Hello everyone

[XL-Dennis]

Hi all :hi:

I just wanted to say hello as this is one of my first visits for a longer period.

Initially I thought I would to a poll to see the interest of .NET and VSTO in the group of developers that frequently visit VBA Express. But I decided to just be social :beerchug:

All the very best.

[TrippyTom]

Perhaps I'm late in the game, but I've always had an interest in both these subjects... is .net dying? (omg did I open a can of worms?)

Anyway, I even bought a VSTO book (advertised on mrexcel.com) but it didn't seem to help me at all. It all seemed to go over my head.

I use 2003 at work, so I've kept 2003 on my laptop at home, but I have 2007 on my main pc and both my macs (imac and air). I'm one of those strange hybrid users - veering more and more toward mac every day though. But that's sad, because mac doesn't support vba. I haven't even looked into scripting on the mac; I'm kind of afraid to be disappointed if it's not as useful as vba is.

Sorry if I veered off-topic...

[mdmackillop]

But I decided to just be social :beerchug:
Social is good :thumb and hopefully you'll find some interested members.

Regards
Malcolm

[XL-Dennis]

TT,

VSTO is a complex and advanced development platform and as such it is very different to VBA. As long as VBA can meet the requirements then there is no explicit need to start with VSTO.

I have spent the last 2-3 years specializing in .NET and VSTO and based on my experience the steps should be:
1. Learn VB.NET and develop Windows Forms applications as well as console application.
2. Learn how to work with managed COM add-ins in VB.NET and based on the Shared Add-in template.
3. Learn VSTO and be prepared to spend considerable time how to deploy VSTO solutions.

A good news is that the second edition of "Professional Excel Development" will includes three chapters that cover the above steps. Why I know this is quite simple; I have written them myself and I'm responsible for the second edtion together with Rob, Stephen and John.
Ross has recently made an interview which You can read here: PED (Professional Excel Development) Second Edition!! (http://www.blog.methodsinexcel.co.uk/2009/03/15/ped-professional-excel-development-second-edition/)

Malcom,



Social is good :thumb and hopefully you'll find some interested members.


Well, let's see if someone still remember who I am ;)

[Tommy]

Hi Dennis, :hi:

Long time no see. I am in the process of learning VB.NET. I have learned how to write a DXF file that Autocad can read without complaining! I have done this before in 3 other launguages but this is the first one to do from scratch, it is all in a class. It will draw lines, circles and text so far. By the end of next week I hope to have blocks in the program! I have also learned (very little) about encoding of files.

Look forward to seeing more info on your experience with .NET!

[Zack Barresse]

Of course we remember who you are! :D

Good to see you around the boards, Dennis. :)

[XL-Dennis]

Tommy :)



I have learned how to write a DXF file that Autocad can read without complaining!


Sounds as You have managed to get beyond the "Hello World" message in VB.NET. So You can automate some tasks in AutoCad with VB.NET?

Zack :)
Thanks mate! I'm trying to remember VBA after I have spent most of my time with .NET.

Take care and all the best.

[Tommy]

So You can automate some tasks in AutoCad with VB.NET?



Yes, there are a lot more steps to go through than with VB6 but once you get a handle on it it goes a lot smoother.