Visual Basic 5.0

Visual Basic 5.0
Name	Visual Basic 5.0
Developer	Microsoft
Released	February 1997
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Platform	x86
Genre	Rapid application development, Integrated development environment
License	Proprietary software

Visual Basic 5.0. Released by Microsoft in February 1997, this version marked a pivotal evolution in the Visual Basic product line, transitioning it into a powerful tool for creating genuine native code applications. It significantly enhanced the language's capabilities for object-oriented programming and introduced a new, more robust integrated development environment. The release was strategically important for Microsoft in competing with other development tools like Borland Delphi and in supporting the emerging Component Object Model architecture.

Overview

Visual Basic 5.0 represented a major shift from its predecessor, Visual Basic 4.0, by offering developers the choice to compile projects into efficient native code for the first time, rather than relying solely on interpreted P-code. This version was released in three distinct editions: the Learning Edition, the Professional Edition, and the Enterprise Edition, each targeting different segments of the developer community. Its development was closely tied to the success of the Microsoft Windows 95 platform and the broader adoption of 32-bit computing. The upgrade was seen as a direct response to the growing popularity of rival environments, particularly Borland's Delphi.

Development Environment

The integrated development environment in Visual Basic 5.0 received substantial improvements, including a new code editor with features like Auto List Members and Auto Quick Info to speed up coding. The form designer was enhanced, and the Toolbox could now host custom ActiveX controls. A significant addition was the Native Code Compiler, accessible through the Project Properties dialog, which allowed optimization for speed or size. The environment also improved integration with Microsoft Visual SourceSafe for team-based version control and introduced better debugging tools for the newly compiled executables.

Language Features

This version made substantial strides in object-oriented programming support, introducing the ability to create implementable interfaces, a feature crucial for building COM components. While it still lacked full implementation inheritance, it offered polymorphism through these interfaces. The language syntax was extended with new data types like the Byte data type and the Enum statement. Enhanced support for creating ActiveX controls and DLLs was a cornerstone, enabling developers to build reusable components for distribution.

Application Types

With Visual Basic 5.0, developers could build a wider array of applications. The native code compilation made it suitable for creating standard executable (.exe) files for Windows, including more performance-sensitive applications. It became a premier tool for authoring ActiveX controls, ActiveX Documents, and COM servers, which were integral to the Microsoft Internet Explorer ecosystem and corporate intranet development. The Enterprise Edition specifically facilitated the creation of client-server and database applications with integrated tools for Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database.

Distribution and Deployment

Deploying applications built with Visual Basic 5.0 typically involved the Visual Basic runtime library, MSVBVM50.DLL. For applications using ActiveX components, the Setup Wizard helped create installation packages that could register components and manage dependencies. The distribution of ActiveX controls over the Internet was a promoted scenario, albeit with significant security considerations. Deployment for corporate environments often involved Microsoft Systems Management Server or similar tools to manage installations across networks.

Legacy and Impact

Visual Basic 5.0 solidified Visual Basic's position as a dominant force in Windows business application development throughout the late 1990s. Its focus on COM and ActiveX directly aligned with Microsoft's strategy at the time, influencing subsequent platforms like Windows DNA. The version is often remembered as the peak of "Classic Visual Basic" before the transition to the .NET Framework. While succeeded by Visual Basic 6.0, version 5.0's introduction of native code compilation and improved object-oriented programming support left a lasting mark on a generation of developers and countless legacy systems that remained in operation for decades.

Category:Visual Basic Category:Programming languages Category:Microsoft development tools