Can VB6 program run on Win 8 tablet ?

[Bobbles]

I have a small VB6 program that has no dependencies. (a special calculator)
Someone has pleaded with me to write it for smart phones, but I am too old to be going through those (learning) hoops.
If he were to purchase a Windows 8 tablet, would my VB6 program run on that ?

[esposito]

I have a small VB6 program that has no dependencies. (a special calculator)
Someone has pleaded with me to write it for smart phones, but I am too old to be going through those (learning) hoops.
If he were to purchase a Windows 8 tablet, would my VB6 program run on that ?

It all depends on which version of the OS the tablet is equipped with. If it is Windows 8, there's no problem: all software that can run on Windows 7 can also run on Windows 8. If it is Windows RT, the answer to your question is a resounding "NO".

Yesterday I bought a new PC equipped with Windows 8 and I tested all my apps developed in Delphi and VB6. All of them worked without any problem. Nevertheless, I was very disappointed when I downloaded an app from my Web site and noticed that the new Windows Smartscreen by default prevents the user from installing it.

In particular, when you try to install it you get the following warning message:

Windows protected your PC.
Windows Smartscreen prevented an unrecognised program from starting. Running this program might put your PC at risk.

On the same screen you can see a button ("OK") and a link ("More info"). If you click on "OK" you abort the installation. If you click on "More info" two new buttons appear: "Run Anyway" and "Don't Run".

In my opinion, not many users will click on "More info" and, consequently, if your apps are unsigned (as mine are), your sales may take a dive because your potential customers may not be able to install them ("More info" is not very attractive as a link and most users may just ignore it). Personally, I consider it unfair competition on behalf of M$.

[Bobbles]

Thanks for responding.
I am not sure what 'RT' means. Some Googling will be needed.
(I have been ignoring Win 8 up until today, as I thought I had no use for it.)

I am hoping that I don't have similar problems to the one you described ?
The reason that I write programs with no dependencies, is to avoid the user having to use any installer.
ALL programs that I have written, that have no dependencies, can just be placed into a folder in W98(SE), XP, Win 7 and will just run.

[esposito]

Thanks for responding.
I am not sure what 'RT' means. Some Googling will be needed.
(I have been ignoring Win 8 up until today, as I thought I had no use for it.)

I am hoping that I don't have similar problems to the one you described ?
The reason that I write programs with no dependencies, is to avoid the user having to use any installer.
ALL programs that I have written, that have no dependencies, can just be placed into a folder in W98(SE), XP, Win 7 and will just run.

Windows RT stands for Windows RunTime, that is the new OS optimized for devises equipped with an ARM processor, typically tablets. The only way you can distribute an app designed for Windows RT is through the Microsoft Store.

I'm sorry to disillusion you but it doesn't matter if your apps do not have a setup package and/or dependencies. Any executable file (even in ZIP format) that is downloaded form the Internet is intercepted by Windows Smartscreen which blocks it and warns the user about the potential danger. Try to believe.

[esposito]

By the way, this is what Windows Smartscreen looks like when it detects an unsigned application.

[dilettante]

Microsoft has confused things again, though whether on purpose or through continuing ineptitude is hard to say.

They are not the company they once were.


What most people have come to think of as "tablets" now are thin and light low-power/long-battery-life devices based largely on cellphone technology. These use ARM-core processors. Microsoft addresses new models of these now via a special, dumbed-down Windows 8 OS that only includes the new Metro WintRT subsystem (or at least for all practical purposes it does).

They cannot run any VB6 program, or even most common .Net programs, C++ programs, Delphi programs, or pretty much anything else from a normal Windows machine. Even if you acquire the new WinRT-oriented programming tools and write a Metro applet for them, there is no practical way to give the program to somebody else for their computer. Distribution is almost entirely through Microsoft's new Store, and getting a product accepted there is very, very tough.


There is also a Windows 8 out for regular PCs. Yes, some of these are "tablet form-factor" devices and have touch screens. But they also use x86 or x64 processors and can have Windows 7, etc. installed on them instead. They tend to be bigger, heavier, somewhat less battery life (like a laptop) - and are more powerful in what they can do.

VB6 programs run fine on those.

[Doogle]

, there is no practical way to give the program to somebody else for their computer. Distribution is almost entirely through Microsoft's new Store, and getting a product accepted there is very, very tough.

Presumably, the 'script kiddies' will soon find a way round that.

I'd have thought that, with the US's strict competition Laws, someone would have raised the question, although Apple have been doing this sort of thing for some time haven't they? (i.e. Forcing purchase through a Monopoly)

[Zvoni]

Presumably, the 'script kiddies' will soon find a way round that.

