VB6 support ending?

[stewm]

We have a number of applications written in VB6 and the client is asking we move quickly to rewrite the reports in some other language. This is because of Microsoft dropping support of VB6.

Is anyone else moving away from V6 because of the support issues? If so what do you intend to use as the replacement tool of choice? Has support completly been dropped by Microsoft already? Thanks...


Mark Stewart
Senior Analyst
Consultants Club Corp.
Windsor, Ontario
Canada

http://www.consultantsclub.biz

 

[strongm]

And this one comes up again. Here's the situation:

Extended support for the VB developement toolset continues until 31 March 2008. Support for the VB6 runtime lasts for an additional 7 years (2 years mainline support followed by 5 years of extended support) after Longhorn launches.

For the VB developer, what does the change to extended support mean? Thie following is from Rob Copeland, who is the Product Unit Manager of Microsoft's RAD team (this team consists of the VB team, the .Net client team and the Visual Studio Data team):

[blue]1. Support for Visual Basic 6 is not ending
2. The main change on 3/31 is that "mainline support" will end. This means:
a. the free support incidents included with your Visual Basic 6 purchase will expire, except:
b. if you're an MSDN subscriber or have a Premier or Alliance support contract. In these cases, the included free incidents do not expire and are valid through the extended support period (see below).

The Visual Basic 6 product is entering what is called "extended support" which will last until 3/31/08. During this time, all the same support options are available (online, phone, etc.), but the free incidents will no longer be part of our offerings. Note that if you've already used the free incidents, then there is no change for you, as you've already been paying.[/blue]

 

[chiph]

While the support for VB6 is now paid support, given the realities of the software business, I would say that Microsoft doesn't have their top-shelf support people on the VB6 phone lines any more -- they will have moved to the .net languages.

Personally, I wouldn't do any new development in VB6. Maintenance, sure. But not any new stuff.

Chip H.


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If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[Swi]

Here is a good link for further reading.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/support/vb6.aspx

Swi

 

[BobRodes]

I've found VB support to be outstanding when I needed it, personally.

Bob