title: String manipulation with & or + in VB.NET
body: <p>I have seen several programmers use <code>&amp;</code> and <code>+</code> for string manipulation. </p>
  
  <p>Such as:  </p>
  
  <pre><code>dim firstvar as string
  dim secondvar as string
  dim thirdvar as string
  
  thirdvar = firstvar &amp; secondvar
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Or is it:</p>
  
  <pre><code>thirdvar = firstvar + secondvar
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Does it matter? If so, why?</p>