What is the Difference Between Visual Basic and Visual C++

The main difference between Visual Basic and Visual C++ is that Visual Basic is an Object Oriented Programming Language while Visual C++ is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Visual Basic is a user-friendly programming language developed by Microsoft. The final version of it was Visual Basic 6.0 before the release of Visual Basic .NET. On the other hand, Visual C++ is an IDE specifically designed to write and debug C++ programs. Visual C++ is a part of Visual Studio IDE.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Visual Basic
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is Visual C++
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is the Difference Between Visual Basic and Visual C++
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

IDE, OOP, Visual Basic, Visual C++

What is Visual Basic

Visual Basic is an object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft. It is based on the BASIC programming. Moreover, Visual Basic supports various data types including Boolean, Byte, Char, Date, Decimal, Double, Integer, Long, Short, and String.

Since it supports object-oriented programming, everything in Visual Basic is an object. All objects inherit from the base class Object. Furthermore, this language allows implementing OOP concepts such as Encapsulation, and Inheritance. The programmer can use classes, objects, constructors, destructor, etc. in his program. Moreover, Visual Basic provides features such as file, exception and event handling. It also allows accessing databases via Visual Basic programs.

What is Visual C++

Visual C++ is an IDE developed by Microsoft that supports C++ language. Originally, it was a standalone product, but later it became a part of Visual Studio. It mainly supports developing and debugging of C++ code.

Many applications require redistributable Visual C++ runtime library packages to function correctly. These packages are installed independently of applications. Therefore, multiple applications can use these packages after installing only once. The Visual C++ redistributable and runtime packages are commonly installed for standard libraries that many applications use.

What is the Difference Between Visual Basic and Visual C++

Definition

Visual Basic is a third-generation event-driven programming language from Microsoft for its Component Object Model (COM) programming model whereas Visual C++ is an IDE product from Microsoft to develop C++ programs. Thus, this is the main difference between Visual Basic and Visual C++.

Usage

Visual Basic allows object-oriented programming, supports Rapid Application Development (RAD) of Graphical User Interface (GUI) applications, provide access to databases, and supports web programming. On the other hand, Visual C++ allows developing and debugging C++ programs. Hence, this is another difference between Visual Basic and Visual C++.

Conclusion

In brief, Visual Basic refers to a programming language while Visual C++ refers to an IDE. The main difference between Visual Basic and Visual C++ is that Visual Basic is an Object Oriented Programming Language while Visual C++ is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

Reference:

1. “Visual Basic.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Dec. 2018, Available here.
2. “Microsoft Visual C .” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Dec. 2018, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “906838”(CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Microsoft Visual C++ 2.0” by Luigi Rosa (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr