Advice on moving to C#

[RW]

Looking for advice on moving to C# (as hobbyist/amatuer).

Background:
* Coming from VB6 (aka "classic" VB)
* Want to learn C# "just to see if I can"
* Want to also continue with VB6
* Don't want to spend hundreds of $$ (at first, anyway)

Suggestions for least expensive method of obtaining the language and
IDE?

 

[Arne Vajhøj]

Looking for advice on moving to C# (as hobbyist/amatuer).

Background:
* Coming from VB6 (aka "classic" VB)
* Want to learn C# "just to see if I can"
* Want to also continue with VB6
* Don't want to spend hundreds of $$ (at first, anyway)

Suggestions for least expensive method of obtaining the language and
IDE?

..NET Framework is free for download (it also comes with Windows, but you
may want to upgrade).

The .NET Framework comes with command line compilers and other
development tools.

You can then install an IDE on top of that. There are a few
free IDE's available:
* Visual Studio Express Edition
* SharpDevelop

Pick one - or both if you want.

Then either internet tutorials or a book. I would recommend
a book, but books are not free.

Arne

 

[Bert]

In RW

Suggestions for least expensive method of obtaining the language and
IDE?

MS Visual Studio Express. It's free.

I had been using VS Express 2010 on Windows XP, but now use the 2013
version on Win 7.

 

[Jeff Gaines]

Looking for advice on moving to C# (as hobbyist/amatuer).

Background:
* Coming from VB6 (aka "classic" VB)
* Want to learn C# "just to see if I can"
* Want to also continue with VB6
* Don't want to spend hundreds of $$ (at first, anyway)

Suggestions for least expensive method of obtaining the language and
IDE?

As others have said VS Express is probably the best programmer's IDE in
existence and it's free,

I think the transition from VB to C# is straightforward, especially if you
want to access the API as prototypes are similar. Just remember myvariable
and MyVariable are different in C# unlike VB

 

[RW]

Thanks to all who replied. I appreciate the guidance.

 

[Arne Vajhøj]

As others have said VS Express is probably the best programmer's IDE in
existence and it's free,

Visual Studio is more or less the only IDE in professional .NET
development.

But within the free IDE's then I do not consider VS Express
better than SharpDevelop.

Arne