>Hi:
>
>This is not a "VFP is better than..." or "I'm dropping VFP" post.
>
>I presently write code in VFP9SP2 with DBC and SQL Server (just started using MySQL) backends. I now want to also be able to program for the internet and would like VFP user's opinions.
>
>Which would you recommend. I am halfway thru a "How To" Java book. The OOP parts is familiar. The strong typing part is different but not that hard to grasp. I see the hardest part as learning the API's. I'm guessing that .Net is the same.
>
>Is choosing .Net over Java more like choosing Microsoft over other companies (nothing to do with writing programs)?
>
>Or .... Can anyone tell me if Java is better than .Net or visa versa and why?
>
>Or .... Is there another program out there that can compete with the above two?
>
>So far Java looks promising, but, I plan to purchase a VB.NET book also (or should I try C#?). Questions! Question! Questions! This is driving me crazy!!!
>
>TIA

Mal,
Any answer would be biased as mine is too:) After checking this and that things I decided to go with C# (classes are common to all .Net languages and syntax slightly differs between say VB.Net and C#.Net, meaning learning one you somewhat would be learning the other). Here there is a .Net forum. The people there are mostly from VFP and also might be still doing VFP as well (like me). When someone posts a question, the answer with sample code might be in VB or C#, knowing the poster cold easily translate to her/his language of choice.

For internet you're starting at a time where Silverlight 2.0 release is getting closer (and Novell is doing Moonlight for linux platforms) which would boost inet programming. That might be a great plus for .Net over Java (but I checked Java superficially, check yourself). Also .Net 3.0 and 3.5 is released, now you're starting at a time where LINQ (LanguageINtegratedQuery) is avaliable (querying anything that can be enumerated -not just the data- is cool).

What I like about .Net is that, SQL server itself supports the CLR (if you go with .Net that's what you'd be using daily in unofficial terms). I can easily create user defined functions, stored procedures, types ... for SQL server databases using C# and I love that capability (especially for complex things that I find very hard or inefficient to do with T-SQL). One drawback about it is, many hosting companies do not allow you to use the CLR with SQL server (... to them).

The IDE, though not very close, still is similar to what you know with VFP (drag&drop, set properies etc).

Anyway, Express versions for anything in .Net either from MS or 3rd party are for free to install and use:
msdn.microsoft.com/express (Web Builder,C#,VB,SQL server2005 and 2008 CTP...)
www.ideablade.com (Devforce framework)

For starter videos www.asp.net, www.learnvisualstudio.net, www.ideablade.com ... are just of a few places from tons of sources.

PS: You may be surprised to see you can create a (simple of course) web/desktop application for your VFP backend in less than 5 minutes. But I promise you that you'd have a lot of pain later - sounds familiar from a movie?:)
Between C# and VB, C# sounded to be the first class citizen or it was just an unjustice rumour from VB.Net users I don't know. If you think with ... endwith is crucial for you do not choose C#:)

Cetin