Complete nOOb

[VBdude]

Let me first start by saying thanks to anybody willing to help me out.

I have been interested in programming for many years and i havde written some very basic applications in VB6.

I find VB to be fairly easy but not really powerful enough, i then bought Microsofts Visual C++ to start learning a more universal and powerful language, i was shocked. It is VERY different from VB, i have absolutely NO idea whatsoever as to how i get started. I started Googling around for some answers and the only thing i came up with was that many people obviously dont like VB.

One of my friends adviced me to find a book to help me get started, but there seems to be alot of books on the topic and i dont wanna spend money on a book i cant use.

He also told me that i should try Borlands C++ Compiler instead of Visual C++, he gave me a starters book and i immidietly Dloaded the compiler from Borlands web page.

The book was exactly what i was looking for, it explained in detail and soon i realized that C++ is infact much like VB, the only problem is that since its an extremely old book, it follows an extremely old version of the compiler which is no longer available. The new compiler will not accept the commands that the book tells me to try out so that didnt work out very well

Where can i find a book which follows the current version of the compiler?

Which books do you recommend for Visual C++, please bear in mind that im a total noob, and the books i need is the ones covering the basics. Do you think that a book is the way to go, and lastly i would like to know why people dont like VB?

Thanks in advance.

[Valmont]

Download Dev-Cpp from http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html
It is a complte IDE.

For the book try:
"Accelerated C++" from Andrew Koenig and Barbara Moo.

People don't like VB because C++ programmers think they are smart or something. Sadly enough only 10% of the pro's get it right: C++ has many pitfalls.

[redhead]

Do you think that a book is the way to go

Yes, you obvius need some way of learning the scope of C++, a book is an exelent way to achieve that.

why people dont like VB?

Because you need the runtime library with VB, if you distribute a C++ program, then the compiled binary will provide the needed code in order to make it work anywhere..
If it's a VB program, you might end up with half the users asking, "where can I find vbrun200.dll ??"
Those are some of the key factors to why, those who've moved on to C++ (or any other compiled language) are somewhat hostile towards VB.

[DJMaze]

If you want a easy language like VB look at Borland Delphi which is a pascal+ IDE.
The benefit of Delphi is that you could use it on Linux as well thru Kylix (version 3 atm)
Kylix is borlands graphical solution to build applications in Delphi and C++ on linux and is compatible to the latest windows versions Delphi and C++ Builder.

The difference between building Borland and just plain applications is that Borland uses his own window creation routines.
For example in windows you use "CreateWindowEx" but Borland creates a "child" window and works with that.
The best way to see that is to build a simple form and execute it, then minimize/maximize the running form and you will see the application doesn't use the "cool" border movement to taskbar (seeing smaller windows very fast)

Also you may use ASM in delphi and can use Delphi VCL in C++ Builder.

[slashdot]

Go to your local library. Mine has a section of computer books, alot of it contains programming books like C++ for dummies, or in small section.. it was filled up with Visual Whatever books. Take a look there.. though yours is probably not the same as mine, I'm SURE you'll find programming books there.