2 Quick VB Questions (amateur)

[ryan_s]

1) My coding experience has all been with Visual Basic 6
(what I learned in school). Now with the whole ".NET"
products, can I code using the same syntax (provided that
I don't need to use the ".NET" functionality in my apps)
as in VB6. I guess the real question is how much of a
transition is it to Visual Basic .NET from VB6?

2) When you compile an application into an executable
file, do you need to send any supporting files to the
recepient to allow them to use your application?
By "supporting files" I'm not refering to any text files,
DLL's etc. (obviously they need to be sent as well). I
recall at one time it was necessary to include the VB
runtimes. Is this still the case and for that matter what
exactly where the runtimes anyways? (opps guess that
makes it 3 questions :) )

Thanks.

Ryan
..

[Armin Zingler]

"ryan_s" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> schrieb

1) My coding experience has all been with Visual Basic 6
(what I learned in school). Now with the whole ".NET"
products, can I code using the same syntax (provided that
I don't need to use the ".NET" functionality in my apps)
as in VB6. I guess the real question is how much of a
transition is it to Visual Basic .NET from VB6?
The syntax in VB.NET is similar to VB6 (the extent of similarty has been
dicussed 1001 times). At least it is not 100% compatible. The environment
and circumstances (also called 'Framework') are completely different.
2) When you compile an application into an executable
file, do you need to send any supporting files to the
recepient to allow them to use your application?
By "supporting files" I'm not refering to any text files,
DLL's etc. (obviously they need to be sent as well). I
recall at one time it was necessary to include the VB
runtimes. Is this still the case and for that matter what
exactly where the runtimes anyways? (opps guess that
makes it 3 questions :) )

You need to distribute the .NET Framework (~20MB).
You can download the .NET Framework for free. It contains the VB.NET
compiler (vbc.exe), so you could write and compile "Hello world" for free.

--
Armin

http://learn.to/quote
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[Tom Leylan]

"Armin Zingler" <az*******@freenet.de> wrote...

"ryan_s" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> schrieb

can I code using the same syntax

The syntax in VB.NET is similar to VB6 (the extent of similarty has been
dicussed 1001 times). At least it is not 100% compatible.
I just wanted to point out that the non-compatibility is a good thing. The
"complaints" about VB have largely been addressed and brought what were
often "odd" VB-isms into line with features found in other languages.
You need to distribute the .NET Framework (~20MB).

I'll also point out that you only need to do this if the target computer
does not already have the framework installed and remind the OP that the
framework isn't a "VB" framework but rather a .Net framework. It is
language neutral.

[ryan_s]

This seems to be quite the transition to make if I only
need to write simple applications. It sounds like your
saying if I decide to write a custom calculator
application I not only need to code it differently using
the .NET syntax but I need to send a ~20MB framework for
someone to use my little calculator?

Can you purchase a Non .NET version of Visual Basic?
Unless I'm misunderstanding it seems like .NET is overkill
for what I need it for.

Again, just to put things in perspective I'm not a
professional level developer. I just want to write some
relatively simple applications using the VB knowledge I
obtained in school.

Thanks.

-Ryan

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

* "ryan_s" <an*******@discussions.microsoft.com> scripsit:

the .NET syntax but I need to send a ~20MB framework for
someone to use my little calculator?
Yes. There is no other way. The framework must be installed.
Can you purchase a Non .NET version of Visual Basic?

No. Visual Basic Classic is not sold any more. You can try to get it
at eBay or somthing like this but make sure you don't buy a version that
was part of an MSDN subscription, ...

--
Herfried K. Wagner
MVP · VB Classic, VB.NET
<http://www.mvps.org/dotnet>

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