PureBasic Forums - English

Hey Guys,

i posted a similiary question on the german board, but i think here is a bit more of traffic, so...

to me: I am not a programmer, i am an admin and started my own company a while ago. It's been quite nice.
I want to spend "free" minutes with learning a programming language, besides admin-stuff, like PowerShell.
The reason is simple. I want just to know, that i can do it and i ever wanted to know some language.
Besides this, i am always searchign for tools/software which could make my day more simple. Why not create those myself someday?
And who knows... Maybe i will extend my company's protfolio someday.

I looked into different languages, like C#, Java, VB6... and i came to the conclusion that i simply like "Basic-like Syntax" more than "C-like Syntax". Python was ok though.
Since VB6 is in this regard "extinct", i found vb.net and PureBasic. The first is OOP, the second is procedural.

My fundamental question now is : What should i learn? VB.Net or PB
MY main problem here is, that i don't know the essential differences (purpose, performance...) between OOP and procedural programming.
Can you just start an .exe file programmed with PB, just like a vb.net .exe? Or is this different?
I am not 100% clear about the diefferences.
I ncould imagein that it's easier for me to start with PureBasic and after a while jump to VB.Net, because my Software won't have the need of OOP.

I apologize for the amount of text here and my lack of english skills, but i often plöan in future, so i hopefully make the right decision.

Thanks for coming answers!
Nopp

Dont forget to ask on VB.Net forums too

PB forever

I usually find pb faster and easier for common tasks.

For example having a requester (a window asking something like ok/no, or a file name), doing something with that (like renaming a file, or doing some calculus), and quit, eventually giving some answer in a window or the standard output.

It's so fast that you don't hesitate to run at every line to check, going to help to directly copy examples, and you finish with a small exe that don't need anything to run from any support.

Nopp wrote:Can you just start an .exe file programmed with PB, just like a vb.net .exe?

Yes you can with PureBasic, and NO YOU CAN'T with VB.NET, because VB.NET needs additional runtimes to be installed on the target PC. Most of the time those runtimes might be installed already, but it's NOT guaranteed, or the user could've damaged the installation of them, or anything. With PureBasic it's just one single small exe to run and be concerned with, at all times.

Dude wrote:

Nopp wrote:Can you just start an .exe file programmed with PB, just like a vb.net .exe?

Yes you can with PureBasic, and NO YOU CAN'T with VB.NET, because VB.NET needs additional runtimes to be installed on the target PC. Most of the time those runtimes might be installed already, but it's NOT guaranteed, or the user could've damaged the installation of them, or anything. With PureBasic it's just one single small exe to run, all the time.

Hm, i don't know if a understand this right.
For example: If i want to build an invoicing software for my personal usage. Do i have to start the PB-exe of the software everytime, or is this installed like a normal program, and i can then find it in my %programfiles% directory?
I am just a little afraid that i might be limited with PB, but i like niche products in personal, so that's why i am asking here.
What is PB not capable of? Networking? User-management? Connection to SQL?

Thanks,

Nopp

Nopp wrote:Do i have to start the PB-exe of the software everytime, or is this installed like a normal program, and i can then find it in my %programfiles% directory?

PureBasic exes can be run standalone (for example, chuck them on your desktop or USB stick for double-clicking to run), or you can officially install them to %ProgramFiles% with any setup builder, like InnoSetup.

Other people can answer your other questions.

Nopp wrote: Do i have to start the PB-exe of the software everytime, or is this installed like a normal program, and i can then find it in my %programfiles% directory?

You can create a portable file or create a setup for %programfiles% directory.

Nopp wrote:What is PB not capable of?

With API everything is possible. Without API only simple things.

Nopp wrote:Networking?

Yes

Nopp wrote:User-management?

Yes with API.

Nopp wrote:Connection to SQL?

You can use SQLLite without any problems.

Sounds really promising to me.
I think i just have to take a look into both VB.Net and PB, and then decide.
Furthemore i think the road doesn't end with just one language...
There is enough time to learn a few.

And as if i am awaye vb.net and PB's Syntax is not sooooo different, am i right? (Syntax, not program paradigm!)

Nopp wrote:And as if i am awaye vb.net and PB's Syntax is not sooooo different, am i right? (Syntax, not program paradigm!)

Yes, they both have the "Basic" syntax and are very similar.

Don't forget what I said about the VB.NET runtime files -- you can't guarantee they'll be there, or undamaged, on your customer's PC.

Nopp wrote: And as if i am awaye vb.net and PB's Syntax is not sooooo different, am i right? (Syntax, not program paradigm!)

Yes each has an "IF"

imho the choice should be: C/C++, C#, Java vs. PureBasic. i would never choose VB over anything. your portfolio will probably benefit the most from C# and Java to be honest.

if you want to learn it professionally, and want to earn money from it in the future, then you should go with a C like language. such languages are widely used, and you will find a lot of people with those skillsets, and a lot of companies that require those skillsets. you wont find a company that is specifically looking for PureBasic programmers. they wont even know what PureBasic is.

learning a programming language for the first time is very difficult. a C like language might be very overwhelming at first. especially if you are just testing the waters. PureBasic is super easy and a great starting language for beginners and hobbyists in my opinion. its the gateway drug to programming. you cant really go wrong with it, and you can still switch later on if necessary.

c ya,
nco2k

VB.Net is a big bloated heap of bs...

c/c++ -> for srs programming & games
PB -> tools, prototyping (basically the fun stuff)

c#/java -> the usual bloatware
VB.Net -> hear ppl cry
VB6 -> do your thing

nco2k wrote:you wont find a company that is specifically looking for PureBasic programmers.

In general you are right but the above statement is untrue. From time to time I have seen postings in the english or german forum in which companies are specifically looking for PureBasic programmers. One recent example from September 2017 in the German forum:
http://www.purebasic.fr/german/viewtopi ... 10&t=30370