I'd have thought that, with the US's strict competition Laws, someone would have raised the question, although Apple have been doing this sort of thing for some time haven't they? (i.e. Forcing purchase through a Monopoly)

With the exception of jailbreaking an Apple-Device which is, as i understand it, per se not illegal. You're only losing the warranty.
In this case you can use Cydia as your App-Store.

[dilettante]

I'd have thought that, with the US's strict competition Laws...

There must be another US aside from the one I live in. Though they do tend to favor duopolies and cartels a bit more than provable monopolies here.

[SuperDre]

With the exception of jailbreaking an Apple-Device which is, as i understand it, per se not illegal. You're only losing the warranty.
In this case you can use Cydia as your App-Store.

only iPhone is allowed to jailbreak, but iPad isn't (was a lawsuit about in the news last week)..

Yes, Apple has been doing this for some time now (since the first iPhone), and it seems they are trying to do the same with future releases of OSX.
MS will propably get slapped for it even though they have no monopoly on the tablet/phone market.. For me it's also one of the reasons why I'm not going to invest real time/money in developing for Windows RT (let's not forget that it also aplies to the desktopversion (ie Metro-apps)).
Personally I also don't like the fullscreen big layout space wasting kindergarten look of the apps on the desktop, it's ok for use on a tablet/phone, but not for the desktop.. Also let's not forget that switching the app put's it into suspendmode and if windows needs some memory it can just terminate it whenever it wants without the developer getting an event of it (only when it enters suspendmode)..

MS is trying hard to prevent normal users from installing regular windows applications and try to get as many applications into the windowstore which makes them money.. You want to run your own windows metro apps, you'll have to buy a developer license which costs about $99 each year, but you'll be able to publish on any MS-store (also XNA).

[techgnome]

MS is trying hard to prevent normal users from installing regular windows applications and try to get as many applications into the windowstore which makes them money.. You want to run your own windows metro apps, you'll have to buy a developer license which costs about $99 each year, but you'll be able to publish on any MS-store (also XNA).

That's not the first time I've seen someone quote that $99 for developer license... and I have to wonder... where did THAT come from? Because it certainly didn't come from here...

A developer license for Windows 8 lets you install, develop, test, and evaluate Windows Store apps before the Windows Store tests and certifies them. Developer licenses are free, and you can get as many as you need if you already have a Microsoft account.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr.../hh974578.aspx


-tg

[dilettante]

Windows 8 App Developer Says Process Stinks

So Harmon added fixes--as best he could, given the "vague" error documentation provided by Microsoft--and resubmitted the application. Ultimately, however, the app failed the store-review process a total of six times, leading Harmon to blog this week that "I still don't know what is causing the failure."

"Windows 8 is a great opportunity for developers, but as it stands, they are in for a world of hurt in trying to get through that last hurdle," he said, referring to the approval process. "As a long-time Windows developer, I really hope that changes soon."

Editor's Note: In an update to this story, Harmon contacted us late Friday to say that his app has finally been accepted.

[Bobbles]

I see a light at the end of the Tunnel, and I don't think it is a wide freight train.

Microsoft Surface RT vs Surface Pro
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/10...s-surface-pro/

[dilettante]

Surface Pro is likely to be a fairly pricy device using some of the same materials as in Surface but otherwise having little in common.

There are already a lot of 3rd party announcements for tablets running "real" Windows 8 without taking out a 2nd mortgage. For that matter many existing tablets that shipped with Vista or Win7 can have Win8 installed. The most common factor preventing it is screen resolution below 1024 x 768.

[Bobbles]

If he decides to purchase Tablets, I will look for the cheaper ones.
Actually I would prefer Win 7, or even better XP

In your last sentence, are you saying that resolutions will be lower than 1024 x 768 ?
My calculator fits into 800 x 600, so I may be OK ?

Thanks for extra info,
Rob

[dilettante]

The small, cheap, light tablets use ARM processors and cannot run your VB6 program.

My lasrt sentence means what it says, but to turn it around: Windows 8 requires at least 1024 x 768 and doesn't run on x86 tablets with any lower resolution.

[kozzen]

i had the same problem or question.

i asked it to my computerstore and they said when you take a tablet with win8 PRO then its possible. else the answer was NO, just apps you can install.

[mjohnlq]

here to ask microsoft to let vb6 run on win8:
http://visualstudio.uservoice.com/fo...improved-versi

[techgnome]

if the tablet is x86-based.... you have a decent chance at getting it to run your VB6 app... if it's ARM based (as most tablets are)... then the odds go down to about 0.

-tg

[esposito]

here to ask microsoft to let vb6 run on win8:
http://visualstudio.uservoice.com/fo...improved-versi

That forum is not "to ask microsoft to let vb6 run on win8" but to ask Microsoft to bring back classic Visual Basic as COM development. Basically, they should release Visual Basic 7.0 (unmanaged version).