Code converters for successful VB6 migration
This post is a quick overview of an Abto Software blog article.
Visual Basic 6, well-known and widespread, is a programming language as well as environment by Microsoft. Visual Basic’s sixth version, part of Visual Studio, was released in 1998 and was the last ever version of the programming language in its original form before the VB.NET transition.
It was widely used for creating business applications, automation scripts, as well as dynamic web applications. But still, as technology kept progressing, the third-generation programming language has lost mainline support, thus starting the shift towards more modern technologies, in particular towards the .NET framework.
But how can one successfully convert legacy applications that embed mission-critical functionality and logic? Let’s find this out.
VB6 to .NET converters: a comparison
The tools listed below are solutions specifically designed to migrate Visual Basic 6 code to the .NET framework. These tools can automate great portions and translate the syntax, original structures, and even the controls into contemporary .NET equivalents.
But let’s get into more detail:
Code Architect’s Visual Basic Migration Partner
The VB Migration Partner is an automation software that assists with migrating Visual Basic 6 applications. Unlike similar competitor programs, it’s focused around customization and empowering software developers to adjust the process to the project’s requirements and goals.
Key characteristics:
- .NET support: .NET framework, .NET Core
- Legacy APIs: advanced support, automatic replacement and emulation
- Conversion strategy: fine-grained conversion, preserving patterns and behavior
- Conversion accuracy: high accuracy, with attention to maintaining legacy structure and behavior
- Customization: extensive customization, custom converters and directives
- Documentation: extensive documentation and tutorials, sample projects
Important features:
- Migration pragmas — special comments that guide the program when handling specific segments
- Migration profiles — custom settings that allow the engineers to tailor the process
- Error reporting and suggestions for encountered code issues
- Comprehensive documentation and tutorials for different code scenarios
Visual Studio Upgrade Assistant by Microsoft
Next one, the Microsoft Upgrade Assistant, another popular automation solution for smooth VB conversion. The difference between this and other competitor assistants — it is mostly used to modernize .NET applications.
Key characteristics:
- .NET support: .NET 5 and later, .NET Core version 3.1
- Legacy APIs: limited support, manual interventions
- Conversion strategy: direct conversion
- Conversion accuracy: moderate accuracy, with focus on transitioning to modern C# code
- Customization: limited customization possible through command-line options
- Documentation: Microsoft docs, community contributions
Important features:
- .NET modernization — .NET framework to modern .NET Core/5/6/7 built-in upgrades
- Visual Studio IDE integration, which enables software developers to use familiar tools
- Guided upgrades, including step-by-step VB6 to VB.NET migration
- Continuous updates to support the latest .NET technologies
Visual Basic Upgrade Companion by Mobilize.Net
And lastly, the Mobilize.Net Upgrade Companion, a prominent automation solution for eased VB conversion. One thing worth mentioning — the assistant is gaining more and more momentum for its extensive features, which facilitate smooth migration into the .NET environment.
Key characteristics:
- .NET support: .NET framework, .NET Core
- Legacy APIs: comprehensive support, detailed reports and suggestions
- Conversion strategy: detailed conversion, extensive analysis
- Conversion accuracy: high accuracy, with focus on preserving legacy functionality and performance
- Customization: extensive customization, custom rules and adjustments
- Documentation: extensive documentation and tutorials, case studies
Important features:
- Enterprise-level migration — object-oriented code, third-party controls, and advanced data types
- Customization options, in particular custom rules and profiles
- Detailed reports to highlight encountered issues and suggest manual fixes
- Regular updates to support the latest .NET technologies
VB6 to .NET converters: practical application
The tools we described are designed for simplifying code conversion and provide similar features and benefits. Automated conversion, error identification and reporting, object-oriented features, cross-platform support — all these are capabilities you look for when automating routines associated with VB6 to .NET transition.
Given that, how do you choose the tool that suits your project?
Getting started, you have to account for scope and complexity, customization, documentation, and objectives. Other aspects to consider — business logic, data types, dependencies, libraries, and other code characteristics that make up your legacy application.
But let us help you out:
Migration Partner is best for approaching:
- Different-scale projects that require extensive control
- Complex applications with sophisticated business logic and unique code structures
Visual Studio Upgrade Assistant:
- .NET applications that require an upgrade
- VB6 applications that require basic conversion
- Existing projects that transition from older .NET versions to newer .NET Core/5/6/7
- And scenarios that necessitate Visual Studio ecosystem integration
Visual Basic Upgrade Companion:
- Large-scale projects, including complex and extensive VB6 applications
- Complex applications that include third-party controls and large legacy codebases
Summing up
Partner with industry professionals that handle automated and manual migration with ease.
Our engineers can handle every stage from investigation to planning, assessment, preparation, and translation. Undesired performance and functionality, limited functionality, security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues — our clients forget about legacy challenges right after our cooperation.
Our services:
- Business analysis and consulting
- Project setup and kick-off
- Code conversion
- Code finalization
- Acceptance testing and improvement
- Quality assurance and deployment
Your benefits:
- Higher performance and efficiency
- Expanded functionality and scalability
- Improved security through updates and patches
- Enhanced compatibility across platforms and devices
- Long-term support and maintenance
- Cloud compatibility
