Re: MDL using C++ VS. MVBA

MicroStation Development Languages

This article discusses MicroStation Development Languages.

Aldrin Almia:

I'm trying to learn MDL using C++

Are you already fluent with C or C++?  If not, you've chosen the hardest route to learn MDL.

You should be able to write C++ programs before attempting to start writing MicroStation applications using MDL or the MicroStationAPI.

Aldrin Almia:

What is the difference between MDL and MVBA?

MicroStation VBA is a rapid application development (RAD) tool.  It's easy to learn, use and debug.  It covers 80% of what most people want when creating a MicroStation application.

The MicroStation Development Library (MDL) is a C-style library.  It can be used in applications written in C or C++.  It covers 95% of what most people want when creating a MicroStation application.

The MicroStationAPI is a C++ interface.  It complements MDL — it does not replace MDL.  New developments in MicroStation tends to be reflected by new interfaces in the MicroStationAPI.  Together, MDL and the MicroStationAPI cover 100% of developer needs.

International Standards vs. Industrial Standards

VBA is a Microsoft industrial standard.  It is widely available in Microsoft applications (e.g. Word, Excel etc.) and a short list of applications from third-parties such as Bentley Systems.  If your programming horizons don't extend beyond Windows, VBA's lack of support in other operating systems probably doesn't matter.

C and C++ are international standards.  Compilers and linkers are available from many vendors, including Microsoft.  They are supported on many platforms and operating systems.  If your programming horizons include non-Windows computing then C and C++ will be attractive development tools.