FAQ

FAQ for VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service

FAQ for using the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter

FAQ for converted code

A 'beelucid' directory is created. What is this directory for? What does it contain?
I see the types 'StringBridge', 'ObjectBridge', and the like in the output. What are these?
I see a 'SystemBridge' class in the output. What is this for?
VB.Net has built in support for events and event handling. How is this converted?
VB.Net supports attributes which are platform (Windows.Net) specific. How is this converted?

Any questions? Contact us.

How does the VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service work?

When you order the VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service:

Add an order to the cart.
- No money down!
- You may choose a deposit option to preview a portion of your converted code.
- The deposit is optional, but if you choose it, the minimum deposit is $25.
- Deposits are non-refundable.
Proceed to checkout. Enter your information. You will see a dropbox for secure file upload.

Archive your application and upload as one file.
For your security, we use secure file transfer network, not ftp.

We generate a line count of your vb files and email you a price within 24 hours.
- The minimum rate is 5 cents per line (for the Compile only option).
- Please contact us if you want the Compile and Execute option, as we may need to customize your quote.
- Minimum charge is $100.
- Click the confirmation link in the email and then the conversion order is placed.
If you have chosen the deposit option, you will receive an email with an preview link.
- You may download and inspect the preview portion of your converted code which was paid for by the deposit.
- If you do not approve, there is no further obligation.
When we have completed converting your code, you will receive a notification email.
- Click the acceptance link in the notification email to go to payment page.
  - Amount due will be less deposit, if applicable.
  - After payment, a download link and download password for your order will be displayed.

Tell me more about your VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service.

We offer the following options:

Compile and Execute VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service.
- We will convert your code to compile and execute.
- Your translated application will pass an acceptance test which we agree upon in advance.
- The rate is only 20 cents per line.
  - This rate applies to applications which use our existing library of plugins.
  - Our existing plugin library supports the namespaces:
  - Our superior support has included videos made for specific customer apps covering Java implementation, use of Eclipse, and more.
  - If your app uses .Net functionality which we do not have a plugin for, we can write
    plugin adapters for our open source library at additional, but extremely reasonable, cost.
- For an estimate or more information, please contact us.
Compile Only VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service.
- We will convert your code so that it will compile in Java.
- The rate is only 5 cents per line
- For all .Net services your application uses
  - Our VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service creates interfaces for all calls.
  - This code will compile.
  Some of these interfaces:
  - Will be fully implemented
    - via built in plugin adapters, which map .Net services to Java implementations.
  - Will be stubs
    - that are unimplemented but will compile.

Only the VB.Net (*.vb) files in your app contribute to the line count.

Generated VB.Net files (e.g. Forms Designer files) do contribute to the line count.

Our current target version for code conversion is Java version 1.6.0_03.

If we cannot convert your code, we will notify you immiediately and refund any deposit, if there was one.

What are plugin adapters?

Our conversion technology uses plugin adapters to map .Net services to Java implementations.

VBeeJ for Java converters have plugin adapters built in for a wide variety of .Net namespaces, including:

Forms, Drawing

Collections

IO, IOStream

Text

Xml, Schema, XPath

Reflection

VisualBasic

and many more, as well as

many VB.Net library functions.

We now support the Blackberry!

Our plugin library is always expanding.

If your application uses a .Net service for which a plugin adapter is built in, the plugin adapter code will be generated, mapping the .Net service to the Java implementation.

The plugin adapter library which is built into the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter:

Is continually being expanded.
generates plugin adapters as open source Java.
What is generated for your program depends on your program requirements.

Plugin adapters can be added to the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter dynamically and a open source platform for building plugin adapters is part of the VBeeJ For Java Free Trial installation.

The VBeeJ For Java Free Trial comes with a convert-and-run demo example suite that generates the Xml plugin adapter, which implements the .Net Xml API on Java 6.0. You can browse the Xml plugin adapter source and explore the platform for building plugin adapters if you download the VBeeJ For Java Free Trial and convert and run the examples. Note that the Xml plugin adapter generated by the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter is generated as open source Java and it can be used in any Java context for which this Xml API may be useful.

Do you offer a turnkey solution?

Yes, this is our Compile and Execute VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service.

We will convert your code to compile and execute.
Your translated application will pass an acceptance test which we agree upon in advance.
The rate is only 20 cents per line.
- This rate applies to applications which use our existing library of plugins.
- Our existing plugin library supports the namespaces:
- Our superior support has included videos made for specific customer apps covering Java implementation, use of Eclipse, and more.
- If your app uses .Net functionality which we do not have a plugin for, we can write
  plugin adapters for our open source library at additional, but extremely reasonable, cost.
For an estimate or more information, please contact us.

