Making Vb Compilator without runtimes

OK, Correction...

I just realised that there was an error on the strrev function on my website...

PHP Code:

---


char* strrev(char* src)
{
   int len = 0;
   [color=red]char temp;[/color]

   // first get the length
   while( src[len] ) len++;

   [color=red]// now reverse them[/color]
   for( int i = len; i > len \ 2; i-- )
   {
     temp = src[i];
     src[i] = src[len-i];
     src[len-i] = temp;
   }

   // return the reversed string
   return src;
} 


---

The lines marked with red are the lines that I have edited!

Regards,
MoMad

PS: I am working on that DB and website... let me know if you want to host it or if you want me to host it or what you are thinking.

Peace! BTW, I am also working on a game, but dont think that will slow me down because I am also working on many other things and all in different languages (html, actionscript, php, javascript, c/c++, vb, ...) and all at the same time... so if i start bugging out, you know why!!

yeah i'd like you to host the db please :)

Anyway, you said we can't do string manipulation with vb ?
Well take a look at this little source code I have just written :

Code:

---

Private Declare Function lstrcpy Lib "kernel32" Alias "lstrcpyA" (ByVal lpString1 As Long, ByVal lpString2 As String) As Long
Private Declare Function lstrcpyn Lib "kernel32" Alias "lstrcpynA" (ByVal lpString1 As String, ByVal lpString2 As Long, ByVal iMaxLength As Long) As Long
Private Declare Function LocalAlloc Lib "kernel32" (ByVal wFlags As Long, ByVal wBytes As Long) As Long
Private Declare Function LocalFree Lib "kernel32" (ByVal hMem As Long) As Long

Function MyMid(StrIn As String, Start As Long, Optional Length As Long) As String
 Dim NewStr As String
 Dim StrBuf As Long
 'Calculate the maximum length for the buffer
 StrBuf = Len(StrIn) + 1
 If Length = 0 Then Length = StrBuf - Start
 'Initialize NewStr ( it doesn't work without this )
 NewStr = String(StrBuf, Chr(0))
 'Initialize Buffer ( &H40 = LPTR ) : Now StrBuf is a pointer
 StrBuf = LocalAlloc(&H40, StrBuf)
 'Copy String to the buffer
 lstrcpy StrBuf, StrIn
 'Set new starting address of the pointer
 StrBuf = StrBuf + Start - 1
 'Copy the exact string length from the full buffer to NewStr
 lstrcpyn NewStr, StrBuf, Length + 1
 'clear all & return
 LocalFree (StrBuf)
 MyMid = NewStr
End Function

---

You can test it, it works ! it is the mid FUNCTION, not the instuction that can replace a char in a string. Are you still thinking that vb can't do string manipulation ? You can do everything you want with vb, you just need to know how ;)

Sorry but thats not pure VB, its WINAPI!!!! The actual lstrcpy is written in C++.

Like this:

PHP Code:

---


char* strncpy( char* dest, const char* src, int n )
{
    while ( n-- > 0 )
        *dest++ = *src++;
    return dest;
} 


---

Yeah of course lstrcpy is part of windows api but it was just to show you how to use it in a vb code to do some string manipulation...

So whats the point of writing it in vB when you already have it in ASM or C++. Do you know you can use asembly in C++?

Like this:

PHP Code:

---


int main (void)
{
    // blah blah
    asm
    {
        mov ep, ex
        push ep, 1
        pop ep, rs
        jmp 0xFF
    };
    return 0;
} 


---

By the way, that asm code is all made up, it probably wouldnt even work. Also, in the case of API, you can use ANYTHING in VB... but i dont know wether or not it will be worth it! You see, VB's computing power is very slow, so its absolutely not worth it.

VB is just too encapsulated to be of any use to a REAL programmer. Dont get me wrong but I like VB, for simple projects that is... but when it comes to advance and more complex projects, I dont bother with API, I go straight to VC++. And assembly is simply too low-level.

Thx,
MoMad

MoMad,

Sorry, but I think you've missed DevMax's point a little :p

DevMax was trying to say that he could compile functions written in VB into ASM, so if people write the basic functions of VB in VB, they can be easily turned into their ASM equivalents.

I'm sure we all appreciate that VB is not the fastest language, but that doesn't really matter if the functions are being turned into ASM.

