I have programmed the PC ends of the communications links to embedded products a multitude of times. I know and have used each of Visual C++/Windows programming, Visual Basic/Windows programming, Borland C/DOS programming, and x86 Assembler/DOS. Each environment has its distinct advantages for the hostware to support the embedded product. I will come right out and say it is rediculous to flat out declare that one is better than the other based upon perceived programming discipline!!! In the instances where I have used Visual Basic it was done in consideration of various factors including:

1) Length of time to complete project
2) Ability of customer to support changes in code
3) Capability for customer to re-compile code as the OS migration path happens.

So you see, the solution is one of providing the RIGHT answer, ON TIME, in a way the customer can use it and it gets DONE.

Michael Karas