How To Open an EXE File with Visual Basic
Level of difficulty: Easy
The Visual Basic program had been recently integrated into the Microsoft.NET Framework. It is an object-oriented programming language similar to C++, C Sharp and Java. On the other hand, the .NET Framework software is a program that hastens the pace of developing computer programs and is usually installed on computers that use the Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. The software contains a huge file of coded solutions available for the more common programming issues as well as a virtual machine that facilitates the management of different programs specific for the framework. Visual Basic is used in the development of console and graphical user interface (GUI) applications together with Windows Form applications, Web applications, websites and Web services.
Materials Needed:- Visual Microsoft Studio
- .NET Framework
Step 1
First, the user must run the Microsoft Visual Studio which may take some minutes to load depending on the available RAM on the user’s computer.
Step 2
On the first screen that appears, click on the 'Project tab' and two buttons will appear at the bottom of the screen, namely 'Open Project' and 'New Project'. If it is the user’s first time to use a VB program, choose the 'New Project' button; if a previous project had been started, click on the button stating 'Open an existing Project'.
Step 3
For computers that use the Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, the user must choose the 'Widows Application' in the 'Visual Basic Projects' folder if the user wants to run the end application. At the bottom portion of the screen is a default 'Name' text box which the user can change to a more descriptive name. To save the project in the 'My Documents' folder, let the Location be set at the default value then click OK.
Step 4
Take note on the 'form' which is a grey square area containing different dots. A pinboard also appears where various components such as text boxes and buttons can be installed to create a full graphic user interface (GUI). A grid can be seen that serves the purpose of facilitating the alignment of all the installed components.
Step 5
The user may now run the application before clicking the 'Debug' button from the menu bar. With the drop down menu, click on 'Start' or in the alternative, the user may press the F5 key on the keyboard.
Step 6
The Visual Basic Program is now installed which in its simplest form is identical to that in Step 4 except that the arrays of dots are missing. This is usually a standalone program in the form of an '.exe' file and possessing a similar name as the project. This file is found below the default folder 'MyFirstVBProgram'.