Making Vb Compilator without runtimes

[devmax]

Hi everyone !

I'm a developer in VB, VC++, PERL, win32asm, scripting and else..

And I'm working on a quite intresting project : un vb compiler. Means it makes .exe files with your VB project but it uses NO Runtimes ( ****ing .dll files like MSVBMV60.dll ).

Here is how it works : it reads easily your project, translate it into asm compiled and then write it in an .exe file. So it makes .exe file, about 3 KB big.

I have already started it and it works very well !!!
But ok.. its really the begining, the only syntax it recognizes is "MsgBox" But it creates .exe files exactly same-look as vb created.

But it's a very difficult project, so i need some really good programmers in vb and asm. ( I could explain some bases of compiled asm to guys who are not experimented )

I was reading the thread talking about program compiled secured or not... And it's talk also about Fusion.. Ths prog is just a package creator, wich include all the dll, so I think my idea could be an easier way to distribute your progz... You're free then to use an encryption protector..

So, tell me if you wanna join me, I haven't find any enough good programmer on IRC,so if you are interrested, please write me by email at [email protected] or on ICQ ( 41300352 ) ..

I'm waiting for you guys..


Don't forget to send me your questions, or if you want more infos..

[devmax]

Oh, and i forgot something : Everything I code is only for free this prog could be a very powerful tool, but i want it to be used by everyone for free, so i'm looking for person in this kinda ideas, i don't want to code for money, just to help people or for fun...

So once again, if you read this, please reply

@+

[BitBlt]

Brilliant idea ! but how will it be able to read already compiled objects like ocx's and dll's ? will they be decompiled ?

[devmax]

No, If there are some compiled files ( like custom ocx or something ) added to the project, they will be added with the .exe file, means they won't be IN the file but the file will contain "dependencies" to the custom library.

Anyway, the most used ocxs included in VB can be "translated" into api declarations, so regognized ocxs (like winsock etc.. ) will be placed into the body of the .exe file, and not like external dependencies.

[ExtremePimpness]

i don't think i can help but i want to wish you the best of luck and i wouldn't mind seeing the final product. When it is done i will be more than glad to post it on my soon to be web page www.slammeddesigns.f2s.com with your name by it

[devmax]

Oh, you think you can't help because you're too busy or just because you think you don't have enough knowledge ?
if it's that, there is no prob, i can teach you everything i know... but i really want to do this project, and i don't think i'll be able to realize it alone... So if you're quite good in vb, that's enough for me...

Think about it...

[ExtremePimpness]

i am still learning alot in vb but i know some stuff but i am a little busy right now and when i get my web page done i will contact you and see what i can help with

[boyindra]

hello my name is boy indra
i really want to joint you but i cannot promise you much of my time.

i am pretty good in vb and c/c++ (brainbench certified) but i am bad in asm

if u think it's ok, you can contact me at yahoo messanger
my id is boy_indra

[KrishnaSantosh]

Dear Friends,

I'm Much Interested In This Project. I'm Pretty Good At VB6. And Also have Some Knowledge At VB.NET. I'm Quite Comfortable With Win API And Got Some Knowledge Using C/C++. But Im Not That Strong In asm. But I Want To Know asm atleast To Complete Our(Your) Project.

Hope You Dont Mind

[devmax]

No prob, my icq number is 41300352

Let me know if you want me to send you the starting of the project

BTW, I finally solved the matter stopping me in my working : I know now how to compile ressources, so, we're on working very hard now...

I would also be interested in helping where i can in your project. I know assembly..

[ExtremePimpness]

also can you have the program render the asm code files so that you can add or optimize your code, that you made in vb, in asm

[ExtremePimpness]

oh and if you can make a small program that will take a modual in vb and turn it into machine code and then convert it back to c++ if poswsible that would be great but that is a future project and only if you have time but if you finish this project that should be a walk in the park

[KrishnaSantosh]

There is already a shareware that transforms VB Code
to C++ Code.

[devmax]

Hey, wait a second, my program isn't a translator, it's a compilator which makes .exe files

anyway, of course first i was thinking about making asm files and then compiling them with an asm compilator, but I saw that any other compilators are using a linker, and this program is made by microsoft and is quite big...
So i've taken the challenge to create directly .exe files from my project...

And else, making c++ files would be very harder because these two languages are very far from each others and it's very difficult to translate from one to other...

Think about it

[Emo]

ExtremePimpness,
I think I have the app you need! Once I found it somewhere (I can't remember where) but it converts VB automaion code into Visual C++!

