What Would You Change About VB6 if You Had The Chance? (For Novices and Experts)

This question goes out to Visal Basic 6 novices and the experts.

If you could change something about Visual Basic 6 what would it be?

Novices - You know the things that annoy you right from the start that an expert might have gotten used to and forgotten.

Experts - You have detailed knowlege of the language and know what is lacking and what should be changed.

I am collecting this information to help in the development of LightFusion™. It is a programming lanuage being created by VBF's very own Jacob Roman, Penagate, chemicalNova and myself (eyeRmonkey). Any and all input you have will help us a lot. :)

the mid function, sometimes it works for me then other times it doesnt!!

make up its mind...

Structured error handling!!!

yeah!! when you get an error, you should be able to click "fix" and the program will fix what you did wrong! (if it is not a mathematical error or something like that)

Agreed. Try, Catch and Finally. Worth adding IMO.

chem

Slow functions such as DoEvents need a good kick in speed. It's a good thing we are gonna be using SIMD assembly! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joacim Andersson

Structured error handling!!!

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Could you give an example of some made-up VB6 code of how error handling should work in your mind?

VB Code:

Try
    'Do something that might raise an error
Catch ' or Except
    'Whoops an error occured
End Try

VB Code:

Try (0 / 0):
    MsgBox "Erm.."
Catch:
    MsgBox "Woot! Handled"
End Try

VB.NET has something like this I believe. Well, it does have try...catch..finally, but I'm not sure of the syntax.

chem

I like that idea a lot. I don't know much about VB.NET so I didn't know about that.

Thanks for the input JA and Chem. :thumb:

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Originally Posted by paralinx

yeah!! when you get an error, you should be able to click "fix" and the program will fix what you did wrong! (if it is not a mathematical error or something like that)

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The compiler/IDE can't read your mind. Can you give an example of where it could "fix" it for you?

"Click a fix button".... LOL! Why not add a voice interface where you simply need to say "Write program" and it does it for you. :)

Computers aren't psychic so I don't think that is such a good idea. As for VB6, it would have been nice if MS made it to where you can use inline assembly in VB, like you could with C++. But ThunderVB did it for us (found in PSC). So LightFusion is definitely gonna support assembly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joacim Andersson

"Click a fix button".... LOL! Why not add a voice interface where you simply need to say "Write program" and it does it for you. :)

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Done. Pfft. You think I actually write my programs? :bigyello:

chem

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paralinx

the mid function, sometimes it works for me then other times it doesnt!!

make up its mind...

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Can you post an example where the MID Function doesn't work?

For the IDE.. MZTools would be built in as standard, as would automatic indenting of Loops etc. :)

I also like the idea of .Net where you can "hide" code blocks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by si_the_geek

For the IDE.. MZTools would be built in as standard, as would automatic indenting of Loops etc. :)

I also like the idea of .Net where you can "hide" code blocks.

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Thanks for your suggestions!

Can you post a screen shot of how to hide code blocks in .NET? I don't have it and have never used it.

I don't have it either :(

I think you need to put some sort of comment for the start/end of the block, then you get + or - signs next to them to expand/shrink it.

It's called "code folding" and you can do it on any block of code like any Sub or Function for example. I currently doesn't have VS.Net installed on the computer I'm currently sitting behind but you can look at some of the screen shots for SharpDevelop here. See the little [-] sign where you can fold (or collapse) the code just like in a treeview.

I already had that idea for LightFusion for a couple days now. So consider it on my hit list.

Also, a ListView of possible functions to use will also be done with the assembly. :thumb:

Here is what I mean:

I want to be able to comment entire blocks of code
it is annoying putting the comment sign on every line of code that you dont want to run during a test, C++, and actionscript among most others allow you to use /* and */ to comment blocks

also better file manipulation without APIs
MakeSureDirectoryPathExists goes into %90 of the projects i make that do anything with files/folders
and copyfile basically freezes the computer if it is a large file

That's a feature in VB.NET but we are gonna use the C++ approach to block comments in using /* */ for now until we think otherwise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by notquitehere188

I want to be able to comment entire blocks of code
it is annoying putting the comment sign on every line of code that you dont want to run during a test

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This can be done in VB6 as well. Just add the Edit toolbar to the VB IDE.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mark Gambo

Can you post an example where the MID Function doesn't work?

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I gave up on it and used InStr...


thanks anyway tho

I do agree. with the last post....

I'm actually quite fluent in the PHP comments.

// would do one line
/* whole stretch
of liney code */

that would be rad.

