Member Avatar for jan1024188

Whats better? C++ or VB?

Im sure C++ is much more powerfoul and portable than VB...what do you think?

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Short answer: there is no universally “better” choice—selection should be driven by the project constraints rather than fandom. The thread already captures that split: and point out context matters, and argue opposite practical views, and raised commercial concerns. The useful follow‑up is a concise, decision‑focused checklist and a few concrete workflow notes.

“VB” is ambiguous: VB6 (classic Visual Basic) is a legacy, Windows/COM‑centric environment, while VB.NET is a managed .NET language with garbage collection and access to the .NET class libraries. C++ is a native, systems‑level language offering deterministic destruction and low‑level control. Those are fundamental differences that change tradeoffs: control and performance versus rapid development and managed safety.

A compact decision checklist:

  • Target platform and portability: wide OS support and native libraries → C++. Windows‑only line‑of‑business GUI apps → VB/.NET often wins for speed of delivery.
  • Performance and latency: hard real‑time, engines, drivers → C++.
  • Development speed and maintenance: managed languages reduce many memory/safety classes and speed iteration.
  • Team skills and existing codebase: follow the stack already in use for maintainability and hiring.

Practical workflows and cautions: prefer profiling before rewriting; put small, well‑tested native modules in C++ for hotspots and keep UI/business logic in a managed language via interop (COM/PInvoke/C++/CLI). C++ gives power and also responsibility—careful use of RAII, modern C++ idioms and testing reduces many risks. This advice ties back to ’s “right tool” point: choose the tool to fit the problem rather than to prove a preference.

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Member Avatar for ~s.o.s~

Categorization is for the weak minded people who need a reason to learn a lanaguage. Programming is an art and language are the tools for artists.

Of course if given a problem domain and the requirements, this question would have carried *some* validity but as such it stands its really a pointless question.

You are lucky you didn't ask this question on a newsgroup, otherwise you would have being ripped apart in no time...

commented: More rep++ from Salem :) +6
Member Avatar for Ravalon

Whats better? C++ or VB?

It's not as clean cut as that. :( C++ is better sometimes and VB is better sometimes.

commented: More rep++ from Salem :) +6
Member Avatar for jwenting

And you expect an unbiassed answer here?

VB isn't really a programming language at all, it's a rapid prototyping tool for user interfaces.
Anyone using it for more than that is asking for trouble.

That said, C++ isn't perfect. Nothing is.

commented: More rep++ from Salem :) +6
commented: Amen -- nothing is perfect - ~s.o.s~ +12
Member Avatar for Salem

> Whats better? C++ or VB?
What's better to a carpenter - a hammer or a screwdriver?

Like the proverb goes, "If the only tool in the toolbox is a hammer, pretty soon all the problems look like nails".

commented: So true -- wish people could understand that - ~s.o.s~ +12
Member Avatar for WaltP

VB isn't really a programming language at all, it's a rapid prototyping tool for user interfaces.
Anyone using it for more than that is asking for trouble.

I definitely disagree with you. It's as much a language as any high-level language. Many robust systems can be created with ease.

Now if you had said it's a nonportable language and can be used effectively for fast and easy prototyping, I would have agreed with you. But it is much more than that.

Member Avatar for ~s.o.s~

Battle started -- mission accomplished.

Member Avatar for Ravalon

Battle started -- mission accomplished.

Language wars are like doing your taxes: unavoidable and you always end up losing. ;)

Member Avatar for RossSCann

If you want to do something comercial, better learn C++.
Ross

Member Avatar for Ravalon

If you want to do something comercial, better learn C++.
Ross

Once again, it's not as clean cut as that. :)

If you're applying for a job in a fine french restaurant, they probably don't care if you can make a mean hamburger. Likewise, I don't imagine that the local sushi bar has crème brûlée on the list of recipes their chefs have to master.

Programming is very diverse. Different fields will focus on different languages, APIs and tools to fit their needs. In many of those fields, C++ is too general to be of value. In others, it might be the primary language. Still in others C++ might be one of a dozen niche languages that are rolled up to produce a single package.

These things are tools. Tools are made for a specific purpose. Using the right tool at the right time, and using it well is what makes you a pro. :)

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