MICROSOFT VISUAL BASIC PROGRAMMING
Microsoft Visual Basic 6 and Visual Basic for Applications
 Microsoft Visual Basic 6 (VB6) is the most
used language in the world today. The sophisticated Rapid Application Development
(RAD) environment of Microsoft Visual Basic is widely used in industry, and is particularly
stable.
The Visual Basic programming language is the natural choice for rapid development
of sophisticated business software. Its extensive range of Windows controls and
procedures allow a speedy build of the graphical user interface (GUI), business
logic, and database access.
Microsoft Visual Basic is simple, easy-to-learn, and can be used to build the most
complex Windows applications. Microsoft Visual Basic Programming allows the creation
of practical programs quickly. With the optimising compiler, Microsoft Visual Basic
runs as fast as any language, yet is much easier to use.
By making extensive use of drag-and-drop component assembly, wizards, form-based
Graphical User Interface (GUI) design, the Microsoft Visual Basic Programming Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) is the fastest way to get custom Windows software
into production. The programmer can use Microsoft Visual Basic to write Component
Object Model (COM) Objects, ActiveX Controls, and ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) for
handling a SQL Server Database or an Access Database.
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
 An extension of Microsoft Visual Basic,
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications is the common development language found
throughout Microsoft Office software (i.e Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft
Access).
By providing a common development language and environment, Microsoft has enabled
programmers to focus on the functionality of the applications – instead of
learning a new language for each application they incorporate into their programs.
Microsoft's support of VB6
Support ended in 2008. VB6 will never get support in 64-bit environments. All MSDN
library CDs only have VB.Net examples. There will no longer be any VB6 Service
Packs or fixes. The latest Windows security updates are aimed directly at Visual
Studio.Net, and can invalidate some VB6 routines.
Microsoft is committed to supporting the VB6 runtime on Vista for the next 10 years
(although installing VB6 on Vista can be problematic). It is impossible to ignore
the advent of VB.Net. Like VB3, the VB6 routines will become harder and harder
for programmers to maintain. Planning for the adoption of VB.Net should start
now.
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