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Methods of Migrating

The various methods that can be used to migrate the application are given below. In many cases, these approaches will be combined. A redesign from scratch may be better for some code modules whereas many others might need only language/syntax level porting.

MigrationWizard

Visual Studio.NET provides a Visual Basic Upgrade Wizard (also called as Migration Wizard). This wizard does almost the entire migration barring some modifications that must be made to complete the upgrade process.

Fresh Design

Redesign of certain core modules or perhaps the whole application is a possible approach if new features of the .NET architectural framework are considered. Managed code (under CLR) can run in tandem with unmanaged code (e.g. COM components). Therefore it is possible to reuse many existing components as such. However, paradigm shifts towards XML web services, Web Forms, Windows Forms etc. call for some rework in design, coding and deployment.

Use of Customized tools to enhance migration

Porting driven by a wizard and re-design are easier when migrated using customized tools like the “Cal-Migrater” developed internally by CSWL for a health care product migration. This tool makes use of both the wizard and redesign approach to make faster pace through the .NET porting activity.

Issues While Migrating

However there are a few issues that are to be taken care of while migrating from VB to VB.NET. There are number of changes that can be done to the VB6 application to make the upgrade process much more efficient. Some important aspects are listed below.
Avoid using late binding. This is because properties and methods cannot be verified during the upgrade process.

Specify default properties.

VB6 specifies a default property for every component. For example, the default of Textbox is Text property and Caption is default for Label component. But in VB.NET there is nothing called as default property.

Use Zero-Bound Array. In VB we can declare an array with any positive integer as its lower bound. But in VB.NET all the arrays are zero bound.

Examine API calls with fixed length strings in VB application because VB.NET doesn't support fixed length strings.

Lines and Shapes are not supported in VB.NET and hence cannot be upgraded. Instead a graphic object is provided for shapes.

Re-Design of the whole application can be considered if the application will Grow over time. VB.NET being object oriented, the code can be reused and the application can be extended with less effort and time. Doing the same in VB6 would need a lot more time & effort.

Be taken online, i.e. web application. VB.NET provides web forms that can be used both for web application and VB application. This gives it dual manageability.

Genie is migrating all its technologies into the .NET platform. There are several reasons and advantages for migrating existing applications to .NET.