This page covers classic Visual Basic (VB 1 to 6), it does not cover Visual Basic as found in Microsoft’s .NET Framework.
- Visual Basic 1.0 launched simultaneously with Windows 3.0 in 1991. (MacDonald/Socket 3)
- Visual Basic 2.0 was launched in 1992. (Socket 3)
- Adds ODBC support, MDI forms, and object variables. (Smiley)
- Visual Basic 3.0 was launched in 1993. (Socket 3)
- Adds integration with Access’ Jet Engine. Also adds OLE automation and reporting. (Smiley)
- Visual Basic 4.0 was launched alongside Windows 95 in 1994. (Socket 3)
- Allows one to create add-ons, adds classes and OCXs. (Smiley)
- VBScript is included with Internet Explorer 3.0 in 1996, ASP is included with IIS 3.0. (Smiley)
- Visual Basic 5.0 was launched in 1997. (Socket 3)
- Includes a compiler, WithEvents, and the ability to create ActiveX controls. (Smiley)
- Also in 1997, Office 97 launches and includes Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). (Smiley)
- Visual Basic 6.0 was launched in 1998. (Socket 3)
- “Introduces WebClasses, windowless controls, data designers, new reporting designers, and the ability to create data sources.” – Smiley.
- Visual Basic, the classical version, has a successor in VB.NET in 2002. (MacDonald)
- “The only problem was that to get all these new features, Microsoft had to throw away almost all of classic VB.” – MacDonald.
Bibliography
- Matthew MacDonald. The Rise and Fall of Visual Basic. Young Coder/Medium, 6/2019.
- A brief overview of VB’s history continuing through the .NET era.
- Scott Ferguson. Thunder…the Birth of Visual Basic.
- Written by the original Development Lead.
- Visual Basic: Early Beginnings. Socket 3, 9/2016.
- Covers 1.0 through 6.0 with numerous screenshots and links. Dives a little deeper than I cared to go showing what install screens, etc. looked like – but a good resource!
- John Smiley. The History of Visual Basic.
- Brief summary of the history of VB from 1988 (pre 1.0) to 2010.