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Visual Basic vs Visual Studio: What are the differences?
Key Differences between Visual Basic and Visual Studio
Visual Basic and Visual Studio are both widely used in software development, but they serve different purposes and have distinct features that set them apart. Here are the key differences between Visual Basic and Visual Studio:
Language vs. Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Visual Basic is a programming language, while Visual Studio is an integrated development environment. Visual Basic provides a language for developers to create software solutions, while Visual Studio provides a comprehensive set of tools, including Visual Basic, to write, debug, and deploy applications.
Target Platforms: Visual Basic can be used to build applications that run on the Microsoft .NET Framework, while Visual Studio enables development for a variety of platforms. With Visual Studio, developers can create applications for Windows, Android, iOS, web, and cloud-based environments, among others.
Application Type: Visual Basic is primarily used for creating desktop applications, including Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) applications. On the other hand, Visual Studio supports a broader range of application types, including web applications, mobile apps, games, and cloud-based services.
Extensibility: Visual Basic has limited extensibility options compared to Visual Studio. While Visual Basic allows developers to create custom controls and add-ins, Visual Studio offers a more extensive ecosystem with a wide range of extensions, plugins, and third-party tools that enhance productivity and add functionality to the development environment.
Multi-Language Support: Visual Basic supports only the Visual Basic programming language, whereas Visual Studio supports multiple programming languages including C#, C++, F#, and many others. Visual Studio provides a multi-language environment, allowing developers to work with different languages within the same IDE and seamlessly integrate code written in different languages.
Integrated Tools and Services: Visual Studio offers a rich set of built-in tools and services that enhance the development process. These include code analysis, version control integration, testing frameworks, debugging tools, performance profiling, and cloud integration. Visual Basic, being a language, does not provide these built-in tools and services that are available in Visual Studio.
In Summary, Visual Basic is a programming language used for desktop application development on the .NET Framework, while Visual Studio is a comprehensive development environment that supports multiple programming languages and various application types across different platforms. Visual Studio offers a broader range of features, extensibility options, and integrated tools compared to Visual Basic.
The problem I have is whether to choose Android Studio or Visual Studio? I have to develop a simple app for a school project that can work on both iPhone and Android.
The most important factors for me are Android and iOS compatibility. Although note that i would like to become a Software Engineer when i finish my course. (I'd like to work for Apple, just saying!)
After that id like easy integration for Google Ads and such if i do develop another app that people actually use to support development. (I'd also like to stick with one easy programming language that's compatible with a wide variety of platforms since i'm a beginner and have only ever used Pascal)
First of all - Android Studio and Visual Studio are IDE's. Tools to create code. What you are asking is programming framework. I assume that when you are talking about Android Studio you mean Native Android Development and by Visual Studio you mean Xamarin.
If you want to create crossplatform app then Native Android Development is NOT a way to go. Xamarin might work for you, BUT - you'd rather recommend you to go with Flutter. It's much more performant than Xamarin, programming model is friendlier for developer and technology seems just more refined. It's also officially supported by google, so no worries about support.
Pros of Visual Basic
- ALGOL-like syntax makes code more readable5
- XML Literals3
Pros of Visual Studio
- Intellisense, ui305
- Complete ide and debugger244
- Plug-ins165
- Integrated104
- Documentation93
- Fast37
- Node tools for visual studio (ntvs)35
- Free Community edition33
- Simple24
- Bug free17
- Made by Microsoft8
- Full free community version6
- JetBrains plugins (ReSharper etc.) work sufficiently OK5
- Productivity Power Tools3
- Vim mode2
- VIM integration2
- I develop UWP apps and Intellisense is super useful1
- Cross platform development1
- The Power and Easiness to Do anything in any.. language1
- Available for Mac and Windows1
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Cons of Visual Basic
- Specific to the microsoft platform4
Cons of Visual Studio
- Bulky16
- Made by Microsoft14
- Sometimes you need to restart to finish an update6
- Too much size for disk3
- Only avalible on Windows3