Re: [computer-go] Visual Basic as a Computer Go Language

["Frank de Groot" <frank@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "Paul Pogonyshev" <pogonyshev@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [computer-go] Visual Basic as a Computer Go Language


> ...I wrote in VB the visualization part. However after a
> while the darn thing would stop working claiming I have no licence to
> execute the code. Darn, I wrote it, how could I have no licence!

This illustrates Microsoft view on programming pretty well, doesn't it?
"Did you pay your programming tax this month yet?"

It is worse with C# .net because it compiles to less efficient code (at the
moment - Garbage collection and strings being particularly weak points
especially for beginners) and you are dependent on MS runtimes. VB at least
could be compiled and deployed as EXE + DLL's, same with Java, it seems that
with .net MS has decided to enter the realm of "subscription to execution
licence".

C# is quite a bit easier to build large applications with, at least in
theory, than C++ though. Almost as good as Delphi ;-)
MS has headhunted Anders Hejlsberg, Delphi's "inventor", to create C#.

MS has left VB programmers out in the cold by continuously breaking
downwards compatibility and finally dropping support altogether.
Borland, although IMO the company is not doing well at all any more
(mass-firing of entire management, refusal to make a 64-bit Delphi), has
continued to support Delphi and .net by making a Delphi that can compile to
.net Intermediate Language.

VB is good to quickly prototype something, to test something in a "dirty"
way but if your goal is to build a very large program then VB is simply not
fit to do it, for many reasons that have been beaten to death everywhere
already.

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