>>> What are people's thoughts regarding learning VB vs. C#? My understanding
>>> is that there are no major technical differences in their capabilities
>>> and that compiled code from any .NET language is compatible with modules
>>> written in any other...
>
>There are differences in the capabilities of the languages but they are slight (and I'm not adept at them to get into any more detail that that). Your second statement is true though, once the code is reduced to IL they are the same. Class libraries created in one are usable as superclasses to another.
>
>>> Is the programming market better for one or the other? I would think that
>>> VB would be a bigger market, seeing that VB has been around a lot longer.
>
>There is the intelligent question. I can only speak for the Charlotte, NC area but all of the head hunters want C#. I'm certified in VB.NET and now I have to spend time and money taking on C# so I can be marketable with the banks around the area. There is also a "snob" appeal to C#, just as there was with C++.
>
>>> Looking for thoughts and ideas for someone already very experienced with
>>> object-oriented development...
>
>If you are looking to begin your learning of .NET please check out the Murach series of books from Mike Murach and Associates out of Fresno, CA, www.murach.com. I have been blown away by the quality of the book and the layout of the lessons contained therein. You can get them cheap from either Amazon (new) or ebay (used).
>
>My advice to you is learn C# first and take the two certification tests (don't forget www.TestKing.com in the process). Then, learn VB.NET at your leisure, then take those two certification tests. Once you know C#, VB.NET is a piece of cake. In the end, you know both and are employable in every .NET shop.
>
>My personal preference is VB.NET for two reasons: 1) I feel much more productive in the environment and the code looks much more readable to my eyes, 2) StrataFrame application development framework is developed using VB.NET (www.strataframe.net) and that is what I now use.
>
>HTH,
>
>CTBlankenship, MCAD.NET
>
>Thanks.

Charles;

Let me second the suggestion about Murrach Books! They are tops!

Coming from an electronics engineering background I like meat and potatoes and not tons of words to attempt to describe a technical feature. For those that are not familiar with Murach Books, the left page is the theory and the right page is the example. I have been using Mike’s books for two years for my .NET work. I just ordered the ASP.NET 2.0 C# book. The VB.NET version has been out for a few months.

I read one of the Murach books while our son was driving us to Fresno two years ago in June of 2004. I thought it was cool – like the book returning from its point of origin!

The mayor of Fresno was asked, “What is the nicest thing about Fresno”? The mayor replied, “It never gets over 120 degrees”! It was only 105 when we arrived in Fresno that day. :)


Tom