VBA or LISP?

[frostrap]

Hello all, I'm new to this forum, but it looks pretty active here, so I'm hoping I can get some good input!

I have what I consider a moderate background in VBA, primarily with Excel and Access. I am relatively new to Autocad, and am looking to learn the programming end of it.

Having some background in VBA and a very limited knowledge of Lisp, I would prefer to just learn VBA for Autocad rather than Lisp. That is unless there's a compelling reason to learn Lisp instead.

Which should I focus my attention on more? VBA or Lisp? What does VBA do that Lisp doesn't and vice verca?

Thoughts?

Thanks,

-Joe-

[PS_Port]

Here is a good article that may answer some of your questions.

http://www.afralisp.net/vba/api.htm

[frostrap]

That's exactly what I was looking for!

The company I'm working for is pretty involved with Lisp. The few people there who do program do it in Lisp, so that's probably the direction I'll go for the time being.

Lisp is a little confusing compared to VBA, but I think I'll be able to wrap my brain around it, especially as I get more involved with Autocad in general.

I'd still appreciate anybody else's opinions if you feel like giving your 2 cents.

Thanks PS_!

Joe

[Benson]

Why just VBA or Lisp? You will probably find yourself doing one of the two for a few years but eventually want to progress to a language that has MORE control over AutoCAD. I would suggest you either go for c#.net or VB.Net - they both have a better potential in the long term (Autodesk are not developing VBA any further and since a lot of the development team use .Net for AutoCAD it would seem that it's future is safer).

[frostrap]

Great input Benson!

Do you know of some good resources for exploring the connection between VB.Net and Autocad in more depth? I am relatively new to Autocad.

Joe

[SEANT]

In addition to this forum, www.swamp.org and http://discussion.autodesk.com have sections devoted to .Net development. You can also find an excellent video tutorial here:
http://through-the-interface.typepad...introduct.html

If you are using 2004 as stated in your profile, you will only have access to AutoCAD through the COM interface – essentially the same connection one finds with VBA. Autocad versions 2005 through Present offer progressively increasing .Net support and, from the general consensus, will get most of Autodesk’s development attention (as opposed to Lisp or VBA) from now on.

[nauggie]

****EDIT*** Oops just realised he is on 2004 so information below is prob useless to him!

Get Autocad tutorials on this page:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...&siteID=123112

Official forums for help:

http://discussion.autodesk.com/forum.jspa?forumID=152

Sharpdevelop or Visual Express 2008

http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/
http://www.microsoft.com/express/

If you use Express 2008 which has no real time debugging function then I recommend this program that gives you that option and a few other good extras: (Need at least Autocad 2006)

http://www.codeplex.com/dotnetarx/Re...ReleaseId=8881