FAQ: Are there free Visual Basic compilers available?

[Emily]

Are there free Visual Basic compilers available?

The short answer is yes. The one that I've seen the most is Envelop, available here. I've never used it personally but I've heard and read that it's very similar to the (expensive) Microsoft IDE (integrated development environment).

The downfall to using a non-MS IDE is that most, probably all, VB books and tutorials are written for the Microsoft environment. That means that if you learn something from a VB book, it might not work in Envelop. (Syntax is the same but the GUI probably differs.)

However, most Visual Basic books come with what's called a working model edition of the Microsoft Visual Basic, which lets you do everything except make .exe's out of your programs. If you don't want to spend a thousand bucks on the Microsoft program but you still want to learn VB from a book, a good option is to learn VB from the book with the working model edition that comes with it. Once you're comfortable enough with the language and you want to start distributing your programs as .exe's, download the Envelop compiler and use that. I would imagine that it would be a lot easier to use Envelop once you've already learned the Microsoft IDE.

[BlazingWolf]

I hate to be annoying and repetative but...

Sharp Devlop is a great IDE/Compiler for VB .NET and C# and it's free.

http://www.icsharpcode.net/OpenSource/SD/Download/

EDIT

I must correct myself.

You have to download the .NET SDK, and then Sharpdevelop uses it's features to compile VB .NET, and C#.

[sippin codeine]

Hold up ;Why dont you just download one of these free IDE from microsoft?

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/

I downloaded the Visual Basic 2005 EE
&
Visual C++ 2005 EE

the Visual Basic 2005 IDE is way better VB6, they copied Delphi a little.

Get it while its still avalable

[BlazingWolf]

Those are beta products not final releases thats why they are free. :P

[sippin codeine]

yea, i know, i dont really use them but there good if you want to go the microsoft route.

[trleighton]

I think microsoft was planning to distribute the Express editions for free anyway, to get programmers to buy the more expensive ones.

[c0mplexity]

REAL basic is a great compiler. Supports Linus, Windows, Mac and more!

http://www.realsoftware.com/

[hotfoot124]

small BASIC is also a good basic compialer though it has its limitations, you can get a sister program for a palm so as to program on the go. I program while I have down time at school on my old palm m130

[Yin-Yang]

Originally posted by trleighton
I think microsoft was planning to distribute the Express editions for free anyway, to get programmers to buy the more expensive ones.

That is correct Microsoft leaves out some powerful features that are only avaible in the standard and profesional versions, Express is used to teach students, and hobbiests how to use the product so they have a reason to buy it. However don't let the lack of a few features stop you from downloading it, because the features they left out are for profesionals and people that program for a living, anyways. The Product is still extramly strong and a great tool none the less.

Besides its "FREE" what more do you guys want.

P.S. most of this Info is from the Microsoft Webpage.

[|Cashew|]

Dev c++, its free - www.bloodshed.net