twinBasic "installer"

I did this for myself (because clicking links is hard :lol:) and thought I'd share it. It is very simplistic, select where to download the zip file, select where twinBasic is locally, select what to do with the zip file once downloaded, click download. It finds the latest available and does what is asked.

Do with it as you will.

https://github.com/jdelano0310/GettbZip

Thank you wqweto for cZipArchive.cls

**no error trapping currently as using On Error Goto causes the project to no longer work https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/issues/1911

A quick video of updating to 662 just now. https://1drv.ms/v/c/7b44a6c9bbfcba41...OK_kA?e=YcfPiq

Small update to add the change log and switched to using HTMLDocument, string was fine for just getting the version, https://imgur.com/a/j9Qn5ho

Perhaps one day, twinbasic will become an NPM package that gives vba,vb6 Compile 64-bit DLL, exe, you only need a command line, it can automatically download, automatically you can be compiled into PE files.

In the Linux world, only the command line is not installed. Next step, next step, there is no need to download manually.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xiaoyao

Perhaps one day, twinbasic will become an NPM package that gives vba,vb6 Compile 64-bit DLL, exe, you only need a command line, it can automatically download, automatically you can be compiled into PE files.

In the Linux world, only the command line is not installed. Next step, next step, there is no need to download manually.

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Anything is possible.

Added the change log to the screen. There is a local copy of the releases page being used here, why it says debug in the status, as there isn't a newer version than what I am using.

Video with new options to check for a newer version on load of the utility and launch the new version of twinBASIC after it is extracted to the folder.
https://1drv.ms/v/c/7b44a6c9bbfcba41...s7lZQ?e=CKOwuw

Updated to now grab the current version number from build.js.

Added code to return the change log of each version between the currently installed version and the current release.

So, I've added a few things to this, renamed it tBHelper and a new repo where I upload the exported files from the source folder instead of the twinproj file, I can upload that if requested.

Here is the new repo https://github.com/jdelano0310/tbHelper

Thank you, I use this excellent utility daily!

I am happy that you find it useful.
I'm working on a GUI rework; I was doing that first but then pivoted to just a few feature updates.

Since you're working on the UI, one feature request would be to allow for font size adjustments on the Change Log window. My old eyes have a hard time with the font at the current size. :bigyello:

Good call.

edit: better???

Hey AAraya, would you be willing to help me test this new GUI in the next week or two (ish)??
Currently this form is just the GUI with test data, I'm getting closer to adding the code into it. I've been creating user controls to create this version. Sans the revert and view log buttons from Krool's collection.

Absolutely would be willing to help test that!

excellent, thank you. I'll keep you posted.

Looks good.

thank you! coming from the master creator that means a lot.

I know an nice interface when I see one. Just because it isn't steampunk/diesel doesn't reduce its usability/ attractiveness to my eyes.

Making VB6 do more than it should be naturally able to, always impresses me.

PS. Do you release your code or just a binary? I'd like to dig into it for examples, if you are happy with that.

It'll be here https://github.com/jdelano0310/tbHelper, I'll post the exported files - I'll make a sub folder for this GUI project that will then become the next tbHelper app.

Too blue?

That blue in the upper portion looks to be a fairly standard Windows blue so that's not so out of place.

I'm not an artist but the violet blue filter colors is the one that seems to clash with the blue on top

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jdelano

Too blue?

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twinbasic herhangi bir kütüphaneye ba?l? m?? mesela .net framework gibi zorunluluklar? var m? ?

VB6 Kodlar? ile %100 uyumluluk devam ediyor mu .

Quote:

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That blue in the upper portion looks to be a fairly standard Windows blue so that's not so out of place.

I'm not an artist but the violet blue filter colors is the one that seems to clash with the blue on top

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Indeed and agreed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by saraybilisim

twinbasic herhangi bir kütüphaneye ba?l? m?? mesela .net framework gibi zorunluluklar? var m? ?

VB6 Kodlar? ile %100 uyumluluk devam ediyor mu .

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This is an English language forum, you couldn't be the one to put your comment through a translator? It's also not about this specific community project.

To answer your question, no, there's no library dependencies for twinBASIC-compiled exes beyond the standard OS components that exist on all Windows computers (currently back to Windows XP; Windows 2000 may be supported in the future, but Windows 95/98/ME/NT4 will not).

The twinBASIC IDE depends on WebView2, which requires Windows 7.

100% compatibility with the VB6 language and documented features/behaviors is the goal, and it's nearly there, but as the "BETA" status suggests, there's still some bugs and a handful of unimplemented features, although many large and complicated VB6 projects run without modification right now.

