I am a programmer working with .Net environment .I downloaded DevForce Express after seeing it highlighted at http://msdn.microsoft.com/netframework. I also went to the website and they claim one can write an application in 15 minutes. Now I want to know the following questions
Will this really help me increase my programming skills and speed?
And secondly my friend says I will get more value for writing code myself (because I will learn more) when I change jobs rather than using tools. Is that right?

I am new to programming (first job) so guidance and suggestions are always welcome, please

Thx
Venky

If you want to program professionally then IMO there's no better way to understand the nitty-gritty than doing things by hand. I learned java using notepad and javac from a dos prompt and so I feel that I know what's going on under the hood.

Once you have a grip on the basics you can move on to using RAD (thats 'rapid application development') tools like dotnet.

You'll then find you understand what it is that the tools are doing for you. And be able to fix/change/tailor the things the RAD tool can't do. After all that's what programmers get paid for!

just my tuppenceworth

--
Don't Stand on your head - you'll get footprints in your hair
                                           http://charlieharvey.org.uk
                                              http://charlieharvey.com

I agree with ciderpunx dude,

You have to get your hands dirty. You have to understand what is going on.

Bugs WILL come, and some of them are pretty nasty... if you don't understand what you coded, how can you solve the bugs?

And then, your friends are damn right. Everything you learn increases your labor market value; and that is what will most matter to you.

By the way: .NET and the Microsoft IDE are dead easy anyway.

I started programming with punch-cards (don't know what I'm talking about?... check them out: http://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/univac/cards.html) and then a 48 KB RAM Apple II. There was nothing not even close to the debuging tools available today.

Good luck in your career.... Joel