]

So here we go, I will try to make this question as sane as possible.

I have always had an interest in programming and have dipped my toes in VB.Net, C++, and C# from time to time.

I have written many shell scripts (DOS batch/VBScript/WSH) and done some minor SQL work.

My current workplace and job has me interacting with Oracle 9i, MS SQL Server 2000 and 2005 and an application to maintain (and later extend) that is written in VB# under Visual Studio 2003.

The only licensed development environment I have at work is VS 2003.
I do have student access to VS versions up to Visual Studio 2008. Most of the access to learning materials I have makes direct reference to VS 2005.

I'm starting a new page in my life and would welcome any input or preferably jumping off point on what versions of VS I should be sticking to and learning SQL in regards to MS, learning more about either C++ or C# for my personal growth and learning more about VB.Net.

Mostly, I may have the incorrect impression that utilizing the VS 2003 development environment leaves me out in the cold to .Net 2, 3, 3.5 and 4 (upcoming in VS10).

One more thing, my development OS is Windows XP Pro. Server environments vary between 2K and 2K3 Server.

Thank you in advance,

Joe