Can you convert Vb to Webbased app

[alymoiyed]

Hi Guys

I was wondering if there was any way/method to convert a vb application (it has few forms which talks to a sql server customer database and updates and adds new customer details like first name, last name and address thats it) to web based?

Ideally i dont want to recode it in ASP plus i want this vb app to be used globally by our headquarters. We have a dedicated server, can i simply convert VB application to webbased and give urls to my subordinate companies so that they can access the application via web/browser.

Thanks v much in advance and hope to recv a response as soona s possible.

Regards
Aly

[mendhak]

This was asked a couple days ago, I think. As such, no tool exists. You need to design the pages, and you can use most of the existing codebehind for the main functionality. The only other things you need to take care of are the UI elements.

HTH

[JPicasso]

We do this with a lot of our programs.

even some of our legacy VB4.0 programs.
(that ain't easy)

But basically, what the frog said.
This is one time where good coding practices for code reuse
become extremely important.



The good part is, you have job security.

[mendhak]

Originally posted by JPicasso
This is one time where good coding practices for code reuse
become extremely important.

And it's also a time when you can watch your coworkers literally kick themselves in the butt for not doing it properly


Btw, I'm not sure if this is even a VB.NET/ASP.NET question. I get a feeling it's VB6 and ASP3...

[alymoiyed]

So according to you guys it is possible to convert Vb app to asp by the way of a simple switch in VB ?

[nemaroller]

No, i don't think anyone said that.

It just makes it easier if you abstracted your data logic from your user interface logic...

[alymoiyed]

The problem is logic wise its easier to code a webpage from scratch but some functionalities like priniting Labels, opening up word document form the application and all that seems like a very difficult task to do it on a webbased app.. any thoughts or help?

[nemaroller]

Well, your web app can't really open anything on the client's computer without permission. They can upload it to you, you can display it in a htmleditbox or the like.

What really does your app do?

[mendhak]

Originally posted by alymoiyed
The problem is logic wise its easier to code a webpage from scratch but some functionalities like priniting Labels, opening up word document form the application and all that seems like a very difficult task to do it on a webbased app.. any thoughts or help?

Again, is this ASP.NET or ASP 3.0?

Anyways, things go a little different with web pages. The user decides when he wants to print, and what to print. The only grace for you is that you can make him a nice report for example. You can give him the labels on a page.

As for the word doc, it can be 'included' into the browser, so when he clicks on the link to the DOC file, it opens up within the IE window. (And only IE).

Compromises, but for the better.

[alymoiyed]

Reply to nemaroller's question:

The app is an accounting package - the package needs to link to ecommerce site the client has. This helps my client save some time inputing orders in thsi package. The package is so stubborn that it cant link in to any webbased app or doesnt allow any csv import or export feature.

I suggested the client to convert each and every bit of this accounting software and make it webbased.. there are few elements which are difficult to do webbased and i was wondering if i duplicate the accounting package using VB and then if there was an easy switch to convert it to webbased would helo my client.

[JPicasso]

There is still no clue as to if this is VB6 or .NET.

The complexity hinges on how you duplicate his accounting software.

If you code it correctly (i.e. separate the interface from the
rules and functions) then it will be less than one huge mess.

If you don't, you might as well consider writing two separate applications.
One for stand-alone and one for the web.
Or, just do it for the web and forget stand-alone.