Write native Windows 98 Application in VB Express

Write native Windows 98 Application in VB Express

• markdrury

  I found the installation of the .NET framework took around 45 minutes on a Windows 98 machine. This is what I need to avoid.
  
  I don't particularly want to go back to VB6 either, but what would be the best alternative i.e. what modern tools/languages allow me to write a Windows application that isn't dependent on the .NET framework Doesn't have to be Visual Basic although that would be my preference. I don't really want to use Java either - because that would require the JRE to be installed.
  
  John
  
  
  

• Ben Vanik

  I don't think I'm making myself clear. This work is not for a job or a paycheck. It's basically a favour to a friend. In a work environment I wouldn't dream of using Windows 98, VB6 or anything not officially supported.
  
  In a home environment - which is the target of this product - old computers are quite common though, whatever the rights or wrongs of that. And people with old computers need to be able to buy/download this mini-application and install/run it on their old machines whithout having to install large pieces of software like .NET/JRE/etc.
  

• rod_r

  Unfortunately no. Any application you write with a .NET language will require the use of the .NET Framework.

  The one quasi-exception to this is if you use C++ Express (or C++ from a higher version of Visual Studio) to make a native Windows application.

  If I may ask... why not target the framework and make sure it is installed on the 98 machine for your app to be used Just so long as you target 1.0, 1.1 or the 2.0 framework you'll be fine as 98 is supported. 3.0 however only works on XP on up.

  I should mention to that virtually any language you write an application in will require some kind of framework or runtime in order to allow it to work on a given platform/pc. Even old vb6 applications required the VB runtime that was included on most PC’s then and now and if one didn’t have it it was easy enough to install. Like that runtime, the .NET Framework comes pre-installed on virtually all new PC’s today and it’s penetration into the market only grows and where it doesn’t exist, it is generally easy to install.

  
  
  

• Sir Robert Michael Murray Sr.

  Its only the first application which would be time consuming. After its installed once, all subsequent applications would detect the framework is present and wouldnt try installing again. So basically the first 2005 application installed on the machine puts most of the requirements down and everything after that should install pretty quickly.

  
  

• Golden Strands

  I should explain the context and type of application I'm trying to write. A friend of mine has asked me to write a simple user interface to enable customers to query a fairly small database which she has created. The idea is to distribute the database (probably an MS-Access MDB file) and the program which accesses it on a CD-ROM. Installation (if needed at all) should be quick and simple and the time taken to install the .NET framework is simply not acceptable.
  
  Would I be better off using an older version of Visual Basic (or even another language) I know VB6 applications require certain 'runtime' files (.DLLs) to be installed but at least this can be done fairly quickly.
  
  Regards
  
  John
  
  

• sahridhayan

  Its only the first application which would be time consuming. After its installed once, all subsequent applications would detect the framework is present and wouldnt try installing again. So basically the first 2005 application installed on the machine puts most of the requirements down and everything after that should install pretty quickly.

  Also V2.0 of the framework - windows 98 is not a supported platform for subsequent versions of the framework such as 3.0

  
  

• Zach7

  Brendan,
  
  thanks for your reply. Targeting the .NET framework and ensuring its installed on the W98 machine is essentially what I've just been doing. However, I've found that the installation of the .NET framework is actually quite time consuming and turns what ought to be a fairly minor installation (it's actually a very small application) into one that takes the best part of an hour - naturally the W98 machine isn't exactly state-of-the-art hardware.
  
  I'm tending towards writing separate VB6 and VB Express versions of the applications and (hopefully) guiding the user towards installing the one appropriate for their platform.
  
  Are there any other suggestions
  
  John
  
  

• Skapol

  I have followed this thread and will toss out a bit of personal experience. I grew up in the command line driven world of assembly, FORTRAN, Pascal, and some Cobol. I stayed with a job in that environemnt far too long. I was rather good and quite well respected there, and quite confortable there. It no longer exists. I cannot provide the levels of productivity I did in the old environment. It is tough going back to being a neophyte and having ask the simple questions.

  Windows 98 is dead, as is VB6. If you need to continue to work in that environment to earn a paycheck, understand that it is on the way out. Rapidly. Understand that and move into the new environment. (don't let your boss keep you there.) If not, you will regret it. I regret staying in my comfort zone and am now having a difficult time in my new environment.

  
  
  

• Hassank

  Thats really up to you - I wouldnt be going back to VB6 as you introduce a different set of issues with using a 9 year old product.

  The amount of machines with the framework on is an amazingly large number and chosing a development environment based upon a one time requirement install time seems like over reaction. But thats me.

  I've found .net framework installs on reasonable spec machines doesnt take that long once downloaded. If your deploying on CD then you would be including the framework so it shouldnt take that long.

  
  
• Write native Windows 98 Application in VB Express