Why Visual Basic?
Visual Basic was the first computer programming language I learned with enough knowledge to build an application.
So why did I choose Visual Basic?
To be honest, it initially wasn’t my choice to start with Visual Basic
It was my dad’s suggestion to get a good grip over a Basic language that was then supported by Microsoft (We all know how that went). Eitherways, I picked it up way back in my 4th grade (2009)
And it proved to be an excellent starting point for several reasons:
- Visual Basic is remarkably simple to learn, with easy to remember syntax.
- Despite its simplicity, it allows for the development of complex programs and software.
- Developing a full-fledged application was much easier.
- Compared to languages like C/C++, Visual Basic required shorter codes to perform the same tasks.
- And last but not the least, It is an Event Driven Programming Language
What is Event Driven Programming Language?
The main key feature is that in an Event-driven Programming language like Visual Basic, programming is done in a graphical environment rather than a standard text-only environment.
So, what does this mean? Well, instead of coding everything from the object’s position to its color configuration, one can simply drag and drop elements. This enabled programmers to easily build Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) and interact/create events for forms with ease.
This is the main key difference between languages like C/C++ and Visual Basic. If you were to build the same application in C or C++, you would notice how complex the program structure and memory management is. All this is delt with ease in Visual Basic.
Do I still code in Visual Basic?
No, I don’t. Why, you ask? Well, if it wasn’t already obvious, the language is essentially dead. But why is that the case, considering the features I mentioned earlier?
Well, it’s mostly thanks to Microsoft’s VB 6.0 to VB .NET Update. The update changed everything including what Visual Basic stood for. The programming structures, syntaxes, everything changed.
This transformation impacted not just me, but every Visual Basic developer out there who were used to the simplicity of VB 6.0., and surprisingly, even Stephen Hawking. Curious how? Watch this video to find out.
Furthermore, newer and more efficient programming languages have emerged that perform the same tasks with greater effectiveness. While no perfect replacements exist yet, I see little reason to return to a language that is no longer even compatible with the latest systems.
My Experience using Visual Basic
My journey with Visual Basic has been nothing short of amazing. It served as the perfect introduction to programming, teaching me invaluable skills along the way. I vividly remember my first application and the awe I felt at how simple it was to build. I would not be who I am today if not for
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