14 replies to this topic

[meridius10]

I've done some programming in Excel using VBA. Without the split screen (one side Excel, the other the compiler) and using the debugger to go through each part of the program, I would not have understood anything and this was an essential part of my learning, although sadly not highlighted in training programs. But it's now time to move on.

If I start learning Visual Basic, I may get more of a chance to create programs more quickly than with other languages. It appears to me from other forums that this isn't as respected as C++. The problem is that it looks like it will take a lot longer to learn C++.

I'm wondering if it's worth learning VB first and doing a few programs in VB 2008 before moving on to C++. If there is a quicker way to learn C++, I'd be interested. Additionally, is it easier to learn C++ through Visual C++?

[hetra]

Well, I program mainly in C++. Visual C++ are a set of extensions to C++. So C++ code works fine on a Visual C++ platform (there's just more, no less).

I have a friend who made (and continues to work on as we speak) an OS out of entirely QBasic. So, any derivatives of BASIC are pretty good (besides the point though). I've been programming in C++ for say two years now (I almost gave up twice). It may be hard, but it is worth it-I highly recommend it.

Visual C++ is extra stuff Microsoft has added on for the .NET Framework. So it might be better just to start off with native C++.

So to sum it up, VB, VBA, VBScript, etc. are all good skills to have. But, I do recommend C++. What helped me greatly was the C++ For Dummies book, MSDN | Microsoft Development, Subscriptions, Resources, and More and CodeCall.


Did this help, or just confuse you?

[meridius10]

Thanks - this has helped.

Did you use any particular platform to learn C++? If I'm looking to create apps, VB looks like a quick fix, so ultimately, I'll have to decide how long it takes to learn x or y, and perhaps dividing up my short term and long term goals.

I know what you mean about nearly giving up. I have spent the last month banging my head against the wall about database design and normalization. Some green shoots are showing, but there is still a long way to go...

[DarkLordofthePenguins]

No one uses Visual Basic at a professional level. Its only application is to teach programming, and it does it rather poorly in my opinion. I started my programming education with TI-Basic and C, and I do perfectly fine.

Visual C++ is simply C++ with Windows-specific libraries added on (or something like that). It's no easier to learn than Cocoa C++ or Qt C++ or C++ with any other framework or toolkit. But I would suggest learning a language without the framework at first, as depending on a framework doesn't prepare you for real programming. When you encounter a problem, instead of saying "Let's see what algorithm I can construct to solve this.", you say "Hey, let's go through all my libraries and look for a premade class that does exactly what I want to do here." It trains you to think that there's a magic button for everything.

Also, I disagree with the other poster about VBScript. It's an excellent language for writing viruses, but that's about it.

[hetra]

Yeah, I agree. Probably better to learn native C++ code without the framework first.

[WingedPanther]

If you want to get into .NET programming, you can use VB.NET or C#.NET easily to create professional programs. There are many companies that only use .NET languages for their development. C# would get you more comfortable with C++ style syntax. C++ has the advantage of being cross-platform if you code in pure C++ or use cross-platform libraries, but that may or may not be important to you at this stage.

[meridius10]

There are a lot of interesting responses here. My last post got lost somewhere, so you may get two from me if it appears out of nowhere.

C++ looks like the long haul option. I did find something on the internet that I thought was good to start with, which is also downloadable in pdf:

C++ Language Tutorial - C++ Documentation

I'm not sure about C#, but it may be better to go for C++. I did read some books on C++. Most were quite lengthy and this isn't really the start I'm looking for.

I'm looking to learn object oriented programming as well as learning something a little harder and preparing myself for a potential computing related degree or qualification. I'm just wondering if the easier route is to learn VB.NET first before moving on to C++.

[meridius10]

OK-I am just picking up on this. It looks as though I may have some free space to look at C++ now. When you mean without the framework, is that without something like Code Blocks? I went through some VB.NET and got really annoyed by the intellisense. Whilst that might be good for some people, I found it a distraction to learning a programming language properly.

What do you suggest I use to learn C++ in this case?

It has been suggested that I learn C# instead of C++. The reason that I have been looking at VB.NET and C++ is that they are standard on university courses and would like to do some preparation in case I decide to go back. But is it possible that I can do the same things in .NET with C++ as with C#? I noticed that in VS Professional there is a choice between using VB.NET and C#.NET. I'd like to avoid Microsoft all together, but maybe that's too idealistic in this world.

Ultimately I would now like to learn programming properly with C++ and don't feel that I have achieved this with the VB based languages.

[ststacytucker9]

Yes you are right, go with it

[johncruzes]

Yes, C++ Is basic of programming languages. and nowadays no one use Visual basic.

[WingedPanther]

johncruzes said:

Yes, C++ Is basic of programming languages. and nowadays no one use Visual basic.

Assembly is the basis of programming languages, and MANY people use Visual Basic. Where are you getting your ideas?

[meridius10]

Well, I have spent the last three weeks or so churning through this online tutorial in C++:

C++ Language Tutorial - C++ Documentation

but I can say that I am unsure it was for beginners. The week before that I went through a book called Visual Basic in Easy Steps.

The only way I understood any programming or got even close was by using the VB editor in Excel and stepping into each line of code. In fact after having gone on my only course in programming which was in Excel and having got to the end of it having understood not much, using the above method was the only way I began to actually see a program work line by line.

I used CodeBlocks for the C++ tutorial which wasn't too bad although I wasn't able to figure out how to debug while seeing each line of code work, as it basically just went straight to the command prompt.

The challenge for me now is to find a good book/method/system to at least be comfortable with the basics of C++. For me the method of training will be the most important thing.

Ultimately my three next choices are to either learn (a) VB.NET - I'm not sure I'll ever become a good programmer if I stick with this, (b) C# - try it out, or © C++ - find a good method to learn this and really understand programming.

C++ is a compulsory module in most university computer science degrees, so it’s something I will have to get a grip on first if I ever decide to apply for a course.

I would much prefer to stick with C++ but maybe there is a smarter way to learn it.