Visual Basic Forum for Visual Basic Programmers VB - Interactive Visual Basic Forum .NET Programming & Help

DoobieKeebler · Posted: Oct 24th, 2005 08:50 AM Post subject: Is it worth upgrading to .Net?

(Now, before you answer that please read the whole post.)

I'm still using VB6. And since I have two sisters who are running Win98SE I'll still need to use it for any programs I write for them. In fact, one of them has a copy of VB6 on her computer so it will help if I still have it installed. The machines they have won't really run XP well, and they can't really get new machines. They're lucky to have the hand-me-downs they have.

Considering the above, and knowing that the .Net framework won't run/work/whatever on Win98, what benefits will I get from moving to Vb.Net? My computer, my work computer, my other two sisters' computers, and my parents' computer all run XP (some Home, some Pro). So threre are certainly enough machines that can take advantage of .Net.

I know that moving to .Net means I can use current code. But I still have books and magazines that let me program an Atari 400 (a cousin to the Apple ][ and the Commodore Vic-20). So current code isn't that big a deal to me.

Are there things I will be able to do in .Net that are either impossible or very awkward to do in VB6? Or are there perhaps other benefits that you wouldn't think of unless you know what .Net can do?

I guess what I'm looking for are good reasons to shell out another $400+ and to write two versions of programs.
_________________
Always take into account what a user would never ever in a million years do, because someone will.

"In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." -- Yogi Berra

vbman995 · Posted: Oct 24th, 2005 03:07 PM Post subject:

I purchaced Visual Basic.NET when I started Visual Basic. I then got a demo thing of VB6 and like it better, so I purchaced Visual Basic 6. I like Visual Basic 6 a whole lot more.

THe idea of .NET is to have Visual Basic be able to create Windows Applications, Mobile Applications and Webpages using 1 language, Visual Basic. If you are planning to create Webspages and Mobile Apps along with Windows apps, I would recommend VB.NET

However, I did not really enjoy VB.NET for 1 major reason: The Runtime. It took me 1/2 hour to install the runtime onto a computer with Windows ME!

I enjoy using VB6 because it is nice, easy to use and powerful. If you want something more powerful and can program for stuff in a larger range I would recommend VB.NET, but before you get it: I would highly recommend trying to get Visual Basic.NET demo of some sort to see if that is really what you are looking for.

DoobieKeebler · Posted: Oct 24th, 2005 03:25 PM Post subject:

Whoa! 30 minutes to install the runtime? Does that include the time to download it?

I don't really plan on doing any programming for WinCE devices. And if I do any ASP.Net programming I'd probably pick up a book on just that to avoid any gotchas. (I did that for ASP and found it very helpful.)

So I'll take that as one "no" vote. Thanks.
_________________
Always take into account what a user would never ever in a million years do, because someone will.

"In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." -- Yogi Berra

P.T.A.M. · Posted: Oct 25th, 2005 03:23 PM Post subject:

VB.Net makes a LOT of stuff easier for you. I won't start listing stuff, but it's a fact. Things that you need loads of APIs to do are done easily with .Net. So it definatelly has benefits. I don't know if there will be issues with Win98 so I can't really comment on that...
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No one is completely useless. They can at least be an example of what to avoid.

DoobieKeebler · Posted: Oct 25th, 2005 03:48 PM Post subject:

No kidding? Shoot, I've never shied away from API programming once I caught on to it but if I can get the same effect natively then I'm definately looking into .Net. VB6 is sometimes a bit limiting.

I saw a book in a store that was aimed at VB6 programmers who are starting with .Net. Looks like I'll be picking that up the first chance I get.

Thanks!
_________________
Always take into account what a user would never ever in a million years do, because someone will.

"In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." -- Yogi Berra

vbman995 · Posted: Oct 25th, 2005 07:03 PM Post subject:

With the runtime: I tried to install if from a CD-ROM that I had burned. My Windows ME computer froze the first time I tried to install it. I decided that my possible coustomers might not want to spend that long to install a runtime.

Thanks for your PM P.T.A.M. Exclaim

I might use VB.NET for mobile device development, but I don't know if I should do mobile device development or not.

P.T.A.M. · Posted: Nov 12th, 2005 05:19 AM Post subject:

vbman995 · Posted: Nov 15th, 2005 03:01 PM Post subject:

What about Downloading Visual Basic 2005 Express for the time being and use it?

It is available for FREE from Microsoft. Download it before Nov. 2006 and keep using it forever for free!

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/download/

DoobieKeebler · Posted: Nov 15th, 2005 03:15 PM Post subject:

A couple of reasons.

1) I already bought VB.Net 2003 Standard edition.

2) Although I haven't looked at the Express Edition, experience has taught me that, having programmed in VB for almost 7 years (my receipt says I bought it in early 1999), I'll feel the restrictions of a cut-down version.

3) I've known that when I could make a case for using VB.Net I'd get the Pro version if I could justify it, the Standard version if I couldn't.

4) The 2.0 framework is way too new. Experience has taught me that it's best to let a new "major" version of anything simmer for a while and let others get bitten by the inevitable bugs. (That's why I didn't mind getting VB.Net 2003.)
_________________
Always take into account what a user would never ever in a million years do, because someone will.

"In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." -- Yogi Berra