Making VB apps WITHOUT VB

[jamescover]

Hi all:


This is my first post:

Okay, straining all programming conventions, I have a question:


I am a web designer by trade...I know nothing about programming languages. I do know HTML, CSS, Flash, and a fair amount of Javascript, however, I want to make some very simple VB projects WITHOUT purchasing Visual Basic 6.0.
(I DO have Visual Studio 6.0., which only saves as text files.)

Is it possible???

I have spent three days looking through tons of free code, forums, apps, etc., and it appears that you need VB to compile/ deploy the necessary files.

However, is it possible to modify someone elses free sample code to your specifications, then create an executable out of the files (.frm, .vbp, .bas) using some other program? Any simple executable (.exe), or even a screen saver (.scr), would be a good example of what I am want to do. I have already this unsuccessfully. (I have two apps for creating .exe files, but they are just Installers/Uninstallers). So, what is required to run a VB program on a local machine???

I also tried to find the Microsoft Package and Deployment wizard, but to no avail. I searched MSDN for about 15 minutes, but I could only find technical articles on how to use it, not the app. Anyway, I read that it is based on the Visual Basic Package and Deployment wizard, however, it is loaded into VBA as as add-in. So, that won't do either...I'm guessing here...and everywhere...get the picture...I'm clueless.

Can someone slowly, gently, clearly tell this person, who obviously knows nothing about programming, if he can make VERY, VERY, BASIC VB apps, without purchasing Visual Basic, and if he can, how he might do that (i.e., step by step, what would be required)?

I was told in another forum that this is impossible, however, I guess I am not sold on the idea that VB is the only app that compiles VB source code. Moreover, I have downloaded several free, do as you please with, VB executables. Is there a way to use these apps by simply changing/modifying their parameter values to suit my needs, or would this require recompiling them to get them to work properly??? Probably, huh????

I realize this is asking a lot, but I thought I would ask anyway.

Thanks, in advace, for any help.


James

I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God to burnt offerings.

[crptcblade]

VB source files can be made/edited in any simple text editor, as long as you know what to put in them, and where to put it. But to make the exe files, you will need the compiler.

[jamescover]

Hi crptcblade:

Thanks for your response!!!


Just one more question:

Are there no VB compilers written by VB programmers???
Is Visual Basic the only app that compiles VB code???




James


God commended his love towards us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[nishantp]

If you look on the Communications forum, you should see a therad about something called DevMax or something. A group of guys (VB programmers) are trying to write a compiler that doesnt require VB runtimes. But thats not finished yet, and that the only other compiler i know of.

[jamescover]

Okay, guys, thanks for the info. I guess I will just have to stick to web design. I did find a VB compiler called "envelop," but I don't know if I even want to try to tackle it. Maybe I will just wait until I have more time to learn something new.


Thanks, again.

James

I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God to burnt offerings.

[Megatron]

Creating VB Apps without purchasing the Microsoft VB compiler is illegal. If you just want to learn VB (and not make commerical applications with it), you should buy the Intro or Learners edition.

[seoptimizer2001]

Originally posted by Megatron
Creating VB Apps without purchasing the Microsoft VB compiler is illegal. If you just want to learn VB (and not make commerical applications with it), you should buy the Intro or Learners edition.

The only problem is that those versions come stripped of a lot of features, which you may want/or need.

[Megatron]

True, but at least it's legal.

[seoptimizer2001]

Another good point

[Arc]

The learning addition of VB is Free andit does everything a Paid for version does except COMPILE. You can run the program stright from VB as if it were compiled but you cant distribute it to other people.


Anyway if you are just wanting to mess around and learn VB its a great way to go. Goto Mocrosoft.com and search for Learning Additon of VB you should find it.

[ksw]

(I DO have Visual Studio 6.0., which only saves as text files.)

How do you have Visual Studio and NOT have Visual Basic?? We purchased Visual Studio 6.0 Enterprise Edition and it comes with VB 6.0, V C++ 6.0, V J++ 6.0, Interdev, Source Safe and a bunch of tools, including the Package and Deployment wizard which can be run as a stand alone app and not just from the VB add-in menu, but I think you still need a VB .vbp file.

And yes, I do NOT know what ships with the other editions of Visual Studio 6.0.

--KSW

[Tygur]

The learning edition is free? Are you sure?

The only version of VB that is free, as far as I know, is VB5 CCE (Control Creation Edition). It does not make EXE's, tho. It only makes OCX's.

[d4v3]

Learning Edition is not free as far as im aware, and it doesnt do everything except compile. You are restricted as to what controls you can use, for example, no Winsock for Learning Edition. Many controls like this are "locked out" and cannot be used, shame really, how do u learn when u r denied full access.

[jamescover]

Hi guys:


I want to thank everyone for your insight. I'm just casually interested in making a few simple apps. My job keeps me busy enough, keeping up with web stuff.





"How do you have Visual Studio and NOT have Visual Basic??"

Visual Studio came with my machine, bundled with the debugger, Dev Studio, etc. Is that odd??? I don't know.


"CCE (Control Creation Edition)"

I'v already downloaded the CCE edition, but I haven't installed and run it yet. It IS free from microsoft, however, as you said, it doesn't come with the VB compiler.

One more note: I was wondering if anyone has heard of "Envelop." ???

It is a free VB compiler, but I am a bit skeptical about it, so even though I downloaded it, I haven't unpacked it yet. I got it at Freebyte, if that means anything to anyone.






