Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of
software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#2
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
If you are developing applications that will use Excel, and you have no
other over-arching considerations (such as the security of your code), then just use VBA within Excel. VB will be an overhead which, at first, you don't need, but may migrate to later. -- HTH Bob Phillips "Mark Stephens" wrote in message ... I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#3
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
You cannot compile VBA into an executable program so your users will definitely require
Excel. Regards; Rob ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Mark Stephens" wrote in message ... I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#4
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
The main problem with using just Excel is that you can NOT protect the vba
code. There are programs widely available that will unprotect your worksheet/ workbook and vba protection instantly, leaving it open to misuse. One way around this is to use xl wrapped inside of a VB front loader. A good source to check out is Professional Excel Development by Steven Bullen et al This requires a good knowledge of vba programming. It takes a simple application through several stages of development from a stand-alone spreadsheet using only xl formulas, to one using vba routines, class modules, addins, VB, C, and XML. Whatever your level, you may find it helpful to get to the next step. I'm in my 3rd read and getting into the VB level. (Not a paid advert.) Hope this helps "Mark Stephens" wrote: I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#5
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
My understanding was that even if the program was in vb my users would still
need excel anyway is this not so? "RWN" wrote in message ... You cannot compile VBA into an executable program so your users will definitely require Excel. Regards; Rob ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Mark Stephens" wrote in message ... I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#6
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
For what it's worth, a few years back I built a secure VB app that emulated
Excel using an ActiveX component called Formula One that behaved just like Excel, as I recall. It might be an option for you. I just googled for it and found: http://www.reportingengines.com/prod...x/overview.jsp -- Regards, Ron |
#7
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
"Ron Coderre" wrote in message
... For what it's worth, a few years back I built a secure VB app that emulated Excel using an ActiveX component called Formula One that behaved just like Excel, as I recall. It might be an option for you. I just googled for it and found: http://www.reportingengines.com/prod...x/overview.jsp Hi Ron, I agree with you that Formula One was a great product in its time. But IMO it's long since been surpassed by FarPoint's Spread control, and for a whole lot less money too: http://www.fpoint.com/products/spread/spread.aspx -- Rob Bovey, Excel MVP Application Professionals http://www.appspro.com/ * Take your Excel development skills to the next level. * Professional Excel Development http://www.appspro.com/Books/Books.htm |
#8
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
"Mark Stephens" wrote in message
... My understanding was that even if the program was in vb my users would still need excel anyway is this not so? Yes, unless you want to try to emulate Excel via your own code or 3rd party controls. -- http://www.standards.com/; See Howard Kaikow's web site. |
#9
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
I appreciate your input guys, it has helped me understand the issues. For my
'professional edition' there would be no problem in requiring my users to have excel but for my 'personal version I will definitely have to use VB as it will probably be licensed at about US$ 500 per year and so excel will double it's price. For the professional edition I will include a proprietory algorithm which needs to be protected does anyone know anything about Savvysoft's turbo excel it looks like an excellent solution for protecting an algorithm? Anyway thanks again for your input, Mark:) "cush" wrote in message ... The main problem with using just Excel is that you can NOT protect the vba code. There are programs widely available that will unprotect your worksheet/ workbook and vba protection instantly, leaving it open to misuse. One way around this is to use xl wrapped inside of a VB front loader. A good source to check out is Professional Excel Development by Steven Bullen et al This requires a good knowledge of vba programming. It takes a simple application through several stages of development from a stand-alone spreadsheet using only xl formulas, to one using vba routines, class modules, addins, VB, C, and XML. Whatever your level, you may find it helpful to get to the next step. I'm in my 3rd read and getting into the VB level. (Not a paid advert.) Hope this helps "Mark Stephens" wrote: I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#10
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
Yes you will still need Excel, and you will need to use automaton to access
Excel workbooks, not difficult, but does require more work. Plus, you will need to own VB, and that is a cost. -- HTH Bob Phillips "Mark Stephens" wrote in message ... My understanding was that even if the program was in vb my users would still need excel anyway is this not so? "RWN" wrote in message ... You cannot compile VBA into an executable program so your users will definitely require Excel. Regards; Rob ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Mark Stephens" wrote in message ... I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#11
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
You will need Excel as well!
-- HTH Bob Phillips "Mark Stephens" wrote in message ... I appreciate your input guys, it has helped me understand the issues. For my 'professional edition' there would be no problem in requiring my users to have excel but for my 'personal version I will definitely have to use VB as it will probably be licensed at about US$ 500 per year and so excel will double it's price. For the professional edition I will include a proprietory algorithm which needs to be protected does anyone know anything about Savvysoft's turbo excel it looks like an excellent solution for protecting an algorithm? Anyway thanks again for your input, Mark:) "cush" wrote in message ... The main problem with using just Excel is that you can NOT protect the vba code. There are programs widely available that will unprotect your worksheet/ workbook and vba protection instantly, leaving it open to misuse. One way around this is to use xl wrapped inside of a VB front loader. A good source to check out is Professional Excel Development by Steven Bullen et al This requires a good knowledge of vba programming. It takes a simple application through several stages of development from a stand-alone spreadsheet using only xl formulas, to one using vba routines, class modules, addins, VB, C, and XML. Whatever your level, you may find it helpful to get to the next step. I'm in my 3rd read and getting into the VB level. (Not a paid advert.) Hope this helps "Mark Stephens" wrote: I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
#12
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
Thanks, Rob. Good information.
Next time I get that kind of project I'm sure I'll steer towards FarPoint's product. -- Regards, Ron |
#13
Posted to microsoft.public.excel.programming
|
|||
|
|||
Why use VB over VBA?
It all depends on what your application does.
As it sounds like a big project with big money I think it is definitely worth buying the book: Professional Excel Development, by Bullen, Bovey and Green. There are nearly 100 pages about using VB with Excel. I have only just started with this, but found already good use for it, namely to transfer VBA code to ActiveX dll's for speed (up to about twice as fast) and code protection. The other big advantage I can see is to use VB userforms in Excel. RBS "Mark Stephens" wrote in message ... I am a self taught excel programmer and am embarking on development of software for mass worldwide distribtion. Is there any reason why i should consider using VB (which I have never used) over VBA within excel. Seems to me excel can do everything I need and I understand that even if I were to switch to VB my users will still have to have excel to use the program, so is there any benefits in switching? Sirry it's a pretty basi cquestion but there doesn't seem to be much info on google on the subject. Thanks and regards, Mark Stephens |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|