If you want it, E-mail me and I'll send it to you!
[email protected]

-Emo

Guys... He doesn't need a C++ etc convertor. He REALLY does have a compiler. I have seen the code. I have tested it. STEngineeer and I are loving what he has created here. It's the first Visual Basic Compiler that REALLY does NOT need runtimes. AND, once I get the code on how to create a FORM using an API call, then Devmax, STEngineer and I will be able to complete the cycle..

[ExtremePimpness]

oh i kno that but I wouldn't mind being able to convert between languages other than asm but he said that it won't output any source because it would be more complicated to do

Well, it looks like the Compiler might happen. I got code today that allowed us to make a Form without the VB-Runtimes. I gave it to DevMax. We'll see what he does with it. I know i'll be hacking the code I got so that I can make my LCARS programs without those blasted Runtimes. I can't wait to see if DevMax makes that compiler or not.

Hi I have been reading some of the comments about this project your Building and I think it's a good idea I have also tryed to make a compiler or shuld I say a interpreter. but never got it finshed I would I am quite good in Visual Basic and not to bad in Delphi but no of no ASM but are willing to have a go. If you think I can aresitet you in anyway please email me at

[email protected]

Also you might want to have a look at some of my Visual basic websites and projects I have done

http://www.codearchive.com/~dreamvb/

and

http://www.developers-answers.com/cats/prog/index.htm

and last my DM++ interpreter I tryed to make

http://www.planet-source-code.com/xq...s/ShowCode.htm

[stjepan]

Hello, I'm very interested about your project. Also, I like the idea about that you want it to be free.
Please, send me a mail - [email protected]
I'm quite good at VB and I'm sure that I can help.
But, with ASM I'll need some help.

Thanks

[Lord Orwell]

me too. i've also got a great idea. Your compiler could have an extra function that vb doesn't currently have. in-line assembly

I've got some motivation for you. I would be willing to PAY for it.
keep us all updated on how the project is coming please
[email protected]

[stjepan]

maybe you're not interested to work with me like I'm iterested to work with you but I think that at least you should give me an answer.
I know that my english is very bad, but I think that I was quite clear in my last post to you.

I'm kidding ...

Really, I'm very interested about your project and I hope you'll send me some more informations - soon !

[shragel]

Sound's Great Could help in VB

[devmax]

Hi guys !!!
Yes of course i'd like you to work with me !!!
But i didn't answer, 'cause i was out for several weeks...

Now, i'll send you all an e-mail to tell you what to do, what t o learn and else....

[devmax]

Yes, i've just send you all an e-mail and some of your e-mail adresses don't work ( like stjepan ).. so please send me all your REAL adresses working @ [email protected]

Thanx...

[Sastraxi]

Hey...

interested in both compilator AND vb-c++ code..
if you could, could you send it to me?

[email protected]

[Sastraxi]

(when I say send it to me I mean the vb-c++ thing, I'm sorry but I am currently working on TOW)

[spiffle2k]

hey ya'll
Just thought i'd mention something before you get too far into this project. Although it is an AMAZING idea, if you can get it to work, is it worth the work, will it be helpful?

With vb.Net looming around the corner, it would be useless as:
1) A fair amount of the syntax will have changed
2) It will work different in terms of memory managment etc.
3) It uses a Common Language Runtime (CLR - i think that is what it stands for), this means that any system that has the .Net framework installed will allow any .Net program to run on it. All new versions of the windows operating system will have the framework installed on it and many new software titles from Microsoft will also have this as an extra to install. Therefore an increasing number of PC's will have the .Net framework on so your programs are more likely to run straight away without any hassle. Another plus of the CLR is that companies other than microsoft are developing languages for it such as cobol, pascal, etc (more than 200 seperate companies are planning to utilise this in their new languages) so they will bundle the framework with their software as well.

What did I hear you say? Wot about if i need to setup my own dll's etc, I've still got the 'DLL hell' to overcome. Well now you don't have to go through all the hassle of registering the components, you can just use a simple xcopy command and the CLR will take care of the rest. It registers it and can even handle multiple copys/versions of the same component without anything going wrong.

So all in all I don't reckon its worth it as within the next 2-3 years the .Net thang will eventually take over and the majority of programmers will be using it rather than the old VB (it could even be within the next year, although i doubt it). The only reason I can find for doing the project would be for your own personal satisfaction, in the fact that you will learn a hell of a lot while learning it.

