Want to purchase VB6

[dullard]

This could have fit in other forums, I guess; but you are the experts, so I came here.

I need to purchase VB6 as I want to do a small project legally. Of course, Visual Basic 6 is discontinued, so it isn't easy to find a good deal on it. I can find all sorts of seedy looking places online. But, is there a place that'll sell it for <$200 that you would trust?

I don't care if it is Visual Studio 6.0 or just VB6. I don't care if it is standard, professional, enterprise, etc. I just want a legal copy of the program.

Can anyone help? Thanks.

 

[indigo196]

Let me check my archives -- I may still have a copy laying around.

 

[tfinch2]

Why don't you use VB.Net Express Edition?

 

[KB]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Why don't you use VB.Net Express Edition?

You had to expect this question and I second it. Express Edition licenses allow you to sell your product. If you don't like it or you are worried the 2.0 framework won't be on their machines, you can try SharpDevelop http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/ which has a .Net 1.1 version. The .Net 1.1 framework should be on most if not all XP PCs.


VB 6.0 to some companies is a liability because its support has decreased.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Why don't you use VB.Net Express Edition?

I have several reasons for my request. But, your question does bring up some more questions.

My reasons for VB6:
1) I have years of experience with VB5 and VB6. I have no experience with .Net other than one failed attempt at converting a VB6 program to .Net. Thus, it would be far less work for me to stay in VB6.
2) I will be altering existing VB6 code, so I would have to do the nasty conversion that I failed at before.
3) They want me to sign a contract which specifies that VB6 will be used.
4) The code works intimately with drivers of obscure hardware. I don't know if the drivers work with .Net, although I assume the drivers would work just fine.

Questions you brought up:
1) I hadn't heard of Express Editions before. Is it similar but free? Is it just a reduced version? If so, what is lacking?
2) Yes, I ultimately should learn .Net. Do you have any good references for learning how to switch?
3) If I switch, should I just jump right in to the Visual Studio 2008 when it is released in a couple weeks or would you suggest V.S. 2005?
4) I looked around and Microsoft's website says if you buy the V.S. Professional version, then you can downgrade to VB6. Thus, I could purchase a .Net version and downgrade.
5) I can get the .Net version for a song with academic pricing as I work at a University. Some companies let you use academic software later for commercial use, other companies forbid that. Do you know if that is allowed with Visual Studio? I couldn't find that info on Microsoft's website.

I was mostly looking at buying a retail copy, but indigo196 brought up a point that I could possibly buy a used one from someone who doesn't need it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Academic S/W is not supposed to be used for commercial purposes.

You can download the Express from MS freely. It is crippled in terms of support tools provided; however, it does generate valid code.

You can check around ebay for VS 6.0 sales.