no source code --no programmer

[chasmanmason]

I have my 7 yr old program -- need to change 1 line ( Calculation ) Is there a way without the source code ? He said it was done in visual basic

[si_the_geek]

Welcome to VBForums

As your question doesn't involve databases, I have moved this thread from the 'Database Development' forum to the 'General Developer' forum.

Whether it is possible depends mainly on which of the variations and editions of Visual Basic it was, but the answer is almost certainly no. Given "7 years" I suspect an edition of VB6, in which case it is a definite no.

[FireXtol]

What exactly needs to be changed? It's likely possible by modifying the byte code of the executable.

Anything beyond changing a value or something like a simple 'replacement' is going to require a bit more work, and you'll need to find a programmer that's skilled in assembly, and 'patching' software.

[chasmanmason]

ty you The program start up says it was crealed in 2002 - It also has windows version with certain number I need to change one word and it makes calucations and prints them on screen. I need to change formula for one calculation ( mathmatical )

[Shaggy Hiker]

There is a slim chance that it was .NET, as that first came out in 2002. Therefore, the program could be saying that it was created (written) in .NET2002, but that is almost certainly not the case, as .NET2002 was probably not called that until later.

Changing a formula is a serious change, not the simple value change that FireXtol was referencing. A value would occupy a couple bytes in memory that could be altered. A formula would represent some significant series of processor instructions. That would require the programmer with the skills that FireXtol mentioned.

[ntg]

hasmanmason by saying "your program" you mean that you have the rights to it?

[chasmanmason]

Yes -- I donnload a commadeliment file from outside source -- It will put these into evaluations and be represented by numbers ( simple calculations ) I paid the programmer in 02 and my name is in program as owner. I need to change one file name and one calculation ty

[ntg]

If you don't have the source, you will have to go down the road FireXtol already suggested. As Shaggy has also said, it's not as trivial as changing a couple of bytes in a binary file.

I don't think that anyone can provide any further meaningful suggestions unless you can provide more input.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Most people won't be able to provide any further meaningful suggestions no matter what input you provide. I would not be getting my hopes up. Without the source code, the change needed, though it may seem trivial to you, would require a highly specialized skill set, which won't come cheaply. You will have to decide how much you are willing to sink into this. Of course, if the program is mission critical, you are now stuck between a few bad options.

[chasmanmason]

thanks for your help - Its not critical , just would like to have it more appealing. Im a pony player that will be starting a site soon. I want to give new players some direction , it has taken about 30 yrs. to develope reliable mathmatic indicators , since there can not be a true mathmatical formula I intend to share the program ( not charge ) ty for your imput

[chasmanmason]

I found this on set up disk setup- microsoft visual studio
file ver 7.0xxxx.xxxx x are rep by numbers

created 1/4/2002

Does this rep anything

also has 4 letters for programmers name

ty

[ntg]

That may indicate that the software is written in .Net 2002. If that's so and assuming that the executable and associated libraries are not protected or obfuscated, the software could be decompiled using something like Reflector.

[chasmanmason]

Thanks for everyones response -- It has been very helpful.