Visual Basic Software Development

Q: Why would I choose to have my software product developed using Visual Basic? What makes this particular language an attractive choice?

A: Visual Basic is a "rapid application development" language created by Microsoft. It was originally created to simplify the development of software products. Before VB, software developers primarily used C++ to develop applications for the Windows platform. C++ is an incredible language for software development, but it requires a substantially larger time investment than is required for the same software developed in Visual Basic. To put it simply...

Visual Basic can significantly reduce the cost of your software project.

Q: How do I find a good Visual Basic developer? How can I know that my investment will result in the successful completion of my project?

A: Visual Basics developers can be found throughout the world. Due to the popularity and efficiency of the language, there are millions of Visual Basic developers. Finding a "good" Visual Basic developer is somewhat more difficult. As a senior-level developer in many organizations over the last 15 years, I have interviewed individuals for various positions, including software developers. Just because someone includes a programming language on their resume doesn't automatically qualify them as a developer in that language. Years of on-the-job training under highly-skilled senior developers is necessary to really master a language. You should look for someone with a lengthy career with successfully completed projects developed in the language of choice. Hiring an entry-level developer will not necessarily reduce your cost. I have witnessed many poorly implemented and failed projects that ending up costing more than the cost of hiring a skilled developer. A skilled developer can improve the quality of the product, cut the completion time, and reduce the overall cost of the product. There are long-terms costs as well due to ongoing maintenance. A poorly planned and developed product will cost many times more than a professionally engineered product over its lifetime.

Good Visual Basic developers will gladly demonstrate their skills before asking you to make a financial commitment. They will welcome the challenge.

Q: How much will it cost to hire a good Visual Basic developer?

A: This is a very good question, but not one that can be answered easily. The truth is that you will likely be able to find good Visual Basic developers that charge a variety of hourly rates. You may be able to find someone that will bill you at a rate of $25 per hour, and you wil see developers that charge as much as $150 per hour or more. You may even find lower rates quoted by organizations that outsource your project to lower paid workers outside of the United States. When choosing a developer, you will need to find one that provides an estimate that falls well within your budget requirements, and you will want to ask for customer references to learn more about their ability to achieve the desired results.

A good Visual Basic developer will work to ensure the success of your project. The cost of a good developer will pay for itself in the results you obtain.

Q: How can I help to ensure the success of my software project?

A: It's an undeniable truth that many software projects fail. There are numerous reasons for these failures, but the primary causes are:

• Poorly defined requirements
• Lack of "ownership" by the client
• Unrealistic expectations
• Constant changes to requirements
• Inexperienced developers

Notice that all but the last item lie in the client's area of responsibility. A good developer will help to work through issues, such as poorly defined requirements, to help improve the potential for success. A good developer will also attempt to solidify the requirements to prevent constant changes that result in a never-ending project. But the successful completion of a software project requires support and input from the client. Without this vital communuication, a software project will either fail completely or simply fail to live up to its full potential.

A good developer can successfully complete your software project as long as the requirements have been clearly established and the project owner (you or your representative) is available to answer questions and provide feedback.

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