What is Visual Basic (VB) ?
Visual Basic (VB) is a programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) first released by Microsoft in 1991. It was developed with the aim of simplifying software development, specifically for Windows applications. VB features a simple syntax, a drag-and-drop interface for designing user interfaces and supports event driven programming.
Over time, it has evolved into Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET) within the .NET framework, opening it up to cross-platform development capabilities.
Is VB Still A Viable Programming Language?
VB, particularly classic VB, has largely fallen out of favour compared to it's more modern counterparts. However, VB.NET, is very much still used in some enterprise software applications, legacy systems and by companies who specifically require their applications to be built in VB for whatever reason. It’s not as popular as programming languages like C#, Python or JavaScript, but it can still be a viable option for specific use cases, especially within environments that heavily utilise Microsoft technologies.
What Does VB.NET Offer?
There are a number of features that mean VB.NET is still an attractive programming language to some organisations, here we look at some of them.
Integration with Microsoft Tech
VB.NET was designed to seamlessly integrate with other tools and technologies in the Microsoft ecosystem. This is good news for companies who use applications that rely on the Microsoft ecosystem such as Office, SQL Server etc.
Rapid Development
VB.NET offers rapid application development - even by todays standards. It's syntax is widely regarded as user-friendly, it has integrated tools that help with the development process and also offers a drag and drop interface that allows developers to easily modify code.
Legacy Support
As covered above, many businesses still use legacy systems written in classic VB. VB.NET provides a pathway for maintaining and updating these systems whilst leveraging modern features.
Strong Community and Resources
Whilst not as active as it once was, there is a solid, established community of VB developers as well as a wide range of resources and libraries available amassed over many years, that can help find solutions to problems or issues that developers may encounter.
'Easy To Learn'
Whilst 'easy to learn' might not be accurate for all, VB.NET is known within the developer community for it's ease of learning and readability.
Windows Applications
As a Microsoft technology itself, VB.NET is particularly well-suited for building Windows desktop applications and services, especially for businesses that primarily operate in Windows environments. Microsoft fans rejoice!
What Do Organisations Use VB For?
Whilst it may not be the most common choice, VB can still be a practical option depending on a business's specific needs and existing infrastructure. Here, we take a look at some common use cases for VB.
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
- Microsoft Office Automation - VBA is widely used for automating tasks in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word and Access. Businesses and professionals still rely on VBA to create macros, automate repetitive tasks and develop custom functionalities in their documentation.
- Custom Solutions in Enterprise - Many enterprises use VBA to build custom solutions that integrate with their existing Microsoft Office workflows. These existing codebases are the output of significant investments and rewriting them in a new language may not be a plausible or cost effective option.
Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET)
- Legacy Systems Maintenance - Businesses of all shapes and sizes still have legacy systems and applications written in VB.NET that continue to be maintained and updated.
- Windows Desktop Applications - VB.NET is still used to develop Windows desktop applications, especially in scenarios where businesses have developers that are highly experienced in the language. This is particularly common in SMEs.
How Can We Help
If your business relies on legacy systems built with Visual Basic or you need to develop new solutions that must be built in VB - we’re here to help. With nearly three decades of experience, our team can provide expert support, from maintaining and upgrading your existing VB projects to helping you modernise your business applications by migrating them to more recent technologies. Whether it's custom VBA automation, VB.NET application development or legacy system maintenance & support, we can ensure your systems remain robust, efficient and functioning how they should! Reach out to us today and let’s discuss how we can support your business’s unique needs.
FAQ's
Q) Are VB .NET and .NET the same?
A) VB.NET is simply Visual Basic using the .NET framework. .NET describes the general framework and can be written in a choice of languages with Visual Basic being one of them.
