visual basic express or visual studio professiona? which one?

I'm a developer who has downloaded vb express and sql server express for my home computer. I wanted to know if I should break down and buy visual studio 2005 professional or should I just stick with the express version of vb. My funds are very limited and my skills as a windows developer are still emerging. I'm not yet a great windows developer. I will use vb/sql express for personal projects and learning and possible small business applications.Bottom line.. will the express version do for me instead of professional version Although I haven't used the class designer, it would be nice to use it if I need to and express has no class designer or object bench test. On the other hand, I'm not at the level where I would think I need it as yet. Again, I'm not the greatest developer yet(but hoping to one day).I've seen the breakdown comparison between express and professional vb but I still can't decide. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

BAE

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visual basic express or visual studio professiona? which one?

Wills98155

Stick with Express until you're experienced. I have express only and there is not a single feature that I miss (except for the other deployment methods.) If you really need the non-clickonce deployment, go ahead and buy pro, but I reccomend that you just buy standard edition.

ComputerGuru
randywheeler
I would suggest sticking with express until a time comes when you will need the professional version. You might want to spend some time with express until you develop good skills. You would be suprised how much you can do with just the express version.
lehayes
If i were you i would stick with visual basic express edition. Its the perfect tool for beginning developers. if you read the decription for VBE it has everything needed for people developing small business and personal applications and its definitly powerful enough for anything youll use it for. Bottom line, professional is an added expense for features you will use rarely or never and in your case it not worth upgrading despite what other people may tell you.
Cory Nguyen
As I stated "Stick with Express until you're experienced. I have express only and there is not a single feature that I miss".
Edwin Vermeer - EVICT.nl

"I have express only and there is not a single feature that I miss"

Computer Guru.... how does an experienced programmer survive without a call stack
AngelManzano
So I think the general opinion is that you can user the Express edition until you need a feature that isnt there which will probably be fairly soon if you start getting into VB development.

ReneeC details some interesting features which would warrant a Pro version but if you not yet experienced enough to be using these features it may be a little bit of a waste of money. I'm sure that eventually you will require some of the advanced features and then at that point you can splash some cash and buy either the Pro version.

Why spend the extra money now on features which you may never use or may use in the long run.
baroqueimpressionist

I'd recommend the following.

I'd go ahead and get pro for several reasons.

VBE has only "click-once" deployment. My preference is for the other deployment methods.

VBE has not call stack. You mention that you are growing. When you get to the point that you feel you really need a call stack you're ready for standard or Professional.
visual basic express or visual studio professiona? which one?

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