Computer Science Canada

VB Books

Author:  StarGateSG-1 [ Mon May 01, 2006 8:16 am ]
Post subject:  VB Books

Hello,

I have decided that Java will not work for me, it is by far my least favourite language and leanring it won't improve my programming skills because I have no interest.

I have decided to go with VB.

I need a book that has great lessons on FSO and MSXML and converting them between each other. THe book also needs to have sections on Math from a text file before converting to XML.

I want a book rather than a website, because I prefer reading and learning in something I can grasp in my hands. Although if it is a really good website then I might use it.

Thank you.

Author:  Martin [ Mon May 01, 2006 10:22 am ]
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Totally not following you here. THe book also needs to have sections on Math from a text file before converting to XML. Huh?

What problems are you having with Java?

Author:  Tony [ Mon May 01, 2006 10:45 am ]
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XML and Math? VB? You're better off going with C# instead.

Author:  [Gandalf] [ Mon May 01, 2006 11:18 pm ]
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Tony wrote:
You're better off going with C# instead.

I predict he will find that "too similar" to Java and decide to not learn it. It's interesting how he chose to go from something he finds crappy to something a whole lot of people find even more crappy.

Author:  Tony [ Mon May 01, 2006 11:24 pm ]
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yeah, but C# and VB are virtually the same.. they both use the same API, and he picked that for some reason.

Author:  StarGateSG-1 [ Tue May 02, 2006 6:30 am ]
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Well, if you really want to know why I picked VB over java, it for the quickest way to learn, because this is a school project that will be implemented next year when I am gone, I can't and won't come back to update the program, on top of that my compsci teacher know VB like the back of his hand which makes him a reference, something I need going into a new language. Maybe I am a little harsh with java, it just doesn't appeal to me, from the first time I tryed was in grade 11 with Ready, horrid mistake, got a 98 in the class but still not good choice. Then I tryed using other methods and form them slow and not well layed out. I perfer languages that are solid, which java is not, I know it is like C++ but it is more of a rip off to me. I also can't learn a whole language out right, I need to get the job done first, I will wait for college to get a better idea, right now RL is more important.

btw that math part was a mistake, when I read it over it sounds so stupid.

Edit: THe other reason why I am not going with java, is becasue as when I turned for help here, no one pointed me in a direction. THen I was reading tutorials on XML at W3schools an they state that Vb is better with xml and text file conversion.

Author:  Tony [ Tue May 02, 2006 6:47 am ]
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And there you have it.. Ready killed Java for StarGateSG-1

and I'm starting to get an odd feeling that you're actually refering to VB6, not VB.Net Confused The former is dead, the latter might as well be C#.

Author:  StarGateSG-1 [ Tue May 02, 2006 7:48 am ]
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VB6 is what I will be using.

Author:  wtd [ Tue May 02, 2006 10:59 am ]
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Tony's absolutely right. VB6 is dead. I have no great love for Java, but it's a far better choice.[/i]

Author:  StarGateSG-1 [ Tue May 02, 2006 6:49 pm ]
Post subject: 

To summerize why I am using VB6:

-My teacher has lots of knowledge with it.
-I have books on it.
-It is fairly straight forward language related to C++.
-I don't have to worry about designing the appereacne becasue it is drop and click.
-I have only 2 months to leanr the language and write the program and release it.
-VB has all the functions I need all in one place and easy to understand.
-It gets good reviews on the web for converting text to xml.

Author:  Tony [ Tue May 02, 2006 7:49 pm ]
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StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-My teacher has lots of knowledge with it.

Programming is more about logic, algorythms and concepts, not language specific syntax. Reading a Java program should be straigh-forward
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-I have books on it.

API, Documentation, Samples, FAQ. Then there's [Java Help]
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-It is fairly straight forward language related to C++.

I'd argue that Java is much closer to C++ than VB6
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-I don't have to worry about designing the appereacne becasue it is drop and click.

Same with Java, and it actually looks more impressive than what I remember VB6 to be..
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-I have only 2 months to leanr the language and write the program and release it.

Are you already compitent in VB6?
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-VB has all the functions I need all in one place and easy to understand.

Looking for something specific?
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-It gets good reviews on the web for converting text to xml.

Google vb xml = 38 mil
Google java xml = 299 mil

Author:  cool dude [ Tue May 02, 2006 8:49 pm ]
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vb net and vb6 are almost the same although u guys are kinda right about saying vb6 is dead because now everyone uses vb net! i learned vb6 very easily! i'm trying to learn java now. ya not so easy! at times i wanna quit but i'm going to keep on trying until i learn. u shouldn't give up on a language. if u really wanna learn vb 6 u should check some tutorials online they are sometimes better than books!

