Converting VB.NET SQL Server application to ASP.NET 3

[EBECK]

I'm employed at a homeless shelter and have developed a VB .NET database (SQL Server database) application. The application is a Guest Registration system, collecting all kinds of information on the homeless people who stay here.

We're looking into the possibility of converting this application to a Web based service so that other homeless shelters could use it. The other homeless shelters would access the database at our organization through a Web page, or more likely, series of Web pages, and record information on their guests.

A couple of questions I have: Are there tools or some way I can fairly easily convert my VB .NET database application to a Web-based database application? A second question: I've used VB script to program Web pages in the past (ASP). Can Visual Basic .NET be used to code Web pages (ASP.NET)?

Please let me know what you think. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration!

Ed

 

[jbenson001]

There is no quick conversion tool that I know of. There are alot of objects that exist in ASP that exist in VB, but some are different. Also the overall way a web app works is quite different than a VB app. Since your app doesn't seem too complicated, I think you can convert it pretty easily.

And yes, you can use VB.NET to code the ASP.NET app.

Jim

 

[stsuing]

1) WebForms and WinForms are completely different. You will basically have to do a re-write of the UI Peice. If you have separated the data access layer, then you should be able to reuse it.

2) You will be able to use Vb.net to code web pages. Be warned that ASP and ASP.Net are completely different only the syntax is similiar.

Since you already have a VB.net application, you could abstract the data layer and have it call WebServices to update a central location. That way you could use winforms or webforms as the UI. This is pretty common and you should be able to find examples on the web.

 

[ca8msm]

I think stsuing has pointed out the best scenario in this case, (i.e any database/business layers) that you have created can be used again, but if you haven't created your VB.NET Windows application like this, then you may be forced to rewrite a lot of it.

You may want to take a few things into consideration though if you plan on writing a web applications (things that may not have necessarily have been a concern to you before). e.g.

1) What database are you using? (a lot of simple windows apps may use MS Access, but this is not a good db to use for web apps)

2) How will the extra user load affect your app/db?

3) What browser will other shelters be using?

There are many more "in-depth" considerations that you may have to think of, but in theory, it isn't that complicated a task to complete as long as you are aware of the differences between web and windows programming (and we can alwasy lend a helping hand if you get stuck!).


____________________________________________________________

Need help finding an answer?

Try the Search Facility or read FAQ222-2244 on how to get better results.