It's possible to expand a VB program?

[A. M.]

Hi,
It's possible to add new capabilities to a program adding new forms or functions without the need of recompilating the project and therefore uninstalling the previous version from the user's computer and reinstalling the new one?

Thanks,

Alejandro.

[Cander]

No.

But you dont necesarrily have to unisntall the old version. just install to a different directory.

Sure it is, many programs offer 'modularity', meaning that extra specialised add-ins can be purchased or downloaded that will expand the main program. This is best illustrated by modern graphics packages like CorelDraw and Adobe products.

Just don't ask me how to do it!

[Cander]

Well i know that, but you cant do it to just any program.

The correct response would be:
In VB: No, but Yes

Since you cannot create code-only dll's, only ActiveX dll's, and since those need to be added to and compiled with the program, you can't do it in the strictest sense.

I have had some success however by using .EXEs as plugins and making your main .EXE an ActiveX EXE, which the plugins can reference and use objects from.

A different approach would be to use the MSScript control and write plugins in VBScript to use the objects in your program.

But a plugin system like in WinAmp of Photoshop is impossible in VB, perhaps in VB.NET?

Gerco Dries.