It's interesting to see how VB.NET is slowly but surely diverging itself into a whole different language and toolset. The most notable of these changes to me right now is the “My” language addition, available in VB.Net only in the next version of VS.Net (2005).

This feature is pretty frigging' cool. It basically is an “alternate” object model, a simpler object model with shortcuts to lots of frequently used .Net functionality, which also simplifies lots of the calling conventions for many activities such as read/write files, printing, reading comm ports and so on. This is indeed a good feature, and is a welcome addition to vb.net.

But it has a not so good side. It means VB.Net programmers will be learning and using a simpler, but most importantly *different* object model for many tasks, than the one used by C# developers. That would lead to difficulties in migrating between these two languages and developing/maintenance of shared code bases with these two languages intertwined. Basically, a vb.net dev who wishes to write in C# would have to “re-learn” the same “different” object model used by C#. This effectively overturns lots of the statements going on right now that say “if you can develop in *this*, you can develop in *that*“. No. The learning curve just grew when switching sides. At least it only grew when switching from one of those sides to the other. A C# dev can still use the same programming object model they are used to in VB.Net, barring small syntax changes. A VB.Net dev who only used to work with “My” will have quite a learning curve to go through.

So how do you solve this? I'd say go ahead and add the “My” feature to C# as well. I don't see any other way around it. Well, there is another way though quite impractical - when you teach VB.Net - teach it using the C# object model, not the simplified one (assuming you want the devs you teach to be able to work in both languages in the future)

More stuff this could cause: the return of the VB coder myth (a.k.a “Mort”). Maybe it can even convince vb coders to leave C# alone afraid of the learning curve.

In conclusion, I'm not trying to diss this feature. In fact, I think it is so important, it should be in both languages, or it will make *too much*  of a difference and create an invisible, yet remarkably familiar "wall" between the two old camps.