What is better for a beginning programmer?

Is C++ or Visual Basic better for a beginning programer to learn and use? I've used Ti-Basic programming quite a bit and I know how to use it pretty well. Are VB or C++ similar to TI-Basic?

What is better for a beginning programmer?
Well Basic is ALOT easier to learn as a beginner, C++ is a bit more complicated. And TI-Basic is the basic used for TI calculators which I find even easier. VB is very similar to TI Basic, however C++ isn't, it's a whole different computer language. However if you have a high-end TI calculator such as the TI-89 Titanium or TI-92 Voyage, it can understand C++ when you program it into the calculator, unlike previous TI models. Good luck!
Reply:Out of the two, I'd go with VB for learning. VB won't ever be free (legally). VB.Net may be a different story, I'm not sure. C++ has plenty of free options for every platform. MinGW or cygwin are really nice for windows. Personally, C++ is great, but the variety of compilers, tools, and makefiles can be very frustrating for a beginner. It's still frustrating for me and I'm a C++ programmer. I recommend Java or C#. these languages are very well organized, very capable, and very free. Your knowledge of programming will not be hampered if you don't start with C++.
Reply:I have used both TI-Basic and C++ to some extent. Visual Basic is likely to be simiar to TI-Basic, and C++ will be quite different. C++ can also be harder to understand, but it is usually a more efficient and versatile language. If you're just a beginner programmer, I would also recommend learning Javascript, as it will give you a lot of experience with a simple C-like syntax without all the confusing parts of C++. But it's up to you.
Reply:Avoid VB6 (and VBA) at all costs. It's significantly different and inferior to VB.NET. Visual Studio Express is free and it's a trillion times better than VB6's IDE.





VB.NET will be a bit more difficult to learn than VB6, but, The .NET framework is great, and does a ton of things.





Old BASIC languages had tons of graphical functions, either built-in, via the OS, or "poking" to hardware. In Windows, graphics are extremely powerful, but more difficult to program.
Reply:I would suggest VB, simply because it is easier to learn. If you can find it for $20, I say go for it. I think you can get VisualStudio Express edition for free, which will allow you to do basic development in VB.Net.


I am not sure about Ti-Basic, but if you don't have any prior experience, C++ can be difficult to learn, and actually a little dangerous, as you can access memory directly. Which sounds fun - until you really hose something. Go with VB.
Reply:There are no free VB6 programs. However, VB.NET Express is a free download from Microsoft. I've no idea what TI-Basic is similar to, but if you have learned a programming language of any kind, then you have the basic ideas of logic and structure. So picking up another language is just a matter of syntax.
Reply:I started with VB express but I hated it I wanted to get into the code more not hide behind the Form maker so I moved onto C++ because it is more powerful and with the right knowledge you can make your computer do anything and make any software you dream of, yes C++ is hard but it is very rewarding when you finally finish a big project knowing that you have worked hard and improved you skills

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