We are currently hiring at the company where I work, and here the codebase is in VB.Net.

We are worried that we miss out on a lot of brilliant programmers, who would never ever consider working with VB.Net.

My own background is Java and C#, and I was somewhat sceptical as to whether it would work out with VB, as - to be honest - i didn't care much for VB.

After a month or so, I was completely fluent in VB, and a few months later i discovered to my surprise, that I actually like VB. I still code my free time projects in C# and Boo though.

So my question is firstly, how important is language for you, when you choose a new programming job?

Lets say if its a great company, salary is good, and generally an attractive work-place. Would you say no to the perfect job, if the language wasn't your preferred dialect? VB or C# is one thing, but how about Java or C# etc.

Secondly if the best developers won't join your company because of your language or platform, would you consider changing, to get the right people?

(This is not a language bashing thread, so please no religious language wars)

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