Choosing a Program Language

[Greg]

I just installed Visual Studio 2005 and it asks to choose a programing
language prior to first use.

I am not a programmer, but I have hacked around with VBA writing macros
and a few basic template based Add-Ins for Word. I want to be able to
continue this "hobby" with Word2007.

Can someone please advise on which of the available programming
languages I should choose? With the exception of having a basic grasp
of VBA, they all appear equally dark and formidable.

Thanks

 

[Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook]]

That's just for your default settings. Whatever you choose you'd be able to
open and create applications with any of the available languages.

If you're most familiar with VBA then VB.NET would be the closest thing.

 

[Greg]

Ken,

Thanks for the explanation. I hadn't considered VB.NET because of
"NET." I don't have one ;-)

My gut feel was Visual Basic just due to name similarity with Visual
Basic for Applications.

Is there a significant difference between the two and do you have an
opinion on which is easist to begin taking baby steps with?

 

[Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook]]

Your primary choices (unless you want to learn java or c++) are VB.NET and
C#.

C# is more VB-like than C or C++ but really is closest to a java sort of
syntax mixed with C. If you know C and VB/VBA then it's not bad to learn.

VB.NET is much more similar to VBA with some significant differences
(Integer is 32-bit and Long is 64-bit and so on) but it's easier to adapt to
for VBA users than C# is, especially if you don't have large amounts of
existing or library code in VB 6.

 

[Greg]

Ken,

Thanks.

Your primary choices (unless you want to learn java or c++) are VB.NET and
C#.

C# is more VB-like than C or C++ but really is closest to a java sort of
syntax mixed with C. If you know C and VB/VBA then it's not bad to learn.

VB.NET is much more similar to VBA with some significant differences
(Integer is 32-bit and Long is 64-bit and so on) but it's easier to adapt to
for VBA users than C# is, especially if you don't have large amounts of
existing or library code in VB 6.

 

[Greg]

Ken,

I am probably asking a stupid question, but I don't have a choice of
VB.NET. After having to install Visual Studio 2005 Professional
(Standard didn't support Visual Studio Tools for Office 2007), the
choice I have are:

Visual C++
Visual J
Visual Basic
and
Visual C#

Is Visual Basic as listed above the same as VB.NET?

Thanks again.

 

[XL-Dennis]

Greg,

There exist *no* stupid questions but it may exist stupid answers.

Is Visual Basic as listed above the same as VB.NET?

Yes, that's correct. I agree with Ken that VB.NET is the most suitable
language to start with for VBA people.

The following link refer to a collection of articles about creating managed
COM Add-ins for Excel with VB.NET:
http://www.excelkb.com/article.aspx?id=10204

In my experience You can use the 'cut & past & tweak' approach in VB.NET as
most knowledge with VBA can be used. VB.NET offer also a good support on a
beginning level when it comes to conversions and syntax.

Most VBA people I've discussed with agree that it's not necessary to know
Object Orientated Programming (OOP) in order to create solutions with VB.NET.

-----------
With kind regards,
Dennis
Weekly Blog .NET & Excel: http://xldennis.wordpress.com/
My English site: http://www.excelkb.com/default.aspx
My Swedish site: http://www.xldennis.com/

 

[Greg]

Thanks Dennis. I am set up now using Visual Basic.

Well "using" might be a stretching it. Actually I am setup falling
over myself with VB ;-)