At any rate, thanks, again. Everyone has been a tremendous help.


James

God commended his love towards us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[Megatron]

It can't be legal, because Visual Basic itself is owned by Microsoft.

[ksw]

"How do you have Visual Studio and NOT have Visual Basic??"

Visual Studio came with my machine, bundled with the debugger, Dev Studio, etc. Is that odd??? I don't know.

I can't really anwer your question, but it might be worth searching you hard drive to see if you do have VB. If Visual Studio was installed with the defaults, you should have a "Microsoft Visual Studio" folder. VB would be in a subfolder called "Vb98". The actual executable is "VB6.exe". If you don't have that folder structure, I'd still search for "VB6.exe". Maybe it's hiding somewhere. Just my opinion though.

--KSW

[Kevin Swanson]

If you want to learn some VB without putting out any money the best way is to use VBA in MS Word or Excel. Some functions are not available, but you can do quite a bit with it. You can use the API. Most of the functions in VB, but not in VBA can be done with the API.

You can't make EXE's, but most people have Excel and Word.

This is how I learned VB.

[jamescover]

Kevin /&/ ksw:

Thanks to everyone for your input.


I searched my HD, and all I have is an IDE98 Folder, containing the the Mse.exe (Visual Studio 6.0). However, when I open Word2000, under Tools there is: > Macros > Visual Basic Editor, and: Microsoft Script Editor. When I choose Visual Basic Editor, this is in the title bar: Microsoft Visual Basic - Normal [Design]. And when I choose Help > About, this is the version information: Version 8435 VBA:Retail 6.0.8435 Forms 3: 2.01.

So, what can I do with this version? Is this VBA? Any ideas???


Thanks, again.


James

God commended his love towards us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[d4v3]

Yes, this is VBA and you cant (as far as im aware) make exe files from it!

[thinktank2]

Originally posted by Tygur
The learning edition is free? Are you sure?

The only version of VB that is free, as far as I know, is VB5 CCE (Control Creation Edition).

Visual Basic 6 Working Model Edition that comes on a CDROM with most VB6 books is also free. Again...it can't create exes.

[TheGuru]

Tell ya learn how to program you don't really need to worry about exe's anyway. You have to really shell out the cash with the good vb versions like pro and enterpirse.. Then another version comes out and you get to shell out all that cash all over again.. A never ending process of you making good ole bill gates just a lil richer lol

If your interested in becoming a programmer the best thing ya can do is learn the programming process in visual basic then move right on to c++ as soon as ya learn it. I mean after you know the process of programming... all languages are the same .. Just syntax is different. So basicly learning cpp is like referencing the syntax more then learning how to program after ya got vb down.

[jamescover]

Okay, so I installed CCE Edition.

It has some templates, and will pretty much write a basic form for you, all you have to do is choose objects, properties, etc., then set their values by selecting them from a dropdown list, and it produces the code.

I realize VB is much more complicated than this, but what exactly can I do with the CCE Edition? I'm sure I will have to learn about declarations, expressions, modules, subroutines, etc., but where do I start???

I am asking all of these questions, because there are no associated help files with the program. Everytime I click on Help, I get a message telling me that they are not installed on my system. I'm guessing that I will have to use online help at MS. I dunno.

CCE also comes with an "Application Setup Wizard." If I can't make .exe's with this Wizard, then what is benefit/purpose of it?
Again, no help file to even tell me what it is. I know it sounds stupid, but exactly what type of Application am I setting up? ( I guess Visual Basic For Dummies and/or Sam's is in order here.)

I gather that I can make apps for running on my local computer, but not distribute them, although that's what the Wizard appears to me to do--compile my VB files so that I can run them... wherever.

TheGuru:


Most of my interests lie with HTML and Javascript. I realize that Javascript is only an object-oriented scripting language, not an object-based programming language, but there are still many similarities to computer languages in general. And behind every Javascript script, there is Java running in the browser, turning Javascript objects into Java objects, extending it's capabilities in web applications. This gives me a little insight, but I'm not really sure where to go with this, at this point.

Anyway, this is a great Forum, and everybody has been very helpful. I am a regular member at FlashKit (if anyone is familiar), and I realize the importance of forums in learning new progs/ apps.

Any more insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, again.


James

I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God to burnt offerings.

[Tygur]

You can work with the source for normal EXE apps without compiling them in VB5 CCE (as you saw). This is so you can test out your ActiveX controls that you make with it (that's its purpose - to make OCX's, or ActiveX controls).

[Tygur]

I believe you can download the help files for CCE here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/dow...umentation.asp

[jamescover]

TyGur:


Thanks for the link, and for you help!


I see I have a lot of reading to do...



James


If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

[linchen88]

Perhaps you have VB Pro, but don't know how to compile exes with it? I doubt you have the Studio without VB 6. Its File -> Compile Exe. Btw, CCE is free, but LE does cost. A good guy with a good job like you should have 'nuff to cash in a car and have more than enough change to get VS Enterprise... right?

P.S. I shamefully admit that I bought a pirated VS 6 at China. Hell I didn't even know it was pirated til my dad said so. if you're ever in the need for $1 software, goto china and look for the people who say "Ni yao ruan jar ma?"

[parksie]

Originally posted by TheGuru
So basicly learning cpp is like referencing the syntax more then learning how to program after ya got vb down.

I beg to differ.

C++ is VERY different to VB, considering that it's object-oriented and VB is not (well, not in the struct sense).