Is it ok to continue using VB6 1

[kennycad]

Hi,

First up, I am very fond of VB6. I have been using it for a number of years and have had some great success with it. I use it to write programs that assist with engineering calculations and automation of report writing, excel etc. I also use VBA when it suits.

I understand that VB6 is been phased out for VB.NET. I have made a few attempts to familiarise myself with NET but I find it very complex and always find myself reverting back to VB6. I dont really have the time to invest in learning NET and would prefer to continue utilising my current skills with VB6 and VBA. Is this going to be a major issue for me in the future. I have read that VB6 wont be supported post windows 7.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[tedsmith]

If I am right, Powerbasic is still a windows specific program. Ubuntu seems to be acting as a translator for the MS code into UNIX.

I was looking for a VB like development system that could make exes that run directly in UNIX with no reference to Windows at all.

If there isn't one yet I cant understand why someone hasn't developed one yet

 

[strongm]

>run directly in UNIX

You could have a look at HBasic - but it'll be nowhere near as plain sailing as VB6 on Windows ...

 

[dilettante]

If you want programs that run on multiple platforms you might look at development toos that create Java programs. One that looks very VB6-ish is Jabaco.

See the Showcase for screen shots.

 

[dilettante]

Oops, I repeated myself. Sorry.

I guess this thread is getting old... or maybe it's just me.

 

[tedsmith]

That Jabaco looks interesting bit how would I use it to run on a computer not connected to the internet?
To make it look like a 'normal' VB6 app, would have to run Internet explorer in local mode and do all keyboard input and show displays from Internet Explorer in full screen mode? Or can you use Java directly somehow?

 

[strongm]

?how would I use it to run on a computer not connected to the internet?

Eh?

 

[dilettante]

I think you have "Java" confused with "Java applet" or maybe "JavaScript."

Jabaco creates an Win32 EXE-wrapper or a naked JAR file for a stand-alone application. You run the EXE or you run the JAR file as in:

[tt]java -jar c:\pathofthefile\nameofthefile.jar[/tt] (console program)

[tt]javaw -jar c:\pathofthefile\nameofthefile.jar[/tt] (GUI program)

Often when Java is installed it associates javaw.exe with JAR files.

There is no browser involved at all.

 

[tedsmith]

I have never played with Java except at my local coffee shop.

If I run it as a naked JAR file is running it like the original versions of BASIC before it was complied to one exe?

If so, do you have to purchase a sort of separate Java.exe to attach the code to and pay a fee for every copy you sell?

 

[dilettante]

If you have ever used a Web browser much the odds are you use Java fairly often. It is much more likely to be encountered as an object (applet) on a page than any .Net code is.

When you use a Java compiler to create a Windows EXE the result is very similar to using a .Net compiler to make a Windows EXE. It is really just a JAR file wrapped with a "bootstrapper" that runs the Java runtime against it. When you compile to a JAR file you need to invoke this manually, either via a command line or a file association. In either case running a .Net program is probably a closer comparison.

I've never heard of an legitimate JRE that cost the user money. It is also an extremely rare PC that doesn't already have the standard one from Sun/Oracle installed already.

You can also use packaging tools like

http://www.advancedinstaller.com/java.html

in order to deal with making sure the user has the Java runtime. These will detect the JRE and if not present either install a bundled JRE or download and install the most current one.

 

[dilettante]

You might also want to read through

http://www.excelsior-usa.com/articles/java-to-exe.html