My opinion (I don't know VB): If you want to have real low-level control, than there's no tool like VC++. It gives you direct access to all Win32 API, including all structures, constants, etc via the header files.

As for databases... VFP it's THE tool.

As for now, I consider that the best combination is VFP as the main app language and VC++ for building ActiveX controls that can give real control over anything inside PC.

VB has no real inheritance, so, no real OOP, IMHO. This makes it a very good tool for those who have never used inheritance in OO. But if you used it... VB may be good only when there's no need for it. :) <- Somehow kidding...

Vlad

>I am looking for an alternative to VFP for more direct control of the PCs (ie registry, monitoring, etc) and am not sure whether to go for VB or VC++. I have written some apps (some years ago) in C but know little about VB. I have both packages. Would VB be more geared to what I want but also hang to the database programming side? Which would harbor most support? Which would be quickest to learn (I am self-taught everything)? Any comments?