PHP comments = C++ comments = JavaScript comments = LightFusion™ comments

:D

Pascal uses (* *) :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jacob Roman

Also, a ListView of possible functions to use will also be done with the assembly. :thumb:

Here is what I mean:

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What program is that?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by si_the_geek

For the IDE.. MZTools would be built in as standard, as would automatic indenting of Loops etc. :)

I also like the idea of .Net where you can "hide" code blocks.

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i think you are referring to the #Region keyword used in .net
this will split the code into regions within the IDE allowing you to show/hide each region by clicking on the +/- box.

Try/Catch/Finally example:

VB Code:

Try
    'code that might generate an error
Catch ex As WebException 'catch errors from classes that give a WebException
    Messagebox.Show(ex.Message)
Catch ex As Exception
    Messagebox.Show(ex.Message)  'catch all other errors
Finally
    'code that will always be executed
End Try

I would have changed it to C syntax..:)


- ØØ -

-Bound Checkboxes and Radiobuttons
-A build in way to backpoint at a parent class without having to worry about circular references keeping an object alive forever.
-A better Isnumeric function
-Api complient variable set.
-Pointers
- Adding 1 to a var with ++ (Like C++ has)

Need I continue?

if i could change anything in vb6 i would make it vb.net :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by notquitehere188

I want to be able to comment entire blocks of code
it is annoying putting the comment sign on every line of code that you dont want to run during a test, C++, and actionscript among most others allow you to use /* and */ to comment blocks

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If you have enabled the Edit (Right click then select Edit) in your Toolbar of your IDE then you could instantly comment entire blocks of code. ;)

Sorry Joacim, didn't read your post in #24...

I am too lazy to read all post but I wish a better memory management... :)

And how about a copy-paste installation of an EXE? :)

What would I change?

- Real stand-alone applications (no MSVBVM60.DLL)
- Memory handling by the coder not VB.
- Structured error handling (not Try/Catch :x)
- Option Explicit hard coded into the IDE :)
- Increased Stack space for recursive code
- Ability to dump the stack.
- Replace all the $ functions (Dir$, Mid$) to the normal ones and remove the variant return ones.
- Banish Variant.
- Support for Std C callback functions without the hassle
- LoadObject/CreateObject that actually allows enumeration of it's functions without the hassle
- CallByName that actually works decently without a variant array :X
- Array 2 Array copy actions and merge and such. In other words; Array functions.
- Safe Multithreading support with extension support for COM Objects.
- Memory Pool support within multithreads (if the multithreading is done outside own scope (COM))

That's about it I think.
VB.NET in a VB6 shell without all the DHTML crap would work (and the 26MB framework :x)

Change the compliation process to be on the fly like many of the Java editors. Having to wait 10 - 15 minutes for a project to compile is extremely irritating

Quote:

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Originally Posted by eyeRmonkey

What program is that?

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That's ThunderVB, which is an addin for VB6. You can get it at Planet Source Code. ;)

Native Unicode support for all controls would be very nice.

I'd give VB6 a box of matches, some dry logs, a big chunk of meat and a bearskin coat, after all that's what people living in the dark ages really want :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wossname

I'd give VB6 a box of matches, some dry logs, a big chunk of meat and a bearskin coat, after all that's what people living in the dark ages really want :D

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If there's no advantage, then there's no advance.

That must mean that you, Wossy, must be Cro-Magnon man. I'm happy being in the dark ages, whilst you still hunt deer, and live in a cave.

;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Merri

Native Unicode support for all controls would be very nice.

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All of VB's controls have native Unicode support. It's unfortunate that the VB runtime doesn't know this, and keeps converting everything to ANSI . . .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dnereb

1) Bound Checkboxes and Radiobuttons
2) A build in way to backpoint at a parent class without having to worry about circular references keeping an object alive forever.
3) A better Isnumeric function
4) Api complient variable set.
5) Pointers
6) Adding 1 to a var with ++ (Like C++ has)

Need I continue?

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1) Ok
2) What?
3) Whats wrong with it?
4) Can you explain.
5) Already on our list.
6) Already on our list.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joacim Andersson

"Click a fix button".... LOL! Why not add a voice interface where you simply need to say "Write program" and it does it for you. :)

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I don't appreciate sarcasm

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Devion

What would I change?

1) Real stand-alone applications (no MSVBVM60.DLL) We are considering this. It may be possible for apps that only use the default library, but if possible we want to allow DLL support which means installing/updating DLLs on the system the app is being installed on.
2) Memory handling by the coder not VB. Can you explain?
3) Structured error handling (not Try/Catch :x) What kind of error handling would you have?
4) Option Explicit hard coded into the IDE :) Agreed.
5) Increased Stack space for recursive code Shouldn't be too hard.
6) Ability to dump the stack. Ok.
7) Replace all the $ functions (Dir$, Mid$) to the normal ones and remove the variant return ones. Definitely
8) Banish Variant. Already on our list.
9) Support for Std C callback functions without the hassle I'm not familiar with too C. What do you mean?
10) LoadObject/CreateObject that actually allows enumeration of it's functions without the hassle
11) CallByName that actually works decently without a variant array :X
12) Array 2 Array copy actions and merge and such. In other words; Array functions. Definitely
13) Safe Multithreading support with extension support for COM Objects.
15) Memory Pool support within multithreads (if the multithreading is done outside own scope (COM))


That's about it I think.
VB.NET in a VB6 shell without all the DHTML crap would work (and the 26MB framework :x)

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Bold stuff is my reply.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by paralinx

I don't appreciate sarcasm

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It arguably wasn't the nicest the nicest way of saying it, but I'm afraid he had a point.

In order for the IDE to fix your code, it needs to know exactly what you meant. This means that the people who write it need to work out how to deal with billions of potential issues (typographical and otherwise), and in most cases will probably make different assumptions to you.

A twist on your idea could be useful tho.. having the error line highlighted along with links to the Help for the functions etc that you have used (or summaries for them shown), this would help with ensuring that you know what the parameters are supposed to be.

It could also be a good idea to have bracket colouring like Excel has for formulas, so you can see which "open" bracket goes with which "close".

I would like everyone to know that my book "Writing Compilers and Interpreters" has arrived, and currently in my possesion. This book will teach me how to create my own programming language and compiler from the ground up, correctly, step by step. :thumb:

Now it's time to really work on LightFusion.

Advanced commenting capabilities...
- Floating Comment boxes seperate from the code itself.
- Ability to draw diagrams and insert them into the comments.
- Toggle show/hide comments

How about, as a Tool, a code snippets library.

How About Hot buttons to insert code snippets.

How about a printable skeleton {Treeview, NestedView?} of subs and functions, and their child calls to other Subs and functions {withe the calls of those childrens child calls, etc...}

How about a cleaner function, to remove all subs that have nothing activating them? ie... removes old, dead code that you used for development purposes but have long since abandoned.

How about a higher math module?
Matrix methods,
simultaneous integer/floating point linear equation solver/presolver,...

How about a GCD function?

How about, when you call to a sub, function, whatever, the name of the procedure is a hot link, and if you doubleclick it, you either jump to that procedure within the scope of the call, or if non-existant, a helper window pops open, which allows you to help define the new procedure, such as select that it will be a boolean function, or an asynchronous sub,whatever...
And it will also let you choose the module that this new procedure should attach itself to.


How about, when you're inside of a procedure, an "Add New Input Variable" Button, that prompts you for the name, type, ByVal/ByRef, whatever...

So that you don't have to move from where you're at to edit it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

All of VB's controls have native Unicode support. It's unfortunate that the VB runtime doesn't know this, and keeps converting everything to ANSI . . .

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Add word "working" somewhere in to my sentence and no need to repeat what I know already :) Too bad I haven't seen anyone to hack the support to the native controls.

Array functions are good idea. I have a set of functions for VB6 that I will be porting to C++/ASM for the library, and some more that I'm sure can be thought up :)

NotLKH, I like the idea of matrices and other not so basic Maths classes/functions. The suggestions in your second post I feel are more geared toward the IDE so those will be things for Jacob to think about :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NotLKH

How about a higher math module?
Matrix methods,
simultaneous integer/floating point linear equation solver/presolver,...

How about a GCD function?

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There is a nice assembly language GCD algorithm in Knuth.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NoteMe

I would have changed it to C syntax..:)


- ØØ -

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i notice that this is in the VB6 forum. not the c# forum. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tr333

i notice that this is in the VB6 forum. not the c# forum. :)

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Your point is :p I still value my own opinion about VB..:)


- ØØ -

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NoteMe

Your point is :p I still value my own opinion about VB..:)


- ØØ -

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I value my opinion above everybody elses ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phill64

if i could change anything in vb6 i would make it vb.net :D

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Damn, I wanted to say that. :(

I would change the copyright to my name. That way I would make a lot of money. :)