Visual Basic/Visual Basic .NET
Because some classics never go out of style.
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.
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. In addition, Visual Basic for Applications or VBA is also still used today.
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.
VB.NET was designed to 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
As we have already covered, newer languages and frameworks dominate modern software development but Visual Basic (VB) and particularly VB.NET still hold a valuable place especially in maintaining legacy systems and building certain types of business applications. Here are some of the most suitable and practical use cases for VB today -
Many organisations still rely on critical business systems that are built in VB. These applications often manage internal processes like invoicing, stock control, reporting or customer records. Visual Basic remains the best choice for maintaining, upgrading or extending these systems due to compatibility and reduced migration risk. It also saves costs on replacements!
VB is still a good choice for creating straightforward, form based Windows desktop applications that automate routine business tasks including data entry, file management and employee scheduling. These tools are quick to develop and easy to deploy across small teams with minimal infrastructure.
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), closely related to VB, is widely used to automate and extend Microsoft Office tools. VB developers can create custom Excel macros, Word templates and Access database forms to streamline office workflows.
For businesses that need quick internal prototypes to test ideas such as a sales dashboard, timesheet app or internal tracker, VB.NET allows for rapid development in environments already built around the Microsoft tech stack.
VB’s simplicity makes it a good choice for developing educational software, training simulators or beginner level programming exercises, particularly in schools or organisations already using Microsoft technologies.
VB is effective for creating small desktop utilities that interact with the Windows operating system such as file converters, log file readers or batch processing tools used by support and IT teams.
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.
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.