What is Visual Basic

Visual Basic is a computer programming system developed and owned by Microsoft. Visual Basic was originally created to make it easier to write programs for the Windows computer operating system. Visual Basic is based on an earlier programming language called BASIC, invented by Dartmouth College professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz. Visual Basic is usually referred to by just the initials VB. Visual Basic is easily the most widely used computer programming system in software history.

#Visual Basic is just a programming language?

Visual Basic was one of the first systems to make programming for the Windows operating system practical. This is possible because VB contains software tools that automate the detailed programming required to create Windows. These software tools not only create Windows programs, but also take advantage of the graphical approach to Windows by letting programmers "draw" their systems on the computer with a mouse. That's why it's called "Visual" Basic.

Visual Basic also provides a unique and complete software architecture. "Architecture" is the way computer programs (such as Windows and VB programs) work together. One of the main reasons Visual Basic is so successful is that it contains everything you need to write programs for Windows.

Are there multiple versions of Visual Basic?

yes. Since it was first introduced by Microsoft in 1991, there have been 9 versions of Visual Basic until VB.NET 2005, the current version. The first six versions were all called Visual Basic. In 2002, Microsoft introduced Visual Basic .NET 1.0, a completely redesigned and rewritten version that was a key part of mainframe computer architecture. The first six versions are "backwards compatible". This means that later versions of VB can handle programs written in earlier versions. Because the .NET architecture was such a radical change, earlier versions of Visual Basic had to be rewritten to work with .NET. Many programmers still prefer Visual Basic 6.0, and some even use earlier versions.

Will Microsoft stop supporting Visual Basic 6 and earlier?

It depends on what you mean by "support", but many programmers will say they already have it. The next version of the Windows operating system, Windows Vista, will still run Visual Basic 6 programs, and future versions of Windows can run them as well. On the other hand, Microsoft now charges a hefty fee for any help with VB 6 software issues and won't be providing it anytime soon. Microsoft no longer sells VB 6, so it's hard to find. It's clear that Microsoft is doing everything it can to discourage continued use of Visual Basic 6 and encourage the adoption of Visual Basic .NET. Many programmers believe Microsoft made a mistake by abandoning Visual Basic 6 because their customers had invested so much money in it for more than a decade. As a result, Microsoft has gotten a lot of bad blood from some VB 6 programmers, and some have moved to other languages ​​instead of moving to VB.NET. This may be a mistake. See next item.

Is Visual Basic .NET really an improvement?

Absolutely right! All of .NET is truly revolutionary, providing programmers with a more powerful, efficient and flexible way of writing computer software. Visual Basic .NET is a key part of this revolution.

At the same time, Visual Basic .NET is obviously more difficult to learn and use. The greatly increased functionality does bring considerable technical complexity. Microsoft is helping to compensate for this increased technical difficulty by providing more software tools in .NET to assist programmers. Most programmers agree that VB.NET is a huge leap and worth it.

Is Visual Basic not just for less skilled programmers and simple systems?

This is what programmers used to say before Visual Basic .NET using programming languages ​​like C, C++, and Java. Back then, there was some truth to the accusation, although on the other side of the argument, excellent programs could be written faster and cheaper with Visual Basic than with any other language.

VB.NET is the same as any programming technology. In fact, a program generated using the .NET compiled language (called C#.NET) is virtually identical to the same program written using VB.NET. The only real difference today is programmer preference.

Is Visual Basic "object-oriented"?

VB.NET definitely is. A major change introduced by .NET is a complete object-oriented architecture. Visual Basic 6 is "mostly" object-oriented, but lacks some features like "inheritance". The subject of object-oriented software is a large one in itself and is beyond the scope of this article.

What is the Visual Basic "runtime" and do we still need it?

One of the major innovations introduced by Visual Basic was the method of dividing a program into two parts. One part is written by the programmer and does everything that makes the program unique, such as adding two specific values. The other part performs all the processing that any program might need, such as programming to add any values. The second part is called the "runtime" in Visual Basic 6 and earlier versions and is part of the Visual Basic system. The runtime is actually a specific program, and each version of Visual Basic has a corresponding runtime version. In VB 6, the runtime is called MSVBVM60. (A complete VB 6 runtime environment typically requires several other files as well.)

In .NET, the same concept is still used in a very general way, but it is no longer called a "runtime" (It's part of the .NET Framework) It also has a lot of features. See next question.

What is Visual Basic .NET Framework?

Like the old Visual Basic runtime, the Microsoft .NET Framework combines with specific .NET programs written in Visual Basic .NET or any other .NET language to provide a complete system. However, a framework is more than just a runtime. .NET Framework is the foundation of the entire .NET software architecture. A major component is a vast library of programming code called the Framework Class Library (FCL). The .NET Framework is separate from VB.NET and can be downloaded for free from Microsoft. The framework is included with Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista.

What is Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and how does it fit in?

VBA is a version of Visual Basic 6.0, used as an internal programming language in many other systems such as Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel. (Earlier versions of Visual Basic were used with earlier versions of Office.) In addition to Microsoft, many other companies have used VBA to add programming capabilities to their own systems. VBA enables another system, such as Excel, to run a program internally and provide what is essentially a customized version of Excel for a specific purpose. For example, a program can be written in VBA that, with the click of a button, enables Excel to create an accounting balance sheet using a series of accounting entries from a spreadsheet.

VBA is the only version of VB 6 still sold and supported by Microsoft, only as an internal component of Office programs. Microsoft is developing a full .NET feature (called VSTO, Visual Studio Tools for Office) but continues to use VBA.

How much does Visual Basic cost?

While Visual Basic 6 can be purchased separately, Visual Basic .NET is only sold as part of what Microsoft calls Visual Studio .NET. Visual Studio .NET also includes the other Microsoft-supported .NET languages, C#.NET, J#.NET, and C.NET. Visual Studio offers several editions with different features that go far beyond the ability to write programs. In October 2006, Microsoft released Visual Studio .NET with pricing ranging from $800 to $2,800, although various discounts were often offered.

Fortunately, Microsoft also offers a completely free version of Visual Basic called Visual Basic .NET 2005 Express Edition (VBE). This version of VB.NET is separate from other languages ​​and fully compatible with more expensive versions. This version of VB.NET is very powerful and doesn't "feel" like free software at all. While some features of the more expensive versions are not included, most programmers won't notice any omissions. The system can be used for production quality programming and is not "crippled" in any way like some free software. You can read more about VBE and download a copy on Microsoft's website.

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