[AccessD] Moving to .Net (was Ded Moroz sends you ...)

I think we all want to feel that our decisions are correct, whether it is the car we drive or the 
language we program in.

I propose that in this case, there is almost no discernible difference in capability between the two 
languages.  I believe that at this instant in time C# holds the edge in "desirability" with 
employers and thus in salary paid, however I also believe that they will probability level out.

So who cares really?  Pick one and get to work!

One thing I would say is that because of my VB background and the fact that I have switched to C#, I 
can easily read and write VB or C# programs, whereas had I stayed with VB I would only be fluent in 
VB.  Had I come from C# (no VB background) and I stuck with C# I would not have that advantage.

John W. Colby
www.ColbyConsulting.com

On 1/2/2011 5:22 AM, Shamil Salakhetdinov wrote:
> Hi Dan --
>
> I just wanted to ask you what are generally accepted statistics your
> statements are based on?
>
> Thank you.
>
> --
> Shamil
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Dan Waters
> Sent: 2 ?????? 2011 ?. 6:12
> To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> Subject: Re: [AccessD] Moving to .Net (was Ded Moroz sends you ...)
>
> I'd recommend VB.Net over C# for the following reasons:
> (I know some of you want to scream at me about this, but what I'm doing is
> making logical arguments, not passionate arguments.)
>
> With the release of VS 2010, the capabilities of C# and VB.Net are almost
> identical - there used to be significant differences in previous versions.
> Since both compile to the CLR, you get the same results in the end.
>
> Utility software exists which can convert one language to the other and back
> again.
>
> Because there is effectively no difference, software shops will be looking
> to hire developers not on which language can write, but on what value they
> bring.  There won't be an automatically higher rate for C# developers.
>
> VB.Net is easier to learn than C#.  And if you're an experienced Access
> developer it's easier yet.  (Although easy is a relative term.)
>
> Because VB.Net is easier to learn, college students will learn it instead of
> C#.  (When you were in college and you could save some time what did you
> do?)  This will add to the proportion of VB.Net developers over time who
> will wonder why anyone would pick the more difficult language.
>
> Experienced developers, all other things being equal, can program faster in
> VB.Net.  This makes you more competitive whether working independently or in
> a company.
>
> MS is trying to be leaner than they were in the good old days w/o Google and
> others.  So they need to reduce duplication of resources.  Making two
> similar programming languages identical is a good way to do that.  The next
> step would be to deprecate one of the languages - and C# will stop being
> supported in 10 - 12 years.  MS created C# so that Java developers could
> more easily transition to a .Net language while .Net was becoming
> mainstream.  .Net is now mainstream.
>
> --------------------
> On the cost-benefit:
>
> I'd say that if you want to continue to be an independent professional
> developer then VB.Net is the way to go.  I've lost projects with potential
> customers just because the IT department didn't know what Access could
> really do - they saw it as a toy and my credibility as low.
>
> But if you are using VB.Net&  SQL Server you've got credibility, even if you
> could have done the same project in Access at 1/2 the time and cost.
> Company decision-makers often don't care too much what something costs (even
> while they are screaming to keep the costs down) - they care more that they
> 'look' like good decision makers to keep their career path on track, and
> screaming at a supplier (or developer) to keep costs down looks good too.
> People often buy the more expensive thing because think it's worth more.
> Unless - the person who hires you is directly affected by Profit&  Loss -
> then they really do care!
>
> Good Luck!
> Dan
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Mark Simms
> Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 7:07 PM
> To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
> Subject: Re: [AccessD] Ded Moroz sends you links on sample projects... :)
>
> Good stuff John. Would you say based on your time-in-training that you are
> 50% as productive, 25%, ???
>
> I'm just trying to gauge the cost-benefit of moving to C# dot-net.
>
>
>
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