Dan

You're forgetting that 75% of VB code is COM-based.

Janus,

I think that it is possible to invoke COM objects from asm, and the fact of the matter is that all of the basic VB COM components can be done in asm, this project will only try to compile those objects into the project since the dll's required to run those objects are already in EVERY WINDOWS-BASED Systems, (eg. gdi32, system32, kernel32, user32, shell32, wsock32, ...)

all of the custom made (pre compiled) com objects will be linked to their rightful modules, but the code based ones will be compiled within the project... It will not be as much as you think it is.

Basically, we will:


1. Read the source code
2. Compile to asm

- - - If the COM object is identified as a KNOWN object

[TRUE] it will be compiled into the exe
[FALSE] it will be linked directly

3. Link


In other words, all of the "out of the box" vb com objects will be premade in asm and will be kept in a db, then once the object is detected as a standard one, it will get replaced by pre-defined code. We will also try to add more common objects...

Does that make things a bit clearer??

Also, are you going to help because we will be needing all the help we can get.

Thanks,
MoMad

hey devmax, how about this date function?

Code:

---

Private Type SYSTEMTIME
    wYear As Integer
    wMonth As Integer
    wDayOfWeek As Integer
    wDay As Integer
    wHour As Integer
    wMinute As Integer
    wSecond As Integer
    wMilliseconds As Integer
End Type
Private Declare Sub GetSystemTime Lib "kernel32" (lpSystemTime As SYSTEMTIME)

Function Date() As String
  Dim dday As String, dmonth As String, dyear As String
  Dim lpSystemTime As SYSTEMTIME
  'get the time
  GetSystemTime lpSystemTime
  'put date into variables
  If lpSystemTime.wDay < 10 Then dday = "0" & lpSystemTime.wDay Else dday = lpSystemTime.wDay
  If lpSystemTime.wMonth < 10 Then dmonth = "0" & lpSystemTime.wMonth Else dmonth = lpSystemTime.wMonth
  dyear = lpSystemTime.wYear
  'construct date
  Date = dday & "/" & dmonth & "/" & dyear
End Function

---

thought id do the time as well.

Code:

---

Private Type SYSTEMTIME
    wYear As Integer
    wMonth As Integer
    wDayOfWeek As Integer
    wDay As Integer
    wHour As Integer
    wMinute As Integer
    wSecond As Integer
    wMilliseconds As Integer
End Type
Private Declare Sub GetSystemTime Lib "kernel32" (lpSystemTime As SYSTEMTIME)

Function Time() As String
  Dim dhours As String, dmins As String, dsecs As String, dmsecs As String
  Dim lpSystemTime As SYSTEMTIME
  'get the time
  GetSystemTime lpSystemTime
  'put time into variables
  If lpSystemTime.wHour < 10 Then dhours = "0" & lpSystemTime.wHour Else dhours = lpSystemTime.wHour
  If lpSystemTime.wMinute < 10 Then dmins = "0" & lpSystemTime.wMinute Else dmins = lpSystemTime.wMinute
  If lpSystemTime.wSecond < 10 Then dsecs = "0" & lpSystemTime.wSecond Else dsecs = lpSystemTime.wSecond
  'If lpSystemTime.wMilliseconds < 10 Then dmsecs = "0" & lpSystemTime.wMilliseconds Else dmsecs = lpSystemTime.wMilliseconds
  'If lpSystemTime.wMilliseconds < 100 Then dmsecs = "00" & lpSystemTime.wMilliseconds Else dmsecs = lpSystemTime.wMilliseconds
  'construct time
  Time = dhours & ":" & dmins & ":" & dsecs ' & "." & dmsecs
End Function

---

the commented code is if u want to include milliseconds in the return of the function.

thanx for your functions TheSarlacc !
Anyways, Dan & Momad, yes you right, this is exactly our way of thinking :)
Sorry not to give you any release right now... gotta wait for some more time ... ;)

WHY MUST YOU KEEP US ALL ON THIS AGONISING WAIT!!!!!! my bandwidth is full of me sending my 1.6mb from 32kb program over the internet, oh GOD wont you finish this quickly!!!!!!

