BASIC Software

[Kenny Rohan]

Ten years ago (or more) I used a Tandy Radio Shack Model 100 portable. It came with Microsoft BASIC. It used statements like "GO TO", "IF THEN ELSE", etc. Is there software on the market today for the PC that is comparable. (My Model 100 still works but I may be the only one in America that has it. so I'd better learn a new skill). Thanks.

[doctorgonzo]

Visual Basic is the Windows descendent of those old BASIC programs. It still has the IF THEN ELSE and FOR NEXT loops and other such grammar, but it is geared towards programming in a GUI environment.

Most people will say that it is not a terribly good programming language to learn, because it is not a true OOP (object-oriented programming) language, and it still has the GOTO statement, which is bad news. C++ or Java may be better.

[DrZaius]

Hi Kenny,

Yep, Visual Basic is pretty close to BASIC, but as doctorgonzo suggests, I would go with Java or C++ if you want to learn a new language.

[HackinCowboy]

C++ still has the GoTo statement as well. Also, there are times (not many) but some where a GoTo statement is just easiest. I've used it before when I just need a quick program to do a job or two. So GoTo's are always bad...just most of the time.

I feel like I'm going to fight an uphill battle here, but I prefer Visual Basic over Java or C++. Mainly b/c I do a lot of work with data storage and the like. So it's just an easier language to use. I do like Java and C++, but just not as much as VB.. in an overall sense.

[doctorgonzo]

Each programming language has its uses. I know VB the most, because I have done a fair bit of programming in Access (again, working with data storage). At the same time, I know some Java (though I haven't done anything useful with it).

Personally, I think that the cautions about not learning VB because it teaches poor programming practices are a bit overstated. As long as you know the limitations of VB, I think you will be all right.

[HackinCowboy]

Maybe b/c I learned VB and C++ simultaneously I didn't develop any of these bad habits, but I don't see how VB can cause programmers to develop these bad habits. VB is a much different developing environment when compared to C++ or Java, but I wouldn't say that it causes bad habits.

[mosquito]

Visual basic allows you to use all the old style coding. And very often the old style code is easier to write (If you don't understand the advanced and good coding techniques.)

People in general use:
- way too little classes in vb
- Usually don't know what an interface is
- ****ty exception handling

These are the basic remarks after reviewing tons of vb code.