Introduction
When compared with other programming languages, VB is arguably very mature. Despite this, there are still many benefits of visual basic and it is still widely used today for both maintenance and new application development. Here, we look at the pros and cons of using VB as the programming language for your business application(s).
Pros of VB
- Ease of Use - Visual Basic was developed to be easy to use, making it accessible to beginners and even non-programmers. It's syntax is relatively simple and straightforward, using English-like keywords and a graphical user interface (GUI) builder for designing interfaces.
- Legacy Support - Many legacy applications are written in Visual Basic and there is still a need for maintenance and updates. VB provides backward compatibility, allowing developers to maintain and extend existing applications which negates the need for investment into new technologies.
- Integration with Microsoft Technologies - VB is part of the Microsoft Ecosystem so it integrates well with other Microsoft technologies such as the .NET framework, Microsoft Office applications and databases like Microsoft SQL Server which in turn, allows for the development of comprehensive solutions within the Microsoft ecosystem.
- RAD (Rapid Application Development) - VB allows for rapid development of applications due to its drag-and-drop interface, extensive library of pre-built controls and integrated development environment (IDE) features like auto-complete and debugging tools.
- Large Community and Resources - Because it has been a popular programming language for many years, VB has a large community of developers and a plethora of resources such as tutorials, forums and libraries, making it easier to find help and solutions to problems.
Cons of VB
- Limited Platform Support - Visual Basic is predominantly used to develop applications for the Windows platform which in turn, limits it's use for cross-platform development. Whilst there are ways to run VB applications on other platforms, it's not as streamlined as it is with other languages such as Java or Python.
- Performance - Compared to lower-level languages like C++ or even C#, Visual Basic can suffer from performance issues due to factors such as interpreted nature, automatic memory management and runtime overhead.
- Less Flexibility - Whilst VB provides a quick and efficient way to build applications, its simplicity can sometimes limit the flexibility and control that developers have over their code when compared with other languages like C# or Java.
- Dependency on Microsoft - Visual Basic is tightly integrated with Microsoft's ecosystem, which means its future depends on Microsoft's support and development efforts. If Microsoft decides to deprecate or significantly change VB, it could pose challenges for developers relying on the language although as of March 2024, nothing of the sort has been announced.
Conclusion
To summarise, Visual Basic is still a powerful tool for rapidly developing Windows applications, for beginners and experienced developers alike. It is relatively straightforward to write code in visual basic and allows programmers access to a range of powerful tools. However, its limitations in platform support, performance and flexibility may make it less suitable for certain types of projects or environments and the decision to use VB as the basis for your business application(s) should be based on your specific circumstances and objectives.
See also
What is Visual Basic?
