VB vs. C#
As I've said 1,000 times and will say 1,000 times more, C# is just better than VB.NET - it's that simple. No, really, it is. Now, you may be calling me a hypocrite b/c of all the times I said "VB.NET vs. C# arguments are moronic. Few people know the freaking framework well enough to give them the right to talk smack and the few differences between the languages aren't worth a cup of copy. Only idiots argue over that.". But I'm not being hypocritical at all. After all, I absolutely believe that sentence 100%. Most of the people that get steamed over language debates are the same folks just dying for an identity that they have nothing else to define themselves by. In highschool, they argued over Nike vs Reebok. If they couldn't graduate from high school, they debated about Ford vs Chevy (just kidding). In college they argued about Linux vs Windows (although they typically knew neither well enough to warrant an informed opinion). Now they argue about this.
Well, as you know, I'm never wrong and my opinions are 100% perfect. And I'm here to tell you, C# is just better. Does it have features VB.NET doesn't? One important one but VB.NET has some that C# lacks so that's a draw. is it easier to write and code? No, unless you already know C style languages. Does it perform better than VB.NET? Not unless your competing against someone who turns off Option Strict (must resist temptation to take cheap shot at person who tried to get me kicked out of the MVP program over and over, must resist, must resist).
So why is it better? Simple. C# guys don't have chips on their shoulders. not sure what it is, but I have yet to hear a C# guy whining about being treated like a second class citizen. Now, compare that to a VB6 guy when VB came out. "OMG, you mean I can't use Variant? What am i going to do? Help, get me a petition!" But they bit the bullet. Then it started "Wahhh, Can you send me your code samples in VB.NET, you only wrote it in C# and you should realize that not everyone knows C#". But it didn't stop there. "Microsoft doesn't love us, all their code samples are in C#. And people act like we're not as smart b/c we use VB.NET". This snivelling cause some sort of brain damage and causes otherwise smart people to say really dumb things . This is, as opposed to otherwise moronic former Klansmen that say really dumb things.
There's just something about MustOverride or End IF that brings out the wuss in folks - because even many though guys I know become snivelling weenies after an hour with VB.NET. Although I don't have scientific evidence to support it, putting a semicolon on the end of each line forces you to strap a set on and each semicolon tightens up the bolts (yes, I'm aware nuts would have made a very good pun, but I hate that type of humor). I mean, rumor has it that VB10 Professional is going to include a box of feminine napkins and estrogen treatments for any guy that buys it, as an incentive. Well, not really , but you'd think so coming from all the whining many VB.NETTers engage in.
Ok, so that's not good enough for you? What about this? I use it. There!
My advice to hard core VB.NET guys who don't like the lack of respect... I'd go out and spend 10 minutes on google. i'd collect a whole slew of crap C# code (trust me, there's mountains of it). Every time someone got cocky about C# with me, I'd copy a piece of it and say "You mean, if I used C# it would make me a better programmer, and help me write better and cleaner code - and stop me from doing dumb things - like this....?" Seriously folks, the only thing dumber than arguing C# vs VB.NET is whining about your treatment. That's b/c it assumes that at some level you buy into the whole thing. I need to find it but a few years ago, some C# dude got a little huffy with Carl Franklin and Carl decided to set him straight - if I can find his link I'll post it. Suffice to say that Carl (the VB.NET advocate here) was *not* the one looking stupid at the end of the discussion. That's b/c he knows his stuff and knows that there's just too many evidence based examples to counter with.
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On a related note... I've had many dealings with Bill McCarthy. He's jumped my a55 many times and like all Irish hotheads named Bill, he can't be very quick on the tr*gg*r . He clearly made a poor decision on his choice of words. But seriously man, the lynching that's going on is unreal. Bill isn't a racist and anyone that knows him, particularly from the Coffeehouse knows that. Christ, he's one of the most PC Sob's you'll run across. He's not a racist and he didn't mean it the way it came out. May I point out that while he's definitely spent some time in the U.S., he's uhhh, not from here and doesn't live here. Someone from a different country is a lot less likely to have the understanding of certain words, such as that one. If Bill actually meant it the way it came out, I'd be the first to call him an a-hole for doing it, name calling of that sort is completely uncool and i have very little tolerance for such things . But seriously, read through his stuff, ask people that know him , particularly from the Coffeehouse, Bill is a lot of things but a racist isn't one of them.
Now, you'll forgive me while I go off and goad my homie Chris about VB.NET vs C#