Visual C++/C#?

[HewittC4]

What's the difference between Visual C++ and Visual C#?

[Paul Komski]

Both are MS implementations included in Visual Studio. Visual C++ (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/60k1461a.aspx) was developed from C++ which was developed from C and allows programming for the creation of Microsoft Windows and Console based and Microsoft .NET–based applications.

Visual C# (http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/kx37x362.aspx) has been built on Visual C++ and is aimed at applications that run on the .NET Framework. There are a number of syntactical differences and the core libraries not as diverse.

.NET has its advocates over Win32 API programming for Windows in that it probably has a shorter learning curve but being more specialised has less versatility - for the time being at least.

MSDN is always a great reference guide for MS Programming software, development and applications.

[HewittC4]

Thanks. I am thinking of learning one of them and I am trying to decide which. I'm not really sure why you would use one vs. the other.

[Paul Komski]

If you want the greatest flexibility go with VisualC++. If you want the quickest learning curve go with VisualC#.

Out of the two, I would start with VisualC++ because it has been around longer and the C++ language (an embellishment or enhancement of C) is probably the widest used by those writing programs for operating systems. It would be easier to migrate to C# from C++ then vice versa.

If you want to go the whole hog and get even closer to assembly language learn C for which you would need a C compiler and an even bigger learning curve. But you would then have the greatest cross-platform ability. I say that as a theoretical statement because I have never even attempted to learn C.

All programming is hard at the start and there are very few shortcuts. Any programming teaches you certain basics of logic and syntax and so as you learn more it becomes easier to learn even more. The water may be cold and the pool large but you have to jump in somewhere. A good instructor is invaluable in learning how to swim in many different waters.