Any help needed for website ask? anythignt o help speed this up just name it ;)

[email protected]

Go for the website anyone !!
Anywone who wants to make a cool website for the project which could host the betas and a little forum ( if possible ;) just DO IT !
The first who has a well-looked website for me will be declared official webmaster :))

i can do the website but i cant host it, 56ker!

so just di it and send it to me I'll host it myself

I want to help too. I know little in MASM for Dos. Got the 32bit though and looking for online tutorials.
But I am better in VB.
My E-Mail: [email protected]

Ok, so just write a little function and I'll add it :)

Is there any site or something where I can see your progress and decide on what function to write ?

still waiting for someone to do this ...

007shield, please no geocities.

devmax, so sorry i have been extremely busy the past week.. I will try to make the database to keep track of which functions are done and which need doing...

everyone else, if you want to help just start by finding vb functions that you can duplicate its functionality...

i will try to get it up by april 8th but im not sure how much busier i will get but i will try.

Here is a primitive look the functions database.

Add all functions to it, etc... It still needs alot of work..

But I think its ready to be released (for now)...

http://momad.teknikill.net/vbmax/

Take a look and add functions.
Bye

This site shows how to mix Assembly with VB. Making dlls with Assembly & using them in VB
Mixing Assembly & Visual Basic

Good sites for assembly source codes
Programmer's Heaven

Assembly Source Codes

Another group trying to make Assembly with RAD features...

Visual Assembler (Not updated properly)

Hope these sites help!

Hello there,
I read this thread skiping 2-3 pages and maybe that is what made me confused....
where exactly is the prog? what is thishttp://momad.teknikill.net/vbmax/index.php site for? i thought you are doing a prog that compiles vb to asm then makes a small fast .exe file which doesnt need runtime files, at least that is the impression I got from read the first page of this thread.

Anyway, just wanted to be updated on what is going on,

P.S
I can try helping in the prog, I am learing asm now, actually I know MASM and vb too (of course) so if help is needed I can do something.

Good Luck,
Yair.
([email protected])

Quote:

---

I read this thread skiping 2-3 pages and maybe that is what made me confused....
where exactly is the prog?

---

the prog hasnt been made yet. it is still in progress. u can help by submitting functions written in ASM or VB to mimic the built-in functions (like Date, Str, Instr, Mid, Time, Print, etc..). but there is no actual prog yet.

Hello!

I wonder how the project is going.

I've made a Split function.

here is:

-------------------------------------
Function SplitText(Expression As String, Delimiter As String, Optional Limit As Long = -1, Optional Compare As VbCompareMethod = vbBinaryCompare)
Dim S As Long
Dim C As Long
Dim Num As Long
Dim P As Long
Dim A() As String
Num = 0
S = 1
P = InStr(S, Expression, Delimiter, Compare)
C = 0
If C = Limit Then P = 0
Do While P > 0
ReDim Preserve A(0 To Num)
A(Num) = Mid$(Expression, S, P - S)
Num = Num + 1
S = P + Len(Delimiter)
P = InStr(S, Expression, Delimiter, Compare)
C = C + 1
If C = Limit Then P = 0
Loop
ReDim Preserve A(0 To Num)
A(Num) = Mid$(Expression, S)
SplitText = CVar(A)
End Function
---------------------------------

Byes!!!

I forgot the CODE tags.

Code:

---

Function SplitText(Expression As String, Delimiter As String, Optional Limit As Long = -1, Optional Compare As VbCompareMethod = vbBinaryCompare)
Dim S As Long
Dim C As Long
Dim Num As Long
Dim P As Long
Dim A() As String
Num = 0
S = 1
P = InStr(S, Expression, Delimiter, Compare)
C = 0
If C = Limit Then P = 0
Do While P > 0
    ReDim Preserve A(0 To Num)
    A(Num) = Mid$(Expression, S, P - S)
    Num = Num + 1
    S = P + Len(Delimiter)
    P = InStr(S, Expression, Delimiter, Compare)
    C = C + 1
    If C = Limit Then P = 0
Loop
ReDim Preserve A(0 To Num)
A(Num) = Mid$(Expression, S)
SplitText = CVar(A)
End Function

---

First off, we're still hard at work on the project and it's not dead. :)

That said, I need your help! I'm working on parsing VBP, FRM, and FRX files, as well as handling external references... well, I only have VB6, and I need example formats (and reference information) for the previous versions, mainly VB5 and VB4, though if people are still running earlier versions than that - those as well.