Author:  wtd [ Tue May 02, 2006 8:56 pm ]
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cool dude wrote:
vb net and vb6 are almost the same


Really, trust me, they are two entirely distinct languages.

Author:  Tony [ Tue May 02, 2006 8:57 pm ]
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cool dude wrote:
u guys are kinda right about saying vb6 is dead because now everyone uses vb net!

No, we're right because Microsoft has discontinued support for VB6

Author:  cool dude [ Tue May 02, 2006 9:04 pm ]
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wtd wrote:
cool dude wrote:
vb net and vb6 are almost the same


Really, trust me, they are two entirely distinct languages.


wat is so different about them. i think they're pretty similar and if u know one u could learn the other really easily

Author:  wtd [ Tue May 02, 2006 9:09 pm ]
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The libraries. The .Net libraries are not trivial, and VB.Net depends on them heavily to do anything non-trivial.

Author:  Tony [ Tue May 02, 2006 9:38 pm ]
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_Basic wrote:

Visual Basic .NET, VB.NET, is a backwards-incompatible redesign of Visual Basic to Microsoft's .NET platform.

Author:  StarGateSG-1 [ Wed May 03, 2006 6:05 pm ]
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Quote:
Tony wrote:
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-My teacher has lots of knowledge with it.


Programming is more about logic, algorythms and concepts, not language specific syntax. Reading a Java program should be straight-forward

reply: I know programming "logic, algorythms and concepts", I need the "language specific syntax".


Quote:
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-I have books on it.


API, Documentation, Samples, FAQ. Then there's <a href="http://www.compsci.ca/v2/viewforum.php?f=21">[Java Help]</a>

reply: Going through the help files on their web site is suicide, unless you know what you are looking for down to the very command it is pointless.


Quote:
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-It is fairly straight forward language related to C++.


I'd argue that Java is much closer to C++ than VB6

reply: How can Java be closer to C++, VB is the basic version of C++


Quote:
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-I don't have to worry about designing the appereacne becasue it is drop and click.


Same with Java, and it actually looks more impressive than what I remember VB6 to be..

reply: You don't create the interface with and write code for each section in java in a drag and drop way.


Quote:
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-I have only 2 months to learn the language and write the program and release it.

Are you already compitent in VB6?

reply: less than 2 months I need it done by end of may now, and I can't pull it out of thin air, VB has great documentation for converting text files to xml files and it is a handful of code. Writing to an xml files is also short.
The parsing of a textfile is basicly visual in how you do it. Time is of the essence and other people will have to make changes as time goes on. VB is simple to leanr in a few days.


Quote:
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-VB has all the functions I need all in one place and easy to understand.

Looking for something specific?

reply: So.. Look Here!


Quote:
StarGateSG-1 wrote:
-It gets good reviews on the web for converting text to xml.

Google vb xml = 38 mil
Google java xml = 299 mil


reply: Since when has numbers meant better, even on the internet, honestly I could go host like 10 or 100 web sites that contain those key words and the count would go up. All you need is web space and know how of html or xthml or any web based language.


The point of this is that it doens't really matter, I am using VB and I have looking it, it works well for the task, and is easy. Is that what makes the language you choose important. It also doesn't amtter if MS doesn't support VB6.

Java is dead to me, and it always will be.

Author:  wtd [ Wed May 03, 2006 6:23 pm ]
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The point of the debate is not what language you use. I can't speak for anyone else, but I couldn't care less. The point, rather, is making sure that in explaining your reasons for your choice, misconceptions about programming languages not be perpetuated.

Author:  StarGateSG-1 [ Wed May 03, 2006 6:46 pm ]
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I think I have explained my reasons.. If not what am I missing?

Author:  [Gandalf] [ Wed May 03, 2006 7:44 pm ]
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You are missing the fact that there will be many other people who read this topic in the future and begin to form their opinions around it. If they are going to base their preferences on what you have said, it would be best if they had a reason.

And the fact that those who have replied are trying to keep the facts seperated from angry (or not) and stubborn (or not) musings.

Author:  StarGateSG-1 [ Thu May 04, 2006 7:49 am ]
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I am very well aware that other people will read this post and make opinions on the diccussions. That is why I tryed to keep the facts straight, and only tell the truth mixed with logic.


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