John, If your fairly with the basic programming and syntax its only getting used to a new syntax using C#. C# (I don't write C#.NET since there is no C#.NotNET) is not at all more difficult to learn than VB.NET as some people indicate on the list. If your used to MapBasic the first three weeks will be easier with VB.NET, but that time will pass in a hurry.
I just had a � year university course in Java OOP/design pattern and one important thing I learned (I had the feeling it was right but had no words on it) is that you should follow your intuition a lot more when dealing with software creation. Bottom-line open some VB.NET code and some C# code look at it, and think which code it the most beautiful to look at. Pick the one your like, the rest is minor issues. Do not care about the expenses. Being afraid of secondary issues like expenses will slow you down especially in the long run. You can not have your boss pay for you to learn a new language (or sometimes even just getting better). So start reading books every night at your own cost so your ready when time comes. Developing software is a life style not a 8:00-17:00 hour work. That is if you want to be good at it. Also remember that the language is only one of 3 (or 4) issues, actually the smallest of them: 1. The .NET framework getting to know it. 2. The language VB.NET and C# etc. 3. Object oriented development (like design patterns) (4). The GIS API. So the language is actually not that important. When you get to know the language you want to abstract from the languages it self and talking about classes and how they can interact and be designed to deliver flexible software. This is the same in C++ (almost), Java, VB.NET and C#. The Java books I read is to be better handling software design in C#. You can design a software system in Java and translate it 'directly' to VB.NET and C#. But this is the next step when you learned either VB.NET or C#. I would like to handle the MapXtreme 2004 or MapBasic.NET (or what ever it is call) at the abstraction level above the language, i.e. in UML / class diagrams. The language is just the tools and not the bricks that builds the house. Go for it. Mvh. | Regards Jakob Lanstorp Software Developer Geographical Information & IT COWI A/S Odensevej 95 DK-5260 Odense S Tel +45 99 36 77 00 Direct +45 99 36 77 86 Fax +45 99 36 77 01 Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cowi.dk -----Original Message----- From: John Polasky [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 5:44 PM To: Jakob Lanstorp Subject: RE: MI-L Programming language for GIS Jakob- I've been dabbling with both, MapBasic and VB (much less with VB). My question to you is as follows... I am fairly comfortable with the 'Basic' type languages and the syntax, however, I am wondering how difficult it would be for me to switch over to the 'C' language. I don't consider myself an expert programmer, instead, I'm probably a beginner to intermediate. Would switching to C be difficult, and can I benefit in the long run?? Thanks. -John The Schwan Food Company -----Original Message----- From: Jakob Lanstorp [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 10:37 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: MI-L Programming language for GIS If you want to be serious go for C#.NET instead of VB.NET. There is (almost) no difference in what you can do with the two languages. But all the long haired guys that comes from C++ and Java to .NET will go for C#. They produce a lot of code samples, articles etc. that are very nice for beginners and also experienced developers. If you have done a lot of MapBasic you probably will find VB.NET more home like there than C#. The company where I work has decided to go for C# in both GIS and non GIS development. If it was Friday the issue on what development language to use could give rise to a lot of nasty mails. Mvh. | Regards Jakob Lanstorp Software developer Geographical Information & IT COWI A/S Odensevej 95 DK-5260 Odense S Tel +45 63 11 49 00 Direct +45 63 11 48 62 Fax +45 63 11 49 49 Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cowi.dk ________________________________ From: SCISOFT [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wed 2/16/2005 17:03 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] Subject: RE: MI-L Programming language for GIS VB.NET -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, 16 February 2005 8:22 PM To: [email protected] Subject: MI-L Programming language for GIS Hi I've been using MapInfo for a little while now, and have found it very useful. However, I think I could probably get more from it if I knew how to write programmes to get it to do exactly what I want. The problem is, I have no knowledge of computer programming. So, I think I will try to learn a bit more about this. What I would like to know is which computer programming language would be the most useful for MapInfo, and also for GIS in general? Thanks for any info, Debbie --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 15254 -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.8 - Release Date: 14/02/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.8 - Release Date: 14/02/2005 --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 15263 --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 15289
