Why learn VB.NET programming nowadays?

Learnig VB.NET can be an excellent way to build a strong foundation in programming skills, wich you can apply to more popular languages as VBA, C#, Python and even more complex languages. Its clear and organized syntax makes it easier to understand the basic concepts of programming logic and program structure. Since VB.NET fully supports Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and allows the development of standalone and complex applications, it prepares you well for transitioning to VBA, with which it shares syntax but is geared toward the Office environment, and also for C#, which uses the same .NET platform but offers more modern and robust features, along with a steeper learning curve.

History of Visual Basic

Visual Basic evolved from an earlier language called BASIC (Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), created in the 1960s with the goal of being easy to learn. The "Visual" version emerged to take advantage of the popularity of the Windows operating system and simplified software creation for that environment.

First released in 1991, VB quickly became popular among programmers who needed to build software for Windows, especially due to its ease of connecting the graphical interface with code. This helped developers create business applications, management systems, and more in a simpler and more efficient way.

In the 2000s, Microsoft introduced the .NET Framework, a new platform that supported multiple programming languages and modernized software development. Alongside .NET, Microsoft launched Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET), a more modern version of VB that retained its basic syntax but was designed for use within the .NET platform.

However, with the rise of more modern and flexible languages like C#, also from Microsoft, interest in VB began to wane. There are several key reasons for its decline:

• Competition from more versatile languages: Languages like C# and Java became more widely used due to their performance and capabilities. C# emerged as Microsoft’s primary language for .NET application development, being more powerful and flexible than VB.
• Less evolution and support: Microsoft shifted its focus to C# and other modern languages, while Visual Basic, especially the classic VB (pre-.NET), did not evolve significantly. This led the programming community to migrate to more actively developed languages.
• Shift in the software development landscape: The focus of software development has changed considerably. Today, there is greater demand for web, mobile, and cloud computing applications, whereas Visual Basic is geared toward desktop environments. Languages like JavaScript, Python, Java, and C# became more prominent in these contexts.
• Popularity of easier and more versatile languages: Languages like Python and JavaScript gained immense popularity due to their simplicity, versatility, and vast array of available libraries. This attracted new programmers and companies to adopt them over VB.

Today, Visual Basic has lost ground to other languages, but Microsoft continues to support VB.NET. Its update pace has been slow, as much of the new development on the .NET platform focuses on C#.

Still, a good reason to learn VB.NET is its proximity to VBA - Visual Basic for Applications. VBA is a language developed by Microsoft and used in various software, such as Excel and Word. It is primarily employed to create macros—tools that automate tasks like text revision, spreadsheet formatting, and report generation. Other software, such as AutoCAD, SAP, etc., also use VBA.

Another compelling reason is that learning VB.NET can be an excellent starting point for those who want to grow as programmers. The language offers a gentle learning curve without sacrificing a solid foundation in programming, laying the groundwork for learning other languages—a valuable skill in an ever-evolving field like software development. By learning VB.NET, you’ll develop skills such as:

• Programming logic: Learning to think logically and structurally is essential for any programmer. VB.NET helps you build this skill with a smoother learning curve than other languages.
• Algorithms: By creating algorithms in VB.NET, you’ll learn to solve problems efficiently, a critical skill in any programming language.
• Object orientation: Object-oriented programming is a widely used paradigm across many languages. Mastering this concept in VB.NET prepares you to learn other languages that use it.
• Data structures: VB.NET provides various data structures, such as arrays, lists, and dictionaries, which are common in other languages.

Visual Basic was a highly significant language for programming because it helped democratize software development, enabling many people without heavy technical backgrounds to create useful applications. However, more modern and flexible languages like Python, JavaScript, and C# have become more popular. That said, the fundamentals of programming have a gentler learning curve in VB.NET, which remains a flexible and feature-rich language. Thus, studying Visual Basic continues to be an excellent option for those looking to develop their programming skills, or even for those who simply want to automate tasks with VBA or build simple applications without relying on pre-made code, as seen in no-code and low-code solutions.