   Same old question (need some advice)
  I want to ask an important question. But before that let me tell ya something about me. I am in "HardCore Business Studies" & Martial Arts but at the same time I want to learn programming too. I started to learn C++ few days before and kind a like it too. But I realized that my learning speed is too slow well terribly slow. usually what happens is, I study my paper "Audit and Assurance Services" for few hours then goto martial arts training after that I come to C++. which also takes a lot of energy too & at the end of the day I feel my head is going to blast. I think I should move to vb.net which is easier to learn.... Before you answer this I should tell you that:I am not(never) going to start career in software programming. Mostly I am interested in artificial intelligence. wanna do research (you know, working on crazy stuff, new ideas). considering my current situation which path i should take (I hope you people understand that its not c++ vs vb.net question. I just need an honest advice)   
  C++ can be pretty intimidating to new programmers.  If you were serious about getting into a programming career I'd tell you to stick with it or try C#.  Since you're not, why not try something more accessible?  I haven't tried Python but many people here suggest it.  You could also try something like FreeBasic which is compiled (fast) and VERY, VERY easy to learn.  Plus, FreeBasic works with a lot of third party libraries (Lua, Ogre3D, ODE, etc) if you want to get into some fancy stuff and not have to do a lot of coding to accomplish it.As for VB.NET, if you're thinking of learning a .NET language and you're already trying to tackle C++, I'd suggest trying C#.  IMO, it's a much better language overall and, I personally, tend to finish things about 10 times faster in C# even though I've been using C++ for years.  However, C# crosses the line from hobbyist to professional.  If this is something that you're doing just as a hobby, I'd take the route that allows you to get from concept to product as quickly as possible.  FreeBasic will allow you to get things done without having to worry about all the "details".  I assume Python would probably do the same for you with the way so many people rave about it around here (been meaning to try it out myself).To sum things up, my overall suggestion would be to go C# if nothing else.  It's advanced, fixes many of the things that made C++ difficult and puts you in a better position if you should ever decide that you want to take programming beyond a hobby.  C++ is pretty hardcore and can be frustrating.  From what you're saying it doesn't sound like it's the right fit for what you're trying to do.  You have MUCH easier options.   ;  I forget to mention  I am not totally new to programing. I have solid understanding of basic concepts. I think when it comes to artificial intelligence C# would be a better idea because lot of help & tutorials available (just like C++) that's not the case with vb.net. Why most of the time people prefer C# over vb.net even though they run on same .Net platform?   ;Quote:Original post by fungseiyukI forget to mention  I am not totally new to programing. I have solid understanding of basic concepts. I think when it comes to artificial intelligence C# would be a better idea because lot of help & tutorials available (just like C++) that's not the case with vb.net. Why most of the time people prefer C# over vb.net even though they run on same .Net platform?I haven't played with VB.NET but I have with VB6 and I think C# is a lot cleaner.  It's well organized and consistent.  But I'm still new to C# too.   ;  Since .NET, the lines between VB and C# are very blurred.  I think it's mainly a choice of syntax at this point.  Then again, I don't use VB.NET unless I have to so I'm far from being an expert.  Converting yourself from C# to C++ or vice-versa isn't hard at all.  With that in mind, I always suggest C# over VB.NET.  I look at it as a matter of flexibility.EDIT:  Oh, and after years of C++, writing C# just gives me a case of the giggles.  Yes, it's that much better. =D   