Allow me to clarify a bit - this is NOT a test version of our program for different versions of VB. I just need people with these versions to send me a copy of a few files...

I only need ONE person per each version, so just leave your e-mail address, and version information in a reply, and I'll get back to you with what I need (this goes to say that 5 people don't need to post that they have VB5) :)

Thanks for the help!

I think VB5 files can be read perfectly by an vb6 parser. vb6 only has more properties.

I don't have vb4 installed but i have it, i will extract an example project and send it.

I've put some samples in that zip.

I wanted to send Vb4's visdata but the zip file is 150k big. :(

I believe you are correct in terms of parsing FRM/FRX, as the version number for a FRM file in VB6 is 5.00. I do however, need a copy of the VBP as well as reference DLLs.

In VB6, for example, the VBP file has the key(s),

Reference=...

Where "..." is the GUID, Version #, LCID, Relative Path, and Description, in that order. I need this information to read the type library. In the VBP, however, it does not list all the references - In VB6 there are 3, unlisted in the VBP:

Visual Basic for Applications: VBA6.DLL (or msvbvm60.dll\1)
Visual Basic runtime objects and procedures: msvbvm60.dll\3
Visual Basic Objects and procedures: VB6.OLB

The reason they're unlisted is obvious: Every VB application needs to have those external dependencies (hence the creation of this project to eliminate them) :) I still however need the names\locations\etc... of these libraries for the different versions of VB, so I can extract various things of interest to the compiler.

Also, for example, I know that for VB5:

Visual Basic for Applications: msvbvm50.dll\1
Visual Basic runtime objects and procedures: msvbvm50.dll\2

Notice that for VB5 the runtime is "\2" and in VB6 it is "\3" (aside from the obvious difference of DLL names). Now, I don't know is there an Object Library? I would assume yes, but I need that information :) Which is the reason I am requesting the assistance of people with previous versions of VB. I need some other stuff checked too... so the original request stands - I need one person that has each version of VB for me to get formats and other miscellaneous items of information :)

Thanks!

MSVBVM (6.0) contains 3 object/type libraries embedded as custom resources.

this really sound like a very *usefull* app.. any eta on the public beta?
btw, anyone has a link to the vb to c++? (i'm getting into c++ and what better way to learn from programs already made thru vb.. ;-)

This thread has been online for some time now. When can we see an alpha or beta version of the software

...I can't give you a specific time frame, but I'm optimistically saying soon. We were hoping to have a pre-beta released last year around this time, but we ran into some fundamental problems with our internal translation format... actually we've re-written our intermediate format several times over the course of the last year. This is the cause of much of the delay.

Now we have a very sound intermediate format (dubbed by MxCod as MPF, Most Portable Format). It is working very well, meaning we won't be re-writing our stuff all over again.

Now I can't say much for the linking/library part of the project as I am not much involved in it yet... I can say, however, that MxCod is hard at work at it and hopes to have a pre-alpha for internal testing within the next couple weeks, I think... though I know he said coding has been a little more difficult than he had anticipated.

As for parsing the VB language, and converting it to the MPF... I can say that progress has come much more quickly than I had originally expected. I guess you could say I've had a couple "good coding days" lately and have expanded its capabilities greatly...

Just remember that VB is like 15 years old, and we are trying to recreate its compiler, taking it a step further than microsoft has. I'd say we've made remarkable progress so far, and look forward to getting a workable demo for you guys ...... soon. :)

Until then, it's back to coding!

Good Luck... hoping to see it soon :) ;)

Hello there!!!

I havent been in this thread for months!!! But don't worry, I havent' forgot about it....

hehe, I guess you guys can call me "the original webmaster" for the project... me and DevMax started on this website but after they closed down F2S, it went down...

so how is the poject going?? any news? what is the new website?

-Emo

So when is the first alpha/beta any date?

How is it going??

Sorry guys
No Website
No release
No date

But the project is still going on ! ;)

I notify you all when there's something out... For now you still have to wait for my work ;)

Hi,

I am creating a new filesharing client called Syfonic Music Community.

This client will be much larger that Napster, Kazaa etc.

It also is going to be written in the Visual Basic 6 language.
I am looking for Visual Basic programmers to help me with this client, so if you are in any way interested in helping me with this client please mailto [email protected]



-Chase
Owner of Syfonic Music Community

So *** does that fit in this topic or something???

