Visual Basic allows the programmer to create the user interface first, and then add the code as needed to make the interface work. In fact, the majority of the interface is already done for you in the Visual Basic compiler. As a programmer you will only need to tweak the environment and then add the code in the back end to have the interface perform exactly as you would like, also Visual Basic has a large library of pre-made functions that is easily accessible. This allows the programmer to quickly create Windows based applications with a minimal amount of effort.
FORTRAN and Visual Basic, although they are both high level languages, differ greatly in their usage. As stated previously Visual Basic is great for quickly building an application that can do almost anything you need it to do. FORTRAN, on the other hand, is more of a scientific language. FORTRAN is short for ‘formula translator' and is used for formula solving applications.
A large advantage Java has over Visual Basic is that it can perform on virtually any system (Windows (any version), MacOS or UNIX), while Visual Basic is the master of Windows. The reason for this is because Java requires the Java Virtual Machine to be downloaded and installed on any machine Java is installed on. This download does cause certain security issues with access to Java applications. Java does have certain features (the Sandlot security model, etc.) that aid in protecting it but are not tamperproof. Both Java and Visual Basic are excellent languages for development and a developer should know exactly what his network structure is before choosing which language he wishes to use.
Many independent programmers prefer Perl over Visual Basic. They like the ease of use, the cost (free), and many believe a better support base (via online resources versus Microsoft support, which also costs money). But no one can deny the Visual Basic GUI design tools and useful wizards. Regardless of what programmers want they are usually bound by whatever their company uses. In most cases if the company has invested in to Visual Basic then that is what will be used. Also, the actual GUI for Perl is not the most attractive.
Visual Basic Support and Tools
There are more tools for Visual Basic than I can name here, but I will give a few examples.
• Sonic Alpha Style Control aids in the look and feel of your GUI.
• Sonic Click - Mega Button Control gives your buttons a web look
• VBScodePrint allows more flexibility in the look of the actual code
• TurboVb Mini Apps allows a person to register and unregister components from explorer
These tools can range to $0 - $150 or more. Visual Basic has more tools created for it than any other programming language. Search the Internet and you will find several free applications you will find useful for your programming experience.
Visual Basic has two main ways to receive support. The expensive and time consuming way is by contacting Microsoft. The more common way is to look for help via the Internet. There are several web sites dedicated to the programmer who is in need of some help. They are usually quicker and always free.