What is the deposit option?

If you order the VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service, you can select the deposit option. For an optional deposit, you can preview a portion of your code before full delivery and payment.

If you choose the deposit option...

You pay a portion up front.
- The same rate for converting code applies.
- Choose your deposit amount at checkout.
- The minimum deposit is $25.
- Deposits are non-refundable.

Then you get...

Pre-delivery of a portion of your converted code before payment-in-full and final delivery.
The minimum deposit of $25 with the compile only option allows you to preview 500 lines of converted code.
- You will receive a download link by email for the pre-delivered code.
If you do not approve, there is no further obligation.

How do you choose the deposit option?

You may enter an optional deposit amount to your shopping cart.

Do you convert VB6 to Java?

We recommend that you convert your VB6 code to VB.Net and then convert your VB.Net code to Java. Microsoft supports an Upgrade Wizard in Visual Studio. Another good option is VB Migration Partner which is a converter written by Francesco Balena.

Why convert VB.Net to Java?

The Beelucid philosophy is that you should be able to leverage your software investment across platforms according to your business requirements. Our mission is support you in this task.

Java is our target language for code conversion because it has many compelling attributes. Here is a quick summary:

Advanced object-oriented language
Large libraries
Common set of APIs
Rigorously tested platform
Lots of skilled programmers available
Automatic memory management

Also, Java is platform independent. Your code will run on any operating system. New versions of Java are for the most part strongly source compatible with previous versions. Java is free. Java standard class libraries are free, large, diverse, and secure. Free, robust, and advanced development envionments are available for Java.

(For an example, see the Eclipse Platform. The free trial comes with a demo example suite and an Eclipse workspace. The commands built into the installation Eclipse workspace show how to run the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter as a tool within Eclipse. Documentation is included in the free trial installation.)

Java has a huge standard class library. The functions supported by this class library range from simple String support to networking and graphic user interface creation. Java is a reasonably large programming language, but its complexity is easily superseded by the class library. Sun licenses the source for the class library, so any vendor that agrees to Sun's terms can support the class library on their Java platform. As a result, the Java class library is both large and ubiquitous, creating a standard software environment on all Java platforms. The great popularity that Java has enjoyed has resulted in a huge body of literature on all aspects of the Java class library. This reduces the learning curve and makes the class library easier to use.
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What version of VB.Net do you convert?

Our converters accept all of VB.Net 2003 (VB 7.1) and almost all of the features in VB.Net 2005 (VB 8.0), including inheritance of generic types, the Using keyword, and more. Unsupported features in VB 8.0 may get parse errors for unrecognized syntax and the translation will not occur. Implementation of VB.Net 2005 is ongoing. Please contact us if you have particular requirements.

How do I install and run the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter?

Installing the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter

After you have entered your order information, you will be able to initiate the download of a Windows installer which will install the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter, along with a convert-and-run demo example suite and other files, into a directory of your choice.

Running the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter

The VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter can be run

With the gui.
As a jar file, from the command line
As an external tool within the Eclipse Platform.
- The free trial
  comes with a demo example suite and an Eclipse workspace. The commands built into the installation Eclipse workspace show how to run VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter as a tool within Eclipse. Documentation is included in the installation.

Note that VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter requires a jre of version 1.6.0 or higher to run.

Running the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter with the gui

Click on the VBeeJ For Java icon and the gui will execute. You can select files to convert and output directory.
Running the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter jar file

The VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter jar file is distributed with the examples in the VBeeJTools directory. Go to that directory and enter
java -jar VBeeJ.jar -help

to see the command line options. If no options are supplied, the gui will be invoked.

Does the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter require a particular Java development environment?

The VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter produces Java source files which can be used with any Java development environment. If you are unfamiliar with Java development environments, the Eclipse Platform is a good (free) choice. The free trial comes with a demo example suite and an Eclipse workspace. The commands built into the installation Eclipse workspace show how to run the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter as a tool within Eclipse.
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What does the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter produce?

Here is a simple example, where the input and output is shown in the Eclipse Platform (version 3.2).

VB.Net Input

Click the link to view a simple test program which defines a property. The source file contains a base class and a derived class.
Java Output

Click the link to view the result of translation. Three files are created, for each class in the input source. Each defines a Java class with the same name as the class in the input source. Note that the Module is converted to a final class.
The converted code includes the comments from the original source.