Please post future questions and comments in their own thread or at least the main twinBASIC thread.

Still plugging away, learning GDI+ is a fickle beast, when you have a few custom controls, there are hoops and many other considerations.

I used GDI+ extensively in a tool I recently worked on and found AI invaluable at providing the correct API definitions, GDI+ calls, ensuring all objects were properly cleaned up. I couldn't have done the work without it - other than spending 10x the amount of time and effort on it.

Am using copilot, it has been a learning experience. I'm an old function over form developer, emphasis on old. Good to keep the grey matter malleable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AAraya

I used GDI+ extensively in a tool I recently worked on and found AI invaluable at providing the correct API definitions, GDI+ calls, ensuring all objects were properly cleaned up. I couldn't have done the work without it - other than spending 10x the amount of time and effort on it.

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It's ok for common API defs in 32bit only, but mistakes go up quickly when there's no existing def or no x64 supporting def in its training. I'm not perfect either but WinDevLib is going to have a far lower error rate for API definitions, and it's even more efficient almost never needing to worry about them again. It's a whole different ballgame from old VB6 libs like winu.tlb that only covered a small fraction... WDL has complete coverage of hundreds of SDK headers for everything common. GDI+ is covered 100%.
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For VB6 you'd need to remove PtrSafe and a couple other tB enhancements but a centralized source is nice.

Nice, I was reading that thread recently too. As I feel like the time is nigh to rethink the user control GDI processing in my project, I'll revisit it. Thank you.

@fafalone - thanks for the WinDevLib, it has been a value add for sure!
@AARaya - if you'd like to take this beta for a spin, let me know what all breaks.
Known
The download button state is incorrect if the setting is to look for a new version at launch and there isn't one (it is disabled and blank)
If twinBASIC is reverted, there is no visual indication that the process was successful or not.
If twinBASIC is reverted to an older version, the main form isn't properly updated to the proper installed version

Looking at these 3 tomorrow and that'll move the version to beta 2, if you think of something you'd like, let me know. One thing I'm adding is a resource feature with links to websites that a relative (twinBASICs, VBForums twinBASIC, and nolongerset.com, maybe report a bug with most of the template prefilled)

The images will be added as a resource as well, and the awful disabled cursor is going away.

EDIT: the zip https://1drv.ms/u/c/7b44a6c9bbfcba41...FSIiA?e=cmfEwr
my quota is exceeded again LOL

If anyone is particularly adventurous a new zip starting with beta 2 https://1drv.ms/u/c/7b44a6c9bbfcba41...zexAA?e=oQCB0z

I look forward to playing with this new version. It'll be much easier when regular tB updates are being released. Initial impressions are that the UI looks much improved.

I'd suggest possibly pre-populating the download location with the default Downloads folder

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AAraya

I look forward to playing with this new version. It'll be much easier when regular tB updates are being released. Initial impressions are that the UI looks much improved.

I'd suggest possibly pre-populating the download location with the default Downloads folder

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Good idea!

EDIT: this beta 2 version auto finds the user download folder (even if it has been moved) and twinBASIC folder, if there is no settings file to read it from.
https://1drv.ms/u/c/7b44a6c9bbfcba41...GpUdw?e=W940dE

Now that a new version of tB has been released I've had a chance to run the new version.

Two issues:
1. Still deletes the install folder and doesn't install the new version when not run as an administrator. Install folder is C:\Program Files\TwinBasic
2. I'm at 150% DPI and this appears to cause issues with the confirmation messages (text too small) and the grid on the main window - both images and text (both cut off).

I can provide screenshots but it should be easy enough for you to reproduce.

Other than that, so far so good!

Awesome, thank you. I have been working on the DPI, I haven't had the time to upload it. Absolutely, yes on then require admin rights for certain folders. I haven't revisited it in this version as of yet.

Thank you for testing it.

Latest exe: https://1drv.ms/u/c/7b44a6c9bbfcba41...3pncw?e=l0P7F5

Does that EXE address either of the issues I reported?

The DPI in the logs

Which makes more sense to you, regarding extracting to a folder in the Program Files folders.

1) Once you select the location of tB and it is in one of those folders, the app alerts you that elevated rights will be required, it sets itself as requiring it to run, you're asked to relaunch the app, Windows will alert you it is requesting admin rights each time going forward.

2) There is an associated exe that is responsible for extracting the files to the tB location (only used if the location is in one of those folders) it is already set up to ask for admin rights to execute. This only runs if an extraction is required (getting a new version or reverting to an older version)