VB .net vs VS .net

[m3rc]

I was wondering if someone could please explain to me what the difference is between visual basic .net and visual studio .net. I have searched endlessly on google, but I just can't seem to find anything helpful. I haven't programmed since I took a couple fortran classes a long time ago, so most of this is very new to me. I was planning on starting up again and I am trying to figure out which to start with. I have checked out some others, as well. like purebasic, rapidQ, and ibasic. But, i would like to know a little more about VB .net and VS .net. Any input would be much appreciated.:)

thanks,

m3rc

[scarecrow]

m3rc-
Not quite sure what kind of desciption/comparison your looking for. MSDN library over at http://msdn.microsoft.com has a wealth of info (if you've got the time to research, you would like to invest).

Are interested in attending seminars/lectures, developing software, shopping around for what best fits your (?)needs(?), or just want the quick and dirty rundown?

[Steu]

can't really compare the 2, it would be like comparing apples to oranges. vb.net is a programming language like fortran. vs.net is the latest IDE from Microsoft, you can use vs.net to program vb.net, but it also works for C#, J#, C++, Managed C++, plus a whole slew more, because of it's extendable architecture, so theoretically you could make vs.net be an IDE for any language that you had a compiler for.

And if you really want to still use fortran go right ahead, http://www.salfordsoftware.co.uk/compilers/ftn95/vsintegration.html
(integrated into vs.net) :lol:

[Tekmaven]

Although Steu's response was accurate, I'm not too sure how 'clear' it was.

Visual Basic .NET: A programming language that compilies to the Microsoft .NET Framework.

Visual Studio .NET: An Integrated Development Environment. Basically, a place to easily develop and compile your code. Visual Studio .NET supports writing in many languages; C++, C#, VB.NET, and PHP to name a few. There are different editions of VS.NET, just like there are different editions of Microsoft Office. Some only include VB.NET support, some only include C#, etc.

I do want to point out that there are alternitives to development in Visual Studio .NET. You could just download the Microsoft .NET SDK; which includes the full VB.NET and C# compilers, and just write your source in notepad (not very user friendly!). One of the best free/open-source alternitives to VS.NET is called #Develop. #Develop doesn't have all the bells and whistles included in VS.NET, but if you're begining to write .NET code, I think most people would find it hard to shell out all that money for VS.NET when they don't even know the language.

[Steu]

hehe yeah, sometimes I have too much running through my head, it comes out not exactly clear, kinda jumbled

[Tekmaven]

Steu:

I typed my response three times because my first two weren't clear enough. I still don't like how it came out :-P. Then again.. I'm the only guy who writes drafts for a birthday card.

[m3rc]

Thanks to all of you, everyone was helpful :). My brother is actually a bit of a programming expert, so I finally got a hold of him and asked him, as well. He has all of these programs and told me I could try any of them (good for the budget). Since I am interested in regular old C++ it doesn't really matter (I guess, from what I gather???). I decided to start with visual basic .net. I bought a book, "Teach Yourself Visual C++ in 24 Hours," and am currently on chapter 3. the actual code is a bit different from fortran (haha), but it still takes the same type of thinking, planning and foresight.

I am still completely confused on all the differences between compilers, IDE's, librarys, etc. Maybe once I finish this book and move on to the next I'll have a better grasp of it all.

thanks again,

m3rc