The Java produced by VBeeJ conforms to Java version 1.6.0.
The beelucid Directory

This is a special directory created by VBeeJ for Java converters. The beelucid directory is:
- where plugin adapters needed by the sources are generated.
- where any unresolved references to types, methods, or system libraries are resolved.
- where any needed Bridge type definitions are generated
Bridge classes provide a 'bridge' between similar classes on the different platforms. Click the link to show the contents of the beelucid directory for a simple test case. A few Bridge classes are shown, including the Bridge classes which support Events and EventHandlers. The contents of the beelucid directory will vary depending on the characteristics and requirements of the source program. All class definitions are in the form of Java source files.

'Info' messages are output. What are these? How should I respond?

'Info' messages are messages which describe the translation choices made by VBeeJ. They are for infomational purposes, to help you understand the generated code better. In general no response is required.

In the message, the source file name is followed by a line number and message category, and followed by the message text.

[TestRedim.vb] 1: Beelucid info: Every Visual Basic namespace creates a package directory in the Java context (namespace 'TestRedim')

Click the link to view an example of VB.Net source with its translation and translation messages. The linked example shows info messages, warning messages, and an error message.

'Warning' messages are output. What are these? How should I respond?

'Warning' messages are messages which notify the user that the Java translation may not completely match the VB.Net functionality for all cases. You should check the code indicated by these warning messages. The more common cases will most likely require no modification.

In the message, the source file name is followed by a line number and message category, and followed by the message text.

[TestRedim.vb] 6: Beelucid warning: Visual Basic operator 'GetType(<className>)' converted to Java '<classname>.class', which has equivalent but not identical functionality and syntax.

Click the link to view an example of VB.Net source with its translation and translation messages. The linked example shows info messages, warning messages, and an error message.

'Error' messages are output. What are these? How should I respond?

'Error' messages are messages which notify the user there is no Java construct or functionality that can be automatically converted to implement the VB.Net statement. There aren't many of these and they are mostly generated for features included in VB.Net for VB6 compatibility. You will need to check the code and manually convert.

In the message, the source file name is followed by a line number and message category, and followed by the message text.

[TestRedim.vb] 8: Beelucid error: 'ReDim' statement requires manual translation if the operand has not been declared with specific dimensions but is an object of 'Array' type (array name 'my3DIntArray').

Click the link to view an example of VB.Net source with its translation and translation messages. The linked example shows info messages, warning messages, and an error message.

The VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter produces parse errors but I think my VB.Net program is correct. What does this mean?

The VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter supports VB.Net 2003 and many of the features of VB.Net 2005. This means other versions of VB may not parse, although implementation of VB.Net 2005 is ongoing and upgrades with its features will be regularly available. If you think you have a bug, please file a bug report.

A 'beelucid' directory is created. What is this directory for? What does it contain?

This is a special directory created by VBeeJ for Java converters. The beelucid directory is:

where plugin adapters needed by the sources are generated.
where any unresolved references to types, methods, or system libraries are resolved.
where any needed Bridge type definitions are generated

I see the types 'StringBridge', 'ObjectBridge', and the like in the output. What are these?

VB.Net supports primitive types Boolean, Char, Byte, Short, Integer, Long, Single, and Double. Java's parallel types are boolean, char, byte, etc. Basic types in Java and VB.Net behave identically in some contexts but not in others. Where they behave identically, the translation is direct. Where they do not behave identically, a Bridge type wrapper object is created, that wraps the underlying basic value. The Bridge type definitions are contained in the beelucid directory.

For example, a VB.Net statement of the form

Dim II As Integer = 3

converts directly into the Java variable initialization statement

int II = 3;

VB.Net primitive types and Java basic types are parallel but they do not behave identically in all contexts. The VB.Net variables are objects which support services. An int variable in Java is a simple value. When this difference results in a difference of functionality or behavior, VBeeJ uses bridge types to bridge the difference. The goal is to have your VB.Net program convert into legal Java.

For example, in VB.Net, the following variable initialization relies on the fact that Integer variables are object of class Integer:

Dim II As New Integer(3) 'Integer is a class and 'New' creates a new Integer object

A direct translation of this into a Java initialization would not be legal because int is a value not an object type:

int II = new int(3); // Illegal Java because 'new' can't be used to create a value

In this example, VBeeJ will generate a IntegerBridge class in the beelucid directory in order to create the int value:

int II = new IntegerBridge(3).intValue();

The IntegerBridge class creates an object which is a wrapper for the underlying Java basic int value, and the method intValue() returns that underlying value.

I see a 'SystemBridge' class in the output. What is this for?

The SystemBridge contains stubs as well as some implementations for library and system functions, some generated by default and others generated because they were identified in code. Click this link to view the default SystemBridge class.

VB.Net has built in support for events and event handling. How is this converted?

VBeeJ for Java converters implement complