Visual Basic and database question

[taylor34]

Hey--

Last week I had a bunch of questions on sql databases and stuff like that--thank you everyone for all of your help. I'm now have a visual basic 6.0 app up and running with access to both Access databases and Sql server 2005 databases (sql server's on my desktop).

My question is, what are the key differences between visual basic 6.0 and .NET? And along with that, will visual basic 6.0 give me connectivity to a sql database server like microsoft sql server over the network (I thought I read somewhere that the standard .NET edition didn't handle this). What I'm trying to avoid is developing this app on my desktop with the sql server running, then finding out later that it won't work over a network (as it sounds like the standard .NET version has problems with).

Thanks

Taylor34

 

[Kntx]

I cannot comprehend your question.

Can .NET programs connect to SQL Server?? Yes.
Can VB6 programs connect to SQL Server?? Yes.

 

[MrChad]

Visual Basic 6.0 is the predecessor to Visual Basic .NET, which is now actually in its third iteration (.NET 1.0, .NET 1.1 and now .NET 2.0). .NET applications require the .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR) libraries in order to run. If you're developing in Visual Studio 2003, you're using version 1.1 of the .NET libraries. Visual Studio 2005 uses version 2.0 of the .NET libraries.

Both VB 6.0 and VB.NET can connect to remote SQL Server instances using ODBC or OLEDB drivers. There should be ample documentation online regarding either method. If you're using SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, there may be limitations on remote clients connecting to that database, but the full version of SQL Server has no such limitations.

Hope this helps.

 

[beggerking]

.net languages are platform independent as long as there is a .net framwork for that platform. That allows same code to be compiled for windows,, linux..etc and run as expected without any modification to the code. Its microsoft's answer to Java.

 

[taylor34]

Thanks for the help. I just wanted to make sure that 6.0 (which I have) has the remote database connectivity that I need. I thought about upgrading to .NET, but it sounds as though I'd need visual studio or the professional vb .net in order to do remote connectivity according to the user reviews here:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Visual-...002-6183954-6908008?ie=UTF8&s=software

Maybe I'll just stay at 6.0. Can anyone who's used both comment on which one they prefer, maybe some pro's and con's? Thanks

Taylor34

 

[beggerking]

I would recommand .net since its also language independent, supports true multithreading, and is more object oriented.

 

[taylor34]

Does the newest version of .NET Visual Basic fix some of the issues that the earlier versions were dinged on? Like missing functionality, etc? I just don't want to go out and spend money on the professional version if it's going to be missing stuff that I have now--I'm assuming that the standard edition isn't worth buying based upon the comments in the amazon review above.

Taylor34

 

[MrChad]

Give the free Express Edition a try. It may not have all the features you want/need, but for basic applications it fits the bill nicely.