This post is not about android or JAVA

Stulish

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I have been asked by a company to create some software for them (PC based), i originally created software for them back in 2000 using VB6. This all worked well but now regulations are changing and they need new software for their new system.

Basically the system records Video (only 1 frame every 15 seconds), from up to 8 sources and audio from upto 10 sources and also lots of instrumented data. This is then stored for playback (i also have to create the playback software).

I have been looking at VS2012 and using VB again to create the software and have found VB has changed quite a bit over the years. I have managed to create a DLL file for the instrumented data recording (my aim is to have one DLL for each recording medium and the main program will use them.

Next i looked at recording the video, and found i could take a capture from my webcam or a USB plugged in video capture device, then when i tried to call a second camera so it records from 2 sources i start having problems.

Now to get to the actual question, i looked online and found alot of info for recording but it is all in C# not VB.net, i also found places to convert the C# to VB.net but these dont seem to work well (or i am doing it wrong).

Do you think i should just go out and learn C# or continue trying to use the VB.net as to me it seems C# can do it all and VB seems to have gaps in its uses.

Just a question and sorry if it is off ANDROID/b4A/JAVA but i value all of your oppinions from the forum.

Regards

Stu
 

barx

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The change in VB from v6 to .net is massive if you ask me, so much so that I simply cannot get on with it. I agreed to make my brother a small database program for his garage to track customers/vehicles and jobs. I decided to try it in vd2012. I had a ton of help from a user on here but sadly the program is still not finished. It simply bends my melon too much. There are a 1000 database format options and this that and the other framework. I really wish I could write the program like I code in B4a, would have been done months ago. I even debated writing it in B4A and running something like bluestacks emulator on their system. Not very pro though. If I ever go back to it I will probably end up re-writing it in php and setup a mysql db.

As for your question, I too looked at C# a couple of years ago but I'm under the impression that now all the VS stuff converts to byte-code, all languages have the same functionality and that you are literally just talking a different language. I could be wrong, but that's how I understood it.
 

barx

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p.s. were abouts in the world are you, I have a c# 2012 book you can have if your in the UK, just pay the postage ;)
 

Stulish

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Thanks for the replies guys, looking at it both VB and C# convert to byte code(CIL) using the .net framework, but C# was written specifically for .net and uses all of its functionality where as to keep VB like the old VB (and i have found this to be quite different), it doesn't use all the functionality that C# can use.

I just wondered if i have to learn a new language it is worth keeping with VB.net or moving across to C# as this seems to be the main area of coding online, i did do some borland C++ v3 years and years ago but cant remember too much of it.

Barx i do live in the UK, i was just wondering on peoples opinions as to whether to stick with VB (VB.net) or go for C#, as i am starting to think there would be just as much work involved getting to know either of them.

Cheers

Stu
 

ScarBelly

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My experience is that VB.Net and C# are very similar in capabilities. There is a big learning curve from VB 6 to any .Net development. The .Net framework is the same for both languages and is the biggest difference from VB 6.

VS2012 is oriented to Windows 8. If you are not working in a Windows 8 environment, I'd go with VS2010. Especially if you are using 3rd party drivers.

As for translators, the best I have found is: http://converter.telerik.com/
 

Stulish

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Thanks ScarBelly, i have started working through some books on C# to try to get into it (but its early days yet), and once i have sorted this i will be back to more B4A as the company that i have done work for in the past (both android and Windows) want be to work for them full time as a software engineer and also an electrical engineer, so i will be thinking of good uses for android devices.
 

barx

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Thanks ScarBelly, i have started working through some books on C# to try to get into it (but its early days yet), and once i have sorted this i will be back to more B4A as the company that i have done work for in the past (both android and Windows) want be to work for them full time as a software engineer and also an electrical engineer, so i will be thinking of good uses for android devices.
Sounds like a very nice opportunity, wish something like that would bite me on the ass. Fed up of being an electrician.
 

Stulish

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Well i am currently in the Military so need to submit 12 months notice, but the company said they would wait :)
 
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ScarBelly

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Sounds like a good direction to go. You sound like you have a similar background to me. I was an electronics engineer and moved to fulltime software. Knowing .Net and Android will get you far. Later you will need html and javascript to round it. If you are committing to learning .Net I'd go with C# in the long run. But I will say that looking at both VB and C# may help in the beginning as the .Net framework looks a little friendlier in VB at first. Your first objective should be understanding the framework and you can always switch to C# when you are comfortable with it. I find that after 10 years of .Net, I can do either language fairly easily. Obviously, you will need to have database skills too.
 

Stulish

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Thanks ScarBelly, i completed an Open university degree in IT, this covered Object Orientated programming and some stage programming languages for the Artificial Intelligence module. i also completed a years course in Relational Databases (that was slow going i can tell you). And i covered some basic Borland C++ v3 (many years ago) along with Z80 Assembly, so i have played with lots but got to love VB6, do you have any recommendations for learning the .Net Framework, the book i have on C# is:

51sbuyVJR1L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-47,22_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg

Beginning Visual C# 2012 Programming
 

ScarBelly

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I would if I could but I haven't bought any books in years. There are some good ones and I'd recommend reviewing some on-line and finding one or two but my knowledge of them is outdated.
 

IanMc

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The whole idea of object orientated programming is really cool.

on the surface C# and Java look very similar but it doesn't take long to see the differences.
 
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