VB vs. C — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on December 14, 2023

VB is a programming language often used for Windows development, while C is a general-purpose language foundational to many systems.

Difference Between VB and C

Key Differences

VB, short for Visual Basic, is an object-oriented programming language developed by Microsoft. It is primarily known for its role in developing Windows applications using a graphical user interface. On the other hand, C is a procedural programming language that has been around since the early 1970s. It's widely respected for its efficiency and portability.

VB provides a more user-friendly environment, especially for beginners. It offers drag-and-drop features that make it easier to design Windows forms and interfaces. C, in contrast, is more low-level and requires a deeper understanding of computer operations.

VB has been integrated into the .NET framework, leading to the evolution of VB.NET, which combines VB's ease with .NET's power and flexibility. C, while foundational, paved the way for other languages like C++, C#, and Objective-C, all of which expanded on C's capabilities.

In terms of performance, C often outperforms VB because it's closer to machine language. However, VB's advantage lies in rapid application development, making it a favorite for quickly designing and deploying Windows applications.

Lastly, VB's syntax is seen as more English-like, making it somewhat easier to read for those unfamiliar with programming. C, by contrast, has a more terse and symbolic syntax, which can be challenging but offers great control to the developer.

Comparison Chart

Origin

Developed by Microsoft

Developed in early 1970s by Dennis Ritchie

Paradigm

Object-Oriented

Procedural

Primary Use

Windows applications

Systems programming

Integration with .NET

Evolved into VB.NET

Led to languages like C++ and C#

Syntax Readability

More English-like and user-friendly

Terse and symbolic

Compare with Definitions

VB

VB stands for Visual Basic.

I started learning programming with VB.

C

C is known for its efficiency and portability.

We optimized the software's performance by writing it in C.

VB

VB is closely associated with Windows development.

She built her first Windows app using VB.

C

C is a foundational procedural programming language.

Many operating systems are written in C.

VB

VB is known for its drag-and-drop features.

Designing interfaces in VB is often intuitive.

C

C provides deep control over computer operations.

With C, you can directly manipulate memory using pointers.

VB

VB uses an object-oriented paradigm.

In VB, I learned how to work with classes and objects.

C

C's syntax is terse and symbolic.

Writing in C requires a keen understanding of its concise syntax.

VB

VB has a more English-like syntax.

Reading VB code feels somewhat like reading a sentence.

C

A widely used programming language.

VB

Abbreviation of verb

C

The third letter of the modern English alphabet.

C

Any of the speech sounds represented by the letter c.

C

The third in a series.

C

Something shaped like the letter C.

C

C The third best or third highest in quality or rank

A mark of C on a term paper.

C

The first tone in the scale of C major or the third tone in the relative minor scale.

C

A key or scale in which the tone of C is the tonic.

C

A written or printed note representing this tone.

C

A string, key, or pipe tuned to the pitch of this tone.

C

A widely used object-oriented programming language based on C.

C

Alternative form of c.

C

Alternative form of c.

C

C is the third letter of the English alphabet. It is from the Latin letter C, which in old Latin represented the sounds of k, and g (in go); its original value being the latter. In Anglo-Saxon words, or Old English before the Norman Conquest, it always has the sound of k. The Latin C was the same letter as the Greek

C

The keynote of the normal or "natural" scale, which has neither flats nor sharps in its signature; also, the third note of the relative minor scale of the same.

C

As a numeral, C stands for Latin centum or 100, CC for 200, etc.

C

A degree on the Centigrade scale of temperature

C

The speed at which light travels in a vacuum; the constancy and universality of the speed of light is recognized by defining it to be exactly 299,792,458 meters per second

C

One of the four nucleotides used in building DNA; all four nucleotides have a common phosphate group and a sugar (ribose)

C

A base found in DNA and RNA and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with guanine

C

An abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds

C

Ten 10s

C

A unit of electrical charge equal to the amount of charge transferred by a current of 1 ampere in 1 second

C

A general-purpose programing language closely associated with the UNIX operating system

C

The 3rd letter of the Roman alphabet

C

Street names for cocaine

C

Being ten more than ninety

C

C has influenced many subsequent languages.

Languages like C++ and C# have roots in C.

Common Curiosities

Is VB.NET an evolution of VB?

Yes, VB.NET is an evolution of VB, integrating it with the .NET framework.

Which language is more beginner-friendly, VB or C?

VB is often considered more beginner-friendly due to its English-like syntax and graphical development environment.

Is C older than VB?

Yes, C was developed in the early 1970s, while VB was introduced by Microsoft in the late 1980s.

Which language is faster in execution, VB or C?

C typically offers faster execution due to its low-level nature.

What does VB stand for?

VB stands for Visual Basic.

Is VB primarily for Windows development?

Yes, VB has been closely associated with Windows application development.

Are there modern versions or successors to C?

Yes, languages like C++, C#, and Objective-C have roots in C.

Do both VB and C support object-oriented programming?

VB supports object-oriented programming. C, being procedural, doesn't inherently support OOP, but object-oriented concepts can be implemented in C.

Can C be used for web development?

While C can be used for web-related tasks, it's not the typical choice for modern web development.

Is C used for systems programming?

Yes, C is widely used for systems programming, especially in operating systems.

Is C case-sensitive?

Yes, C is a case-sensitive language.

Which has a richer standard library, VB or C?

VB, especially VB.NET, has a rich standard library as part of the .NET framework. C has a standard library, but it's more limited in comparison.

Is the learning curve steeper for VB or C?

C generally has a steeper learning curve due to its lower-level operations and terse syntax.

Can VB be used outside the Windows ecosystem?

While VB was closely tied to Windows, VB.NET, its successor, can be used cross-platform with tools like .NET Core.

Can I develop mobile apps with VB or C?

VB.NET can be used for mobile app development with tools like Xamarin. C isn't typically used for mobile app development, but its derivatives like C++ and Objective-C are.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.