vb.net - OK. Taking the Leap to C++. Right Descision? -

ok. in past, have tried best master vb.net (which unsuccessful, taught me basics of programming, through research , experience. got know programming jargon, types, declarations, arrays etc.). before continue invest lot time spent elsewhere, on developing knowledge of vb.net, considering learning c++ moment onward.

my reasons wanting learn c++ are: - powerful, , both low , high-level (ish) language. - quite(or very?) portable - has been around long time - lot of software companies write applications in - quite hard read (for me), allows more concise definitions etc., , overall, more compact code. - quite specific ways in things (i because keeps things strict , creates standard) - if not mistaken (which may be), perhaps harder dissassemble, decompile etc. - not reliant on things windows or .net framework (i may wrong here)

these few things attracted me it.

let me explain unexperienced language, have viewed few simple "hello world!" apps etc. (only console apps)

also, not talking vc++ (visual c++). not want go way, want able write independant apps, , in pure c++

my question is: should make jump (vb) .net? apps want make should gui apps (not console), know visual c++ express has no ide this. find writing gui daunting, , find on internet, others too.

@sent ipod touch.

i spend more time vb.net if in shoes can develop same apps (strictly speaking .net perspective) part c++ , it's simpler use. once c++ there lot of things (like pointers takes time familiar with) require learn in order write memory efficient programs. instead of switching languages, try learning more how languages function (memory, runtimes, other high level languages, etcetera) , once feel confident in them jump c++.

i recommend approach because you've started vb.net , better off developing advanced skills in know. if hadn't started programming yet i'd recommend coming c++ , choosing move out of there. again, recommend stick vb.net simple fact you've got experience in , should stick until understand more complex functionality (not in vb programming language in general) such patterns, threading , other such nifty features can implement in languages syntax modifications.

strictly 2 cent.

edit

to add more options, current position, work vb.net until felt comfortable making apps hand (not using auto-generated files) , understanding how use , implement more advanced oop , programming features. move onto different language more used java. benefit of java lot of c++ flavor (syntax) without need learn how pointers , memory work , still don't need basic memory management. once confident enough in java in vb.net (or more) move c++.

additional information

you not incorrect, c++ not dependent on .net or windows in way. unless of course you're developing visual c++ .net applicaiton windows. in case it's dependent on both. popular windowing toolkit cross platform c++ qt i've used before used build windows applications outside of constraints of .net. being said, it's not easy non-.net c++ compiled in windows environment compile c++ apps on os x or linux (both of i'd recommend on windows learning c++).

to sum up, path recommend keep vb -> learn can in vb java -> pick c++.

background information

not it's terribly necessary these opinions came because started java , stuck until capable of building gui app ground without aid of ide generate other manifest (those things never worked when did them hand) before moved on first language after java c# (not of transition) , there went php, javascript, ruby, python , list goes on. 1 of latest languages learned c++ , having learned lot of things in different languages (and why things done ways in them) able pick , understand lot of c++ things rather (compared first feeble attempts @ when had learned basics of java). why recommend becoming more experienced "simple" languages since you've started there before moving on.