Distributing VB6 *.exe to WinXP users

[PeteF]

Hi all,
I'm looking to create some simple applications using Visual Basic 6 and I'd
like to be able to compile the application to a single *.exe file and distribute
that file to WinXP users so they can run it without having to install anything.
I heard that WinXP has VB6 support built into it, but I can't test if thats true
because I have VB6 installed on all my WinXP computers.

Questions:
1.) Does WinXP have the VB6 runtimes already installed?

2.) If so, what would be the limitations in design of my applications such that
I could distribute my apps as a single *.exe file and they would run without
having to install anything to WinXP?

---pete---

[Sam Ceccola]

Does WinXP have the VB6 runtimes already installed?

Pete:
The answer to your question is no. The runtime libraries need to be install. I believe what you have heard is that WinXP will support VB 6 and VB.net files but again, they still need to be installed.

FYI, I also read the new OS, VISTA, when in comes out next year will continue to support VB6 runtime files.

I have been working with VB since Version 3 was release in the early 90's. VB 6 is one of the best releases. I'm leaving VB.NET for the younger generation.

Good Luck,
Sam

[Sam Ceccola]

Pete:

I just read RBL's response to you. He is saying the opposite. I believe my previous post is correct but if you prove me wrong, I apologise.

Let me know,
Sam

[PeteF]

Pete:

I just read RBL's response to you. He is saying the opposite. I believe my previous post is correct but if you prove me wrong, I apologise.

Let me know,
Sam

Thanks Sam.
I see that this topic had 24 views to date which surprised me because
I didn't think we had that many VB programmers here. For those folks,
let me clarify what Sam is talking about.

On another BBS, RBL advised me that WinXP has the VB6 runtimes
installed but the controls and dependencies are not.

Anyway, the details are not so important because bottom line,
it's not possible to do what I want to do by compiling to a single
*.exe and distributing that to WinXP users. In other words, I'd
need to include an installer for WinXP users who did not have
all the required components pre-installed. It gets more complicated
after that because I'd have to offer various versions to download.
It's just too complicated and bothersome for what I had intended
to do. I wanted to create some FREE apps for distribution if I could
do it in a simple manner.

On the other hand RBL stated that VB.NET would allow me to
distribute a single *.exe which could be simply dropped into
a folder and run without requiring any installler. So I'll look into
that for the future.

---pete---

[PeteF]

[QUOTE=Sam Ceccola]
I have been working with VB since Version 3 was release in the early 90's. VB 6 is one of the best releases. I'm leaving VB.NET for the younger generation.
/QUOTE]

I hear you Sam!
For me, it's mostly a money issue. I simply can't justify the upgrade to
another version because I'm not profiting enough from any of my VB
programs and I already spent enough on VB software & books to date.

I found out the hard way that most VB programmers develop their
apps more for the love of programming than for big profits. This is
similar to how people at craft shows make things and sell them to
the public. In both cases, the majority only make enough money to
sustain their hobby. I know because I've done both crafts & VB
programming and also know many others with the same experiences
as mine.

---pete---

[Sam Ceccola]

...that most VB programmers develop their
apps more for the love of programming than for big profits....
I've done both crafts & VB
programming and also know many others with the same experiences
as mine....

Add me to your list.

Sam