|
cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 29 2003 : 9:03:19 PM
|
I would just like to point out that the .NET Framework redistributable is a free download from microsoft. http://msdn.microsoft.com/netframework/downloads/howtoget.asp The .NET Framework SDK is also free.
But what some of you may not know is that the VB.NET AND C#.NET compilers are included in the download. Which means you can write vb.net code right now and use the vbc.exe compiler to compile your projects.
An if you think you are out of luck when it comes to a free, powerful and GOOD IDE for the VB.NET and C#.NET languages your wrong! Checkout http://www.icsharpcode.net/
And click the SharpDevelop link. Don't be fooled by the name it does support vb.net!
Even better then that, is that the source code is free to download also!
Still not satisfied! Well you should also know that the microsoft MSDN library is freely accessable and contains all the documentation for the vb.net and C#.NET compilers! So you don't have to worry about help documentation. http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp
Combine these three things ...
1: The free .NET Framework
2: The Free SharpDevelop IDE for VB.NET and C#.NET
3: And free access to the MSDN Library
And you have a powerfull set of software and information availible to you. Spread the word!
If I had known about these three things I may not have Paid $2038 CAD for a MSDN Professional subscription!
I know it sounds like a marketing pitch, but how many times have you heard these three things in one fourm post and not be excited about it!  |
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
|
|
cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2003 : 9:22:27 PM
|
I'm giddy! I'm giddy I tell ya!
And how could I forget this diamond in the rough.
http://www.dotnetmagic.com/
With this library you can fairly easily create Visual Studio style Tabs, Menus and docable windows etc.
And as for my prev post about SharpDevelop GO THERE RIGHT NOW!
http://www.icsharpcode.net/
This is just a few things that SharpDevelop can do!
1: XML Documentation for VB.NET HELL YAH!
2: Code compleation
3: Forms designer
AAhhh! AAhhh! Giddy I tell ya! Giddy! Features! Features! Features! And it's all freeeee!
The features we like most...
4: Code AutoInsert
5: Completely written in C#
6: Compile C# and VB.NET in the IDE out-of-the-box
7: Open source, GPL licensed
8: Lightweight IDE
9: Xml documentation preview
10: User interface translated to many languages
11: Everything templated: add new project or file types, or even compilers to SharpDevelop
12: Write C#, ASP.NET, ADO.NET, XML, HTML code
13: Project or File-based development (Project Scout & File Scout)
14: Rich project options
15: Syntax highlighting for C#, HTML, ASP, ASP.NET, VBScript, VB.NET, XML
16: Intelligent braces
17: Bookmark your code
18: Code template support
19: Feature-rich Find & Replace dialogs
20: Easily extensible with external tools
21: Easily extensible with Plug-Ins
... and much more
|
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
 |
|
|
Eric Coleman
Gladiator
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2003 : 11:38:04 AM
|
Yeah, its free, but I already have VB 6. And VB.net doesn't work with DirectX 8 or DirectX 7, so there is no need for me to use it for game programming.  |
|
|
|
cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2003 : 4:16:37 PM
|
Eric, Eric, Eric. Say that again? VB.NET does not work with DX 7&8? Yes it does. How do you think VB6 interops with DirectX 7&8. With COM! VB.NET can reference and make calls com components just like VB6 Can.
From your post something tells me you are not yet willing to move over to vb.net. And if so Why Not! Inquiring minds demand to know. Is it because there is too much to learn. You don't like the .NET platform?
I was a vb6 programmer but as soon as vb.net was released I immediatly bought it and started using it. Only 3 short months after that, vb.net was the only version of vb that I was using. Just because of the full featured power it has over vb6 not to mention Full OOP support, not to mention VB.NET is now a first class language that can now compeat with the likes of C# and C++.
Eric. Eric. Eric. If you have not even tried vb.net as of yet. You really do not know what you are missing.
quote:
Originally posted by Eric Coleman
Yeah, its free, but I already have VB 6. And VB.net doesn't work with DirectX 8 or DirectX 7, so there is no need for me to use it for game programming.
|
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
|
|
|
cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2003 : 4:20:48 PM
|
Oh and Eric. Need I remind you of these three things ...
1: The free .NET Framework
2: The Free SharpDevelop IDE for VB.NET and C#.NET
3: And free access to the MSDN Library
|
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
|
|
|
Eric Coleman
Gladiator
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2003 : 5:11:47 PM
|
I don't have access to the tree structure of Lucky's message board, so I don't know what this is a reply to, but I've seen a lot of posts of people complaining about problems when using VB.net and DirectX 8. I just assume that the problems exist with DirectX 7 because of COM. Read this if don't believe there are problems. http://vbgamer.strategon.com/search/archive.asp?index=16452
I already have .NET installed, and just haven't had the need to learn Visual Fred. The syntax between Visual Fred and VB6 is so totaly different, that its like having to learn a new langauge, hence the name "Visual Fred." If I must learn a whole new language and syntax, then why should I learn VB.net? I think, in terms of employment oportunity, I should consider C++.NET or C#.NET, or even JAVA. If I'm going to spend 3 months learning a new language, then I should learn something that would help me get a job. |
|
|
|
cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
Posted - Mar 30 2003 : 6:19:56 PM
|
I was speaking of personal experience before I moved over to DX9. I don't recall having any issues with DX8 and VB.NET.
As for "Visual Fred"? I assume you are refering to VB.NET? As for your comment
quote:
The syntax between Visual Fred and VB6 is so totaly different, that its like having to learn a new langauge,
It's still the same VB6 lanuage syntax! The only thing that has changed really is that there are now more OOP oriented commands. Which by the way is a good thing.
|
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
|
|
|
Excaliber
Squire
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2003 : 11:10:32 AM
|
| Saying its the same lanuage is stretching it a bit far. Thats like saying BASIC is the same, or fairly close, as Visual Basic. |
|
|
|
cbx
Swordmaster
Canada
296 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2003 : 2:37:58 PM
|
Actuallly that is a good way to describe the differences between VB6 and VB.net. Yes virtually all of the methods and objects are the same in vb.net as they were in vb6 but because vb.net runs in the new .net environment there will be some new things to take into consideration.
I was also a qbasic user before i moved over to vb5. And the differences did seemformitable. But that is always the case when a language changes over to a new platform. DOS to Windows in the case if qbasic to vb5. For VB6 users its the move from Windows to the .NET platform.
I was also hesitant to make the move to vb.net. At first glance my impression of vb.net and the .net environment felt overwelming and complicated. I was unsure of how to draw graphics, work with files etc. But I stuck with it and now it feels like I have been using vb.net for many years. Even though it's only been a year and a month.
quote:
Originally posted by Excaliber
Saying its the same lanuage is stretching it a bit far. Thats like saying BASIC is the same, or fairly close, as Visual Basic.
|
Created by: X
http://www.createdbyx.com/ |
|
|
VB.NET compiler is free! But wait there more!
