Moving Old App to C#

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Ron Mexico - 29 Sep 2005 21:58 GMT

Hi,
Currently have an app that maintain that is written in VB6 and uses an
access db (backend db only used as a data store not writing to the db).
This app is a client app not server multi-teir app. It multi-form app that
takes in a lot of user input and gives out high end calculations
(engineering app). This app is starting to grow beyond the design and
becoming very hard to maintian. I was considering moving it to C#. All of
our new development is in C# - mostly server apps. I understand the
benefits going to .Net (no dll hell, OO, framework...) however it seems that
benefits are for web apps (web services), server apps.... A rewrite would
be a huge project and was wondering what others think.

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Bob Powell [MVP] - 30 Sep 2005 00:33 GMT

While the migration from VB6 to VB.NET might not be as simple as you would
wish, I think that many of the subroutines would be eminently translatable.
Why go to C# if the application is patently a VB one? Far be it from me to
advocate for a VB solution but sometimes you have to go with what seems
right!

You say that all your new development is in C#. Is this passed down from on
high or a real engineering descision?

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> Hi,
> Currently have an app that maintain that is written in VB6 and uses an
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> that benefits are for web apps (web services), server apps.... A rewrite
> would be a huge project and was wondering what others think.

Reply to this Message

Ron Mexico - 30 Sep 2005 15:47 GMT

We made the move to C# from VB/C++ when .Net was released because at first
it was thought that C# was the language choice of Microsoft (being
superior). Also, most of us are used to and like C++ syntax. The only
reason this app is in VB versus C++ was time because it is a highly UI
intensive app. The main reason I was looking to doing a rewrite is because
the App is gone beyond the main design (which VB could handle) and I could
redesign a more elegant/more maintainable solution using C# (OO, ADO.Net,
easier installation (no dll hell)...). Who knows when Microsoft will stop
supporting VB6 on new OS's (it could be a long time or maybe never) so
eventually I will have to rewrite this app. Right now it is about 100,000
lines of code but in the future I could see it double or maybe tripling.
It's not like I am just doing maintanence; I am actually enhancing the app
and adding more functionality.

Thanks

> While the migration from VB6 to VB.NET might not be as simple as you would
> wish, I think that many of the subroutines would be eminently
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>> that benefits are for web apps (web services), server apps.... A rewrite
>> would be a huge project and was wondering what others think.

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Peter N Roth - 30 Sep 2005 16:45 GMT

gee, Ron, that sounds enormous. I count my effort
successful when i can throw code away!

Seriously, if you havent had the chance yet, check
out Refactoring by Fowler.

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Grace + Peace,
Peter N Roth
Engineering Objects International
http://engineeringobjects.com
Home of Matrix.NET

> We made the move to C# from VB/C++ when .Net was released because at first
> it was thought that C# was the language choice of Microsoft (being
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>>> that benefits are for web apps (web services), server apps.... A
>>> rewrite would be a huge project and was wondering what others think.

Reply to this Message

Ron Mexico - 30 Sep 2005 17:00 GMT

Peter,

I have read the Refactoring book and I have done alot of changes since
reading. I think moving the app to .Net could help eliminate some of the
code. I am 90% on moving the app to .Net I was wondering what other people
are doing with older apps.

Thanks

> gee, Ron, that sounds enormous. I count my effort
> successful when i can throw code away!
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
>>>> seems that benefits are for web apps (web services), server apps.... A
>>>> rewrite would be a huge project and was wondering what others think.

Reply to this Message

Moving Old App to C#

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