Note
Key Features and Improvements
Enhanced Programming Environment: Visual Basic 2.0 offered a more user-friendly interface compared to its predecessor, Visual Basic 1.0. The development environment was streamlined, making it easier to design forms and write code.
Instantiable Forms: A major advancement was that forms became instantiable objects, laying the groundwork for the concept of class modules introduced in later versions (e.g., VB4). This allowed developers to treat forms as reusable components, enhancing modularity.
Improved Speed: The performance of Visual Basic 2.0 was improved over VB1, with better execution speed for applications, though it still relied on an interpreted BASIC dialect. Speed was maintained through reusable compiled libraries like DLLs and VBX controls.
Windows-Only Development: Like VB1, Visual Basic 2.0 was limited to developing applications for Microsoft Windows, leveraging DLLs and VBX controls for functionality. This restricted its use to the Windows ecosystem but ensured tight integration with the operating system.
Standard and Professional Editions: Visual Basic 2.0 was available in Standard and Professional editions. The Professional edition included additional tools and controls, catering to more advanced developers.
Graphical Interface Design: The drag-and-drop form designer allowed developers to visually create GUIs by placing controls (e.g., buttons, text boxes) on forms, reducing the need for extensive manual coding compared to languages like C or C++.
Primer Edition: A limited version called the Primer Edition was released, which lacked features like compilation to executable (EXE) files and included no help system. It was more of a demo to introduce users to Visual Basic, often distributed with magazines or as promotional material.
Technical Details
Interpreted BASIC Dialect: Visual Basic 2.0 used an interpreted BASIC dialect, which made it accessible but slower than fully compiled languages. However, performance was bolstered by precompiled libraries (DLLs and VBX controls).
16-Bit Applications: VB2.0 was designed for 16-bit Windows environments (e.g., Windows 3.1), producing applications that ran on these systems. It did not yet support 32-bit application development, which came with later versions like VB4.
Database Integration: While not as robust as later versions, VB2.0 could interface with databases, particularly Microsoft Access, using early data access technologies. This made it popular for business applications.
Historical Context and Impact
Release and Popularity: Released in November 1992, Visual Basic 2.0 built on the success of VB1 by making GUI-based programming more accessible. Its ease of use and visual design capabilities made it a hit for business application development, particularly for rapid prototyping.
Comparison to Other Languages: Unlike C or C++, which required extensive code for even simple Windows applications, Visual Basic 2.0 allowed developers to create functional programs with significantly less code, thanks to its visual design tools and prebuilt controls.
Documentation and Learning: Books like Ross Nelson’s Running Visual Basic for Windows (1992) were published to support VB2.0, serving as introductory guides for new programmers. These resources highlighted its low learning curve and productivity-focused design.
Limitations: The reliance on VBX controls and Windows-specific libraries meant applications were not portable to other operating systems. Additionally, the interpreted nature of the language made it less suitable for performance-intensive applications like games.
Installation and Availability
Distribution: Visual Basic 2.0 was distributed on floppy disks, with the Professional Edition requiring a 7-disk installation. The Primer Edition, a stripped-down version, was available as a single archive and could be installed on Windows 95/98 by running setup.exe.
Archival Access: Today, installation files for VB2.0, including the Professional and Primer Editions, can be found on archives like the Internet Archive, often sourced from old software collections or magazine CDs.
Legacy and Evolution
Successor Versions: Visual Basic 2.0 was followed by VB3.0 in 1993, which added support for the Jet Database Engine, and later versions like VB4.0 (1995), which introduced 32-bit application support. The last classic version, VB6.0 (1998), became the most widely used but was eventually succeeded by Visual Basic .NET.
Modern Relevance: While VB2.0 is obsolete today, its design principles influenced modern RAD tools and environments. Its simplicity made it a stepping stone for developers transitioning to more complex languages or frameworks like VB.NET. However, by 2020, communities like Reddit noted that VB.NET and earlier versions were being eclipsed by languages like C# and Python for new projects, though legacy VB applications still required maintenance.
Sources
WinWorld: Microsoft Visual Basic 2.0
Visual Basic (classic) - Wikipedia
Visual Basic - Wikipedia, la encyclopedia libre
Microsoft Visual Basic 2.0 Primer Edition - Internet Archive
Microsoft Visual Basic 2.0 Professional Edition - Internet Archive
r/visualbasic on Reddit: Is it still worth learning Visual Basic in 2020