Question about Visual Basic 6.0

[mysteryman]

Hey Guys/Girls,

I'm working with Visual Basic 6.0 and I'm working on a small program for a class at school and I'm trying to figure out how to convert the files to an .exe so I can upload it to my site and allow some friends to download it. I noticed under the File menu, there is an option that says "make filename.exe" but it's grayed out. Anyone familiar with this? Thanks in advance.

[Ed-Seigal]

PowWeb Servers are UNIX servers and does not support .exe files. You will require a Win2k server and up to support your file type.

[RocketJeff]

Originally posted by eddie
PowWeb Servers are UNIX servers and does not support .exe files. You will require a Win2k server and up to support your file type.
He was ackign about making an .exe file that he could upload so his friends could download it - not run it on Powweb's server. Just because Powweb runs FreeBSD doesn't mean that you can't upload .exe files...

mysteryman, the problem might be that you have the 'learning' version of VB - it doesn't allow you to create executables that can be run outside of the VB IDE. You might have to find a full version to compile your program with (ask your instructor).

Note: My copy of VB isn't installed right now, do I can't be 100% certain about my advice - asking your instructor is probably the easiest course of action.

[Skunkboy]

I remember vb 2 :D if someone has a copy, perhaps you could upload your files as they are and let someone who CAN compile do it for you.

Perhaps upload it to your site now as it is then post a link here in case someone can do it.

[YvetteKuhns]

You are using Visual Basic 6.0 for school and want to convert the files to an .exe so you can upload it to your site and allow some friends to download it. That is okay on PowWeb. Been there, done that.

You noticed under the File menu, there is an option that says "make filename.exe" but it's grayed out. That option is not available for you. :( You can use another program to convert the file to an executable file.

http://hjem.get2net.dk/GeWare/VB2HTML.htm

http://dbforums.com/arch/196/2003/1/642589

There are probably alot of sources on Google.

[RocketJeff]

First, I highly doubt if there are any other programs that can compile Visual Basic to an executable. It would be big news in the industry if there were, since MS isn't supporting 'clasic' VB anymore - just VB.NET.

Your first link is to a program that makes HTML formatted pages of VB source, the second talks about VBScript - which has just a bit more to do with real VB then JavaScript does to real Java....


Second, this is one of Skunkboy's recent dredging up of really old threads. I doubt if mysteryman still has the problem (or is even looking at these boards for a solution anymore)...

[mysteryman]

LOL Jeff, actually I got an e-mail saying this had been replied too....so I checked it out. However, I pretty much give up on the whole VB idea...so its all good (: thanks for the help though.

[BerksWebGuy]

How can any version of VB not be able to compile...its almost useless isn't it (can't test it unless you're on a system with VB installed).

But I guess it may be a way to save a few dollars??

[RocketJeff]

There are several versions of VB. The 'lowest' version is the "Learning Edition" - this version was designed to be included with VB books and some classroom use. This is the edition that mysteryman seens to have. It won't allow you to compile and redistribute an executable - it's only designed for learning the languare/environment.

All of the other versions will compile to an executable. There are Standard, Professional and Enterprise version - all of which have slightly different features. There is also an Academic version (not to be confused with the Learning Edition) - this is basically just the Standard version with a restriction that it only be sold to students or teachers, at a steep discount.

[YvetteKuhns]

My edition creates executables, but I believe there are sources out there. I think I may have copied the wrong urls, because I got off the topic while reading. :D

I thought the thread got to the top because someone was interested in the topic yet/again.

[Vanja]

When you go to the menu and select "Make *.exe file" it actually compiles an exe file which can only be executed on your computer, because you have the necessary VB *.dll files which a regular user without VB doesn't have. If you want to make your program distributable you have to make an installation for your program. There is an installation wizard included in the Visual Basic package: Start --> Programs --> Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 --> Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 Tools --> Package & Deployment Wizard.
You can use that to make your installation.
There are some other installation wizards available on the net.
You can even make your own installation in VB if you know how :) there are some tutorials on the net for this too..

hope this helps

[YvetteKuhns]

it actually compiles an exe file which can only be executed on your computer, because you have the necessary VB *.dll files which a regular user without VB doesn't have

I hate it when I have to find missing dll files. When I uninstall a program, I always leave the dlls, even if the computer says it is not associated with any other files. Currently, one of my dll files got lost and I cannot use Cold Fusion anymore. Oh, well. PowWeb doesn't support it, anyway.

[LegoArtist]

Actually, for VB6 the Learning Edition is the Standard Edition. Why they changed the name is beyond me. But the Learning Edition creates executables "out of the box". It's the edition I got first and still use at work. There's an Academic version that won't let you make .exe files. That's probably what mysteryman has/had.

[RocketJeff]

Sorry LegoArtist, but that isn't right.

If you look at MS's VB website it explains the different versions. The Learning Edition was design for inclusion in books and for use in some school settings. The Academic version, like the rest of their Academic versions (for Office and the like) are the complete standard version just cheaper and only available to people with a school ID.

[YvetteKuhns]

There's an Academic version that won't let you make .exe files.

We used the Academic version at college and RocketJeff is correct. We can make .exe files and it is the full version available at a cheaper price for education.

Many Academic versions of programs say it is "For Educational Use" and stamps it on files created by them.

[LegoArtist]

OK, I'm wrong about the Academic version. A guy at work said that's what he had and it wouldn't let him compile apps. It must not have been the Academic version then, probably a special stripped down version. But I'm right about the Learning Edition. As I said, it's what I use.

[RocketJeff]

LegoArtist - Yes, you are right about the Learning Edition for VB6. Their last crippled "can't compile stand-alone executables" Learning Edition was in VB5.

The MS site says for VB6: Microsoft Visual Basic Learning Edition is designed for the hobbyist or novice programmer. It has the ability to create distributable applications, but lacks many of the tools that a professional developer would need, such as full ODBC support, scrollable cursors, Pool Manager, and Component Manager.Which, as they say, makes it totally unsuitable for most corporate developers.