Free VB.NET (standard edition) from Microsoft 20

[Terpsfan]

.NET has always been free, just not in the IDE. I'm not sure why any sane individual would want to program in the SDK environment, but there are those who might take to it. The problem with the Standard edition is that it doesn't give the usual developer all of the capabilities that you would like. All said, it seemed to be a fairly nice gesture on Microsoft's part, while it lasted.

The other problem with the SDK is that you have to write out the code yourself for EVERYTHING - which I don't really mind but Microsoft seems to like writing out hundreds of lines of code in .NET for you as you drop something like a calendar control on your form. Pretty soon all they will need are monkeys to write applications. Perhaps that is what Microsoft is aiming for with the IDE.

I suppose I'm one of the dummies who forked out $550 for the Visual Studio.NET 2003 Upgrade. All said, you get some goodies with it you don't get with the SDK, like the Crystal Reports designer, ability to design database objects on the fly in the IDE, etc.

 

[CubeE101]

The other problem with the SDK is that you have to write out the code yourself for EVERYTHING

Did you look at the #Develop IDE, dilettante and I referred to, above?

That works, just like the Visual Studio SDK, BUT IT"S FREE!!!

I use #Develop at home, but I already ordered VS.NET 2003 at work, so I'll just wait for that.

Plus, I don't think there are any legal issues, but just in case I would like to stick with the original at work... (Plus it's the Pro Version)

Since I don't use it commercially at home, I don't see anything wrong with using the free version (#Develop) ;-)

PLUS, it IS open source, so you can download the source and add stuff to the IDE if you wish too... (just don't forget to release changes to the open public...)

Have Fun, Be Young... Code BASIC
-Josh

http://cubee.topcities.com

PROGRAMMER: Red-eyed, mumbling mammal capable of conversing with inanimate objects.

 

[ZOR]

Does the #Develop IDE SherpDevelop have any ADO bits / Communicate with Access tables etc, possible examples. Looks very daunting crossing over from VB6 to .Net
Wonder also if there is a dummy guide, ie Do this with VB, you do this in .Net. Thanks

 

[Terpsfan]

Wow, I must have missed his post. If only I had known about it a few years ago.

Since we are talking free here, I would like to add that if you like using MSDE 2000 as a free backend alternative to SQL Server, but are annoyed at it's lack of a security interface, this link includes a download of the SQL Server Web Data Administrator. It's a GUI tool written in ASP.NET that has the look and feel of Enterprise Manager.

Web Data Administrator requires:

Microsoft SQL Server 7 SP2 or later (latest version of msde 2000 will do)
Microsoft .NET SDK or Microsoft Visual Studio .NET
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) -- optional, a portable web server* is also distributed with the project


To download MSDE 2000 with all the latest patches as well as the web data administrator:

http://www.microsoft.com/sql/msde/