should i learn visual basic or c?

Question

i want to learn a programming language. after my research i've decided that i want learn either visual basic or c. which one should i learn first?

Answer 1

If you want to learn programming, don't start with a language, start by learning programming. http://www-old.oberon.ethz.ch/WirthPubl/AD.pdf



If you already know programming, start with the language you're going to use. Basic and C are used for different things. It's like asking whether you should learn to use a hammer or a tire iron. Are you going to build houses or fix cars?

Answer 2

Sarah's answer is partially correct.



Visual Basic gives you everything you need to learn other languages. Programmers who have never used honest to goodness Visual Basic often times get it confused with VBA which is little more than a scripting language for Microsoft Office. They assume, incorrectly, that because they are both called Visual Basic that they both have the same limitations and restrictions.



Visual Basic 2010 is every bit as powerful as C# or Visual C++ is. Microsoft is making a concerted effort to make sure that anything that is available in one language is available in the other ones they sell as well.



Don't discount Visual Basic as a good and powerful language to learn. C is also a good language to learn early on, although it is more difficult to pick up that VB is, learning C is pretty much learning Java / JavaScript as well. So it will make it easier to slip over into Web Design because you'll have a basic understanding of the language and syntax already.



If you want to do ASP.NET or Silverlight Web development, Visual Basic is one of the options for a backend language for both platforms. The other is C#.



So it really depends on what type of development you want to be doing as to which route you should take.

Answer 3

I'm a programmer. I work with C++, Visual Basic 6.0, and C#, mostly. I also do Javascript, ASP.NET, Windows Forms, HTML, CSS, Relational databases, and a handful of other things. Don't work with Visual Basic. If anything, start with C#. It uses a similar syntax as C++, but a lot of the low level crap that you don't need right now is pulled out. It's accessible, but you don't HAVE to know about it. And if you master C# pretty well, it opens up several other "languages" to you, that use similar syntax - like C++, like C, like javascript. That doesn't mean you'll know the languages - it just means you'll get a head start. C# has all the advantages of Visual Basic.NET - it's good for quickly developing desktop and web applications. It also has most of the power of C++, and a great syntax. Use C#.

Answer 4

I would recommend starting with VB and later on you can always learn C++ as a second language if you found a need for it.



Visual BASIC is designed as a Beginners language. BASIC is an acronym for Beginners All purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, its name states its a beginners language.



VB is also used as the macro language of many software packages/suites such as MS Office. A special version called VBA (Visual BASIC for Applications) is used. If you start with VB you will be able to use it readily in automating tasks in Excel or Word by editing or writing your own VBA macros. Nothing helps learning a language more than using it and having a need to use it. Using VBA in Excel or Word will provide plenty of opportunities to cement your skills with small /simple tasks.

Answer 5

If you want to be a computer programming genius, I recommend going to this site called functionx.com. In regards what language to study, well, as it's true you will not completely be waisting you time with any particular one, would you not want to lean something that's more likely to get you a job? Forgive me if I'm incorrect. But Microsoft is now using the .NET framework for everything. And as a result of this progression, numerous companies are hiring .NET developers; and have been for some time. If you wish to learn Visual Basic, then go for that, I'd say. Learn VB.NET. However, I really love Microsoft's other choice; one that has been used an abundance everything as well. It's called C#. Like VB.NET, it used Microsoft's .NET framework (a very powerful Framework of coding at your disposal). So, as long as you intend to build Windows applications, you'd learn one of these. (When I say 'Windows', I'm referring to anything that will be on a pc. Whether it be an actual Windows application [such as Windows XP, Windows 7, and all the individual applications that come with these], or very powerful and dynamic web applications, console apps, Silverlight apps, etc). All that being said, here are links to functionx's tutorials an each of these two languages. I took the C# one and am now a C# genius, if I may so modestly say. O, and I'd say that my own personal research as well as my buddy that works at Microsoft, as well as my little genius, long time developer brother is my credibility. Here you go:



C#:

http://www.functionx.com/csharp/index.htm



Visual Basic:

http://www.functionx.com/visualbasic/index.htm



p.s. You'll learn crazily quickly by like page 4. But don't skip anything. The first few pages are a wonderful introduction AND helps you to download a free software from Microsoft that enabled you to have the easiest time (and most fun, no doubt) programming. The complete software is called Visual Studio. But I believe they're have you download Visual C# Express (for C#) or Visual Basic Express (for VB.NET). Keep in mind too, you can have a good time building web applications (or websites) by downloading Visual Web Developer. These previously mentioned languages (C# and VB.NET) will be used at the powerful background server languages for you web applications.



Here are the Visual Express downloads from Microsoft that you'll need:



http://www.microsoft.com/express/windows/



If you download them now, then you can just pay attention to the fact that the majority of things being taught to you in the first page of the language you decide to study will not require much or anything at all from you anymore. Be sure to learn the language of the Express you downloaded and will be using.



Here's the web application version of these:



http://www.microsoft.com/express/Web/



I know it's a lot of info, but you'll lean rather easily with these tools and tutorials (the one you choose) given you here. p.s. You can IM me if you want or need. I'd love to help you anyway I can.



Have fun! ;)



James

Answer 6

Start with C/C++ and then move on to Visual Basic. That's the order in which my college syllabus introduced the languages.

Answer 7

C.



It's still used heavily and very strong and versatile. It's also very easy to get to grips with.



I'm re-learning it myself although everyone seems to be moving to Java, although it's based on C but I find it more cumbersome.



If you know C, everything else will be easy. Visual Basic is a bit Microsoft-y and more suited to beginers without giving you skills you can take into any language.

Answer 8

learn c.

Answer 9

as a beginner definitely c.