Tell me if i'm wrong i don't mind admitting it, or if you just plain disagree then just tell me to p*** off,

c ya'll

[Lord Orwell]

Personally, i think its a great idea due to the fact it will be very fast. Just think: Not only will it compile vb code smaller and faster than any current vb will, but it won't have the limitations of the current vb either. You could subclass any window with the api calls, etc. because assembly allows that.
vb.net doesn't have any changes in the syntax. It is just stricter on what it allows.

And as for vb-net, I don't plan on shelling out 1/2 a month's pay any time soon for more bloatware that will slow my computer down even more. I still use vb 5 and it does everything i need it to do. Every function that vb6 adds can be emulated easily in vb 5 with a line or two of code. And who uses them anyway? Is strrev really necessary?
Anyway that is my point.

[DavidHooper]

hello lads. any updates on the amazing compiler? how would it interface with existing vb environment - an option to compile with your compiler or the original?

how many poeple don;t have the runtimes do you think?

[devmax]

Hey guy, the amazing compiler as you call it is being called 'VBMaX'
latest updates are only sended to workers right now, because i send only source code, and it has to be perfected..
The interface is a little dialog that ask you to browse for a project then it compile it..
If you have some suggests, i'd like

[Lord Orwell]

it would be a fair bet the nearly everyone has the runtimes.
the problem with the runtimes is that they are runtimes, not real .dlls
older vb when you compiled it compiled to pseudocode and ran an interpreter. Newer vb versions (5 and 6) have the option to compile to native code, but they still use the pseudocode runtimes. This is one of the main reasons that vb is about 1/6 as fast as c in most applications.

His vbmax compiler will compile to tight assembly which will in theory be even faster than c.

I am all for speed

I wish everyone luck who works on this project

[devmax]

Of course assembly is faster but remember...
For a BIG project, i mean MDI applications VERY big, using a lot of components, i don't think it's very worth using vb with my compiler, cuz for this, there is another VERY GOOD way : Delphi, the latest versions are pretty good tu use and kewl looking...

By the way, for all your little app you want to send to a friend i think MY compiler is the best way

and thanx a lot for your sponsor lord orwell, and others

[PsychoMark]

I've read this thread before, but now I'm seeing actual progress...

I think it's a great idea! It would be even better than VB.Net. I always thought VB.Net wouldn't need any runtimes anymore, but now I've heard that it needs the ".Net Framework", yeah right, just a fancy name for the same runtimes but shared between languages. I think compiling VB5/6 into straight ASM would be MUCH faster and doesn't rely on the "Framework".

Sorry, I can't help you on the project itself, basically because I don't have the time. But I just felt I needed to let you know that it's a great idea, and if it's (completely) working and freeware too that it would kick C++ and .Net's a$$!!

[DavidHooper]

...how's it going? (sorry, no pressurising intended!)
what features have been implemented? i totally agree about the net framework, a fancy name for runtimes in disguise. i've bookmarked this thread as well!

[devmax]

Hi guys !

So here's how it is going :

i'm working hard on the project...
But i got a lot of communication-matters with all peoples who wanted to work with me...

Actual features :
-Little debug function ( just show what the app is doing and so you see what happened is it doesnen't work)
-adding api declarations
-Other predefined functions are being compiled as soon as my co-worker has finished the syntax recognition
-Form translation into ressource file, so forms are compilable, but events aren't compiled right now...( very soon )

First release that will allow you to compile forms, msgbox, inputbox functions will be downloadable very soon, STAY TUNED !

Thanx to all for sponsoring

[KrishnaSantosh]

If you could send me the blueprint of all the syntax and the rest, I could attempt at creating an good RAD Tool for your compiler. Why dont you take a look at this.

[PsychoMark]

It seems to me he already has a RAD tool: Visual Basic

[jenk]

Hi Compiler team,
How is your project com'in on. I've made a compiler but not for the
PC - it was for a Z80 based system for interfacing equipment. I've
not got my hands dirty in ASM for a while now.

I did look at the instruction set for the Intel processors - far
to many though!!!!! - I did write a utility to flash the keyboard
led's / fill keybuffer with other keystrokes in dos once.

Anyway the last ASM project I got involed in was using PIC micros
- cool for electronic stuff (NOT much good for VB compiler though)

How easy is it to write stuff for a GUI based system in ASM ?
Doesn't the OS get in the way (or even dictate procedures for you)

Anyway I look forward for any news you have on your project.

Cheers all.