Hehe, MS Visual Basic on Linux :D

this sinfonic guy should be banned...
well
any updates?? Somehow the Forum stopped notifying me about new answers here, so I looked for this thread if really nothing happened and I am pleased to see that it is still alive...

btw: Are you guys sure this project does not violate any MS Copyright? I got no clue about it, but I think it would be so sad, if you guys ever succeeded and the final project would betaken off the net...

I too was wondering about an MS copyright, but I'm not sure either... I wonder, does anyone else know?

I think the project is still active, but I haven't heard from MxCod in at least a month... I'm not sure what's happened with him. I do know this much - the parser that I made is definitely ready for a public alpha release, but the library is not ready... then again, I haven't heard from him a while, so my knowledge may be outdated - I guess all I know for sure is the parsing module is stable. :)

hi guys
how the project is going.

waiting for release!

Hi,
I read this post and it looks like a great idea. Do you want any help? I know VB extremely well, as well as subclassing functions, which may be useful in your app (possibly to add extra functionality). I also know some C++. If there is anything I can do to help, please e-mail me. [email protected]

Any updates on the project?

hi,
I like the concept of the project and I'd be very glad to use it when it's ready. I'd like to help if I could but I think I'm not good enough at programming etc. But what I'm maybe well able to do is the website of the project. I can't host the site myself but I suggest registrations with the following services:

- a brinkster account for the website itself (asp support for a little forum...). the only problem with brinkster is it doesn't support ftp. but there are no banners on the site and it's pretty fast. (if you know better servers for asp hosting, tell me plz...)
- a yahoo group for the files to download, the allow bigger files and (here in Belgium) an average download speed of 80 kb/s with a cable connection.
- a .tk domain name. Also no banners and it's free but quiet slow sometimes.

think that's it. if you're intrested you can mail me at [email protected]

or is it DOA?

Hi
I was thinking of trying to do the same.
Started off by working on making the forms into resources.
Didnt get that far though.

I would be interested in helping out.
I know VB pretty well, C++ to a degree and I am in the process of learning asm (masm).

The problem i think will be actually handling the manipulations of data types.

Well why dont you throw up your project on sourceforge ( you did say free didnt you?)

Either way, let me know if you could use my help.
Figure a project this complicated, youll need it. :)

packetvb

http://sourceforge.net/projects/packetvb/
VB ActiveX wrapper for WinPcap (Window Packet Capture)
Complete with help on methods and even a Test Program to show its use.

Kira: The project is still alive - we have had a brief hiatus, but are back to work again...

packetVB: I do believe devmax has taken care of type conversions and other manipulations of the sort. I can't say for sure though. As for helping out, devmax is in charge - I'll let him know you're interested - I don't think he checks the forums any more...

A little more info about the project - right now we're having problems with his program running on Win2000. This problem is rather significant because that is the OS I run, and (as far as I know) there are only two of us still working on the project. As you can imagine testing, etc... is rather difficult at the moment. As soon as that is figured out, more of our time can be dedicated to furthering the project!

Well, that's it from me for now...

Cougar

Cougar,
Thanks for the info.

I have emailed him and he said he would get back to me about help writing the lib for the beta. Guess I need to email him to see what the status is. I would like to take a look at what has been done so far and get a feel for it.
But anyway, I contact him. Thanks :)

The creator the thread is MIA :D

Yes Guyz, I'm there !

So , for the information you want, packetvb, I can't give you any precision, just that it handles type conversion that's true. Almost everything is totally converted to an asm way of thinking, so it means that writing libraries and code have the same effect : they are both full compiled into a minimalist .exe file... Maybe I'll add some optimisation feature later to handle the stability of big projects...

Anyways, soon you'll have your beta ;)

stay tuned !

I'm usually not around these parts of the forums, but decided to stray from the vb general section. Anyhow, this whole projects sounds great. I don't know ASM, but would like to learn, and help improve and extend this if I can. Could someone send me the code pls?
Thanx
Cheers.

[email protected]

nothing to more to say than the subject itself...

things are getting more and more ready everyday ;)

This sounds cool.

:cool:

Someone's got to be monitoring this thread... could someone pls send me the code?

Have you talked to anyone about the copyright stuff??

Some of the old folks here might be able to help you, but they don't seem to come down to the lower forums. :(