Hello- I have been trying to learn C++ and all the while Im saying to my self, "self, why dosent anyone want to make a game in Visual Basic." So as this is a delema to me I still do not know the answer. I can make make many types of games in visual basic yet why dosent any one talk about useing Visual Basic for games. It is a farly simple programing tool that is based off the old Basic command set. I guess it is partaly the slow speed and low graphics abilitys, but if your makeing something that does not need all of that why not use it? This is almost a poll question so state your opinions and if need be you can bash me into C++ submission if you fell very strongly about it. Im not trying to put up a fight, I was just wondering why it is not used. Thanks if you respond, It could help me on some ways to improve my existing games or why its so important to move on to C++. Thanks again! -VBdestroyer

people do you use VB. You can program games in it.. there is no definitive arguement here. Just flame material for this sites users. If you feel more comfortable using VB then fine, as far as I am aware not a lot of professional games use it (if any), but you use it. Seriously consider C++ if you want to create games professionaly, but otherwise, use what you want.

I personally use C++, and am happy with that choice, but that comes from the fact I have never tried using VB. So, use what you like.. see what you can create.

=*=
If things seem bad, think that they can get a whole load worse, and they don''t seem so bad anymore

=*=

There are several reasons that I find when I choose to program in C++ over VB.

The graphics libraries such as openGL and DirectX are more logically implemented using C++. The calling functions, syntax, and workings of these API''s are just more genereally suited for the C++ language and the powerful use of classes.

As for game development, because of the OO abilities of C++, it makes it wonderful to model objects and systems in computer programs. The ability to use classes (responsibly) is a great asset to the development of games and something that until VB.NET was really lacking (maybe it still is). Other features of the language that are not easily implemented in VB include inheritance and pointers, both of which are critical for making reusable code and passing data efficiently.

Finally, some people believe that there are performance gains by using C++. With VB, there is some overhead because of the way in which the inner workings are setup, however, I don''t know if this is really that significant in the end.

Overall, C++ has design, power, implementation, and speed on its side.

Brendan

VB is a valid language to use in developing games. You have to take a grain of salt with this statement, and that grain is, don''t expect to develop the latest and greatest 3D FPS, etc. etc. etc. But, you CAN develop a good game in VB.

Another salty grain to take is regarding the OO capabilities of VB. Unless you''re using VB.NET (which I haven''t had time to get into yet) you will NOT be able to do true, robust OO development in VB. In fact, you''ll likely develop very bad habits through VB, so learn OO in C++ (read Design Patterns) and do your best in VB.

Also, check out Jonathan Harbour''s book Game Programing in Visual Basic Using DirectX. Very nice!

-Kirk

hehe me oso doing a vb real time system game required by my lecturer

Regards
Michael

Hello-
I am fully aware of the lacking architecture built around 3d graphics, but im ok with that. I am still going to learn C++ but I think as im learning im going to work on a project or two with VB. I only have VB 6 so im not going to learn any bad 00 habits from .net, I cant afford .net any ways, thanks for the sugjestion though. It helps me out when people tell me these things becaouse i do not alway relize that they are as noticable as some of my friends tell me thay are. This also lets me know so I can stay away from the languages drop points and focus on its places were it has outstanding abilitys like the fact that after the program is completed it makes a nice easy button look that is easy for the consumer to understand your program. I do also like the fact that you do not have to create the face of the project through the script. Thank you again for the imput.
-VBdestroyer

I''d hate to discourage you but I really really strongly advise you to thrown your copy of visual basic as far away as possible. Break it and burn up the pieces!!!

Now, I''m not sure how old you are or what you are planning on doing for a career (or if you have one) so just ignore me if you want. But VB is like so many things, a quick fix for things. At my work, we have a piece of configuration software for our Realtime computers, this piece of software is written in VB and has got so messed up with multiple people writing it that it has become a pile of crap!! It started out because the old owner of the company wanted something fast and soon and now, five years down the track we are left with an unmanagable piece of crap that I am starting to rewrite in C#.

From a personal point of view, I am 23, I started programming on c64''s using basic and regrettably stayed with VB right through high school. That is the only regret I have in life. I dabbled in c and c++ but kept going back to Basic or VB cause I could get things on the screen quicker. How wrong I was and I wish I could start that again.!!

Trust me, If you cant get into c++ try Java. It''ll teach you the fundamentals of good Object orientated design and you will be a much better programmer because of it.

Also, I have yet to see a game job advertising VB as their primarly language. It is rubbish. I hate it vehemonatly.

Good luck, and if you need help in coding c/c++ just post.

VB is great. I started learning programming using basic... but... if you need to do things quickly, it is as effective as maple syrup in a freezer. You can use tricks to speed it up, but only if you are using external stuff written in a faster language.

If you're making a chess game, then it will be just fine.

VB.NET has a very large speed increase, since it actually compiles and optimizes now, but the language looks a LOT different.

As you get more and more speed needy, you can also learn the C family. C++ is there for raw power and speed. C# is almost as powerful and speedy, and is a lot easier for Windows stuff. C and C++ are very closely interchangable, but C# has many differences.

So far, Direct3D is about the same difficulty to code in C# and C++, just a few less initializer functions in C#.

Oh yeah... and you people new to C don't even NEED to learn the dreaded "pointers" in C#.

[edited by - Nypyren on January 16, 2003 5:02:06 AM]

Benchmark tests done between C++ and VB by Visual Basic Programmers Journal for all data types a few years back showed that only Strings and Variants were slow compared to other data types. VB6 compiles to native code and despite the dependency on MSVBVM60.dll, run just fine with regards to speed.

Regarding graphical operations, the internal routines in VB are slow as syrup (to steal the analogy), but by simply using the Win32 API which is not that difficult to figure out you can get an amazing speed up. Jonathan Harbour''s book has a fantastic program which does just that and shows the difference in speed.

As for the comments of gommo, I''ve had to maintain code written by multiple people in VB, C++, Fortran, and C. If you don''t follow reasonable design principles, you can screw up any language. VB6 is a pain because it is no very OO at all. Even C++ is not fully OO like SmallTalk. I will agree, however, that C++ has much greater potential for quality.

The take home message that I want to convey is that yes, you can program in VB and make a decent game. A Tetris, Chess, Pong, Mario Brothers, R-Type, and even Doom type game is very possible. But, realize that design is the first and I would argue the most important step. You''ll have to jump through some hoops to get a reasonable design with any language. Finally, don''t stop trying to learn C++. You''ll be very glad to did!!

-Kirk

I''ve been programming in VB for a little over four years and I recently (about 5 months ago) started learning c++. I still use VB all the time for programming tools and other apps but I use C++ for things which need to have no runtimes or for games. I found it to be much faster than VisualBasic was.