Why use C# instead of VB.NET?

[dmctiernan]

Not to sound too stupid, but what is the main reason for writing an application in a particular language?. Why use C# instead of VB.NET or vice versa?. Is it simply a matter of what the preferred language of the programmer is or is there another reason.

Example: If two applications were written with the exact same functionality, the only difference was that one was written in VB.NET and the other was written in C#. Would the compiled EXE actually be different in terms of performance or otherwise. I do some weekend programming as a hobby in VB.NET and I have wondered about this.

Declan.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Mostly yes. Depends.

Unless a project demands it, most engineers will tend to stick with the tools they're familiar with. Unless the project requires a specific set of benefits provided only by the new tool, learning a new one would unduly extend the length of a project with no benefit (and can often hurt the project further if the implementation is poor due to lack of understanding of the tool).

Since BASIC will make some assumptions that C# may not or change the way you talk to the machine, one may be more appropriate. For example, VB doesn't directly support pointers (there are ways around this using the Win32 APIs) whereas C# does... pointers are a practical necessity when dealing with hardware-level coding, fast memory accesses, etc.

If all you're interested in is hobby projects, VB is quite adequate. Should you decide to approach it from a job perspective and intend on accessing plug-in cards, speedy graphics, CPU-intensive processes, etc. then VB is going to fall short of the mark.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com