By John Kullmann | Published on May 15th, 2018 | Last updated on January 28th, 2025 |
It is a well-known fact that all versions of Visual Basic from 1.0 to 6.0 were retired by Microsoft by 2008. This means that the Visual Basic development environment and associated runtime environments (except for Visual Basic 6) are no longer supported. In a way, VB6 is dead because it is no longer being developed by Microsoft. Microsoft released the .NET Framework in 2001, along with a new language, C#, and an updated Visual Basic .NET version. With this release, it acquired new capabilities via the .NET framework libraries. Most of the .NET framework libraries were written in C#, making it far more accessible to developers than Visual Basic.
The question, “Is Visual Basic .NET dead?” is commonly raised because VB.NET has been overshadowed by the popularity of C#. The introduction of the .NET framework libraries, primarily written in C#, made C# the more favored language among developers. This has contributed to the notion that “Visual Basic is dead in C++” and other modern programming contexts where C# dominates.
Visual Basic had a strong legacy base when it started, and anyone writing code at that time had more than likely used VB. However, VB.NET was so vastly different from legacy VB that it had a problematic upgrade path. Although VB.NET and VB share a similar syntax, they are two entirely different languages.
During the transition period, Microsoft favored C#, as it became the language of choice for most frameworks. While VB.NET and C# share similar libraries, meaning anything achievable in one language is also possible in the other, C# has unique functionality, such as multi-line lambdas. VB.NET, on the other hand, includes features like optional and named parameters. These differences are narrowing with every new release of the .NET framework, making it easier for developers to switch between the two.
One main drawback with VB.NET is that it lacks some core functionality readily available in C#. As a result, developers often prefer the C# approach over the VB.NET method. Visual Basic deliberately hides some paradigms, which can confuse developers just as much as it excites them. Despite the myth among programmers that VB.NET is a more comfortable language, it does not necessarily enhance the development process compared to other programming languages.
With Microsoft’s focus on cloud and mobile technologies, many VB developers are transitioning to C#. Xamarin, with its C# shared codebase for iOS and Android, further accelerates this shift since Xamarin does not support Visual Basic. The perception that C# is the primary language of the .NET framework, coupled with the fact that most libraries are written in C#, has influenced developers’ decisions. C# also offers richer documentation and sample code, creating an ecosystem that attracts developers.
Despite all this, Visual Basic continues to exist as the macro language of Microsoft Office, primarily in the form of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Additionally, the transition from VB to C# code is more convenient within the .NET Framework. Today, Visual Basic is mainly used for Windows Forms applications and a few ASP.NET Web Forms. However, many new VB developers are switching to C# due to its robust ecosystem and support for modern application development.
The question, “Is Visual Basic dead in 2024?” arises because of its declining relevance in modern programming. While VB is not entirely gone, it is clear that Microsoft’s development focus has shifted to other languages. The dominance of C# in modern frameworks and its support for cutting-edge technology has solidified its position as a state-of-the-art programming language used by developers globally.
Visual Basic’s decline is evident, but it remains a part of the programming landscape, particularly through VBA and legacy applications. The vast majority of modern development—supported by rich libraries and frameworks—is moving towards C#. The importance of Visual Basic libraries may still hold in specific legacy systems, but for most new projects, C# is the clear choice. For developers questioning whether to continue with Visual Basic, the answer lies in understanding its limited future in contemporary software development.
