Microsoft Visual Basic 6 New VB 6.0 Features Karl Moore
But what does VB 6.0 offer over previous versions of the development system? Firstly, it deploys cross-platform development via Dynamic HTML. A much requested feature, this doesn't restrict developers to using mere Windows clients - but lets you branch out onto Macintosh and UNIX platforms, via a bog-standard run-of-the-mill Web browser.
If you're wanting data-driven applications or multi-tier architectures, no problem - it's now much easier in Visual Basic 6.0. A new productive visual Data Environment Designer allows table-style query design, easy generation of complex SQL code and a live results preview. The new MS-Access-like DataReports also simplify the entire reporting process.
Microsoft has also incorporated native OLE DB drivers into VB, allowing high-speed access to SQL Server 6.5 and Oracle 7.3.3+. But it's data access capabilities don't stop there - Visual Basic can talk to any ODBC- or OLE DB-compliant database. And binding controls to a simple data source is as easy as version 5.0. Setting two properties in the Properties windows is all that's required. Really!
Visual Basic 5.0 was highly-praised for its astonishing break-through in Internet-connectivity - but the latest release of VB has really surpassed expectations, with a whole host of new features. As well as the DHTML offerings, as mentioned above, it also allows the creation of Internet Information Server (IIS) applications. Such server-side applications can be used to create dynamic websites and come in the form of a WebClass control that can be integrated with your application. The control is associated with an ASP webpage that carries out the logic of your program.
As with VB 5.0, the WebBrowser and MAPI components are available, allowing you to easily integrate Internet-browsing and e-mail functionality with your applications.
Extra features include a resource editor... but don't get too excited. It's actually only a resource loader - if you want to do any editing, you're still restricted to the traditional C++ tools. Darn! A Wizard Wizard (??) is also bundled, allowing you to - with a little code - throw together your very own Microsoft-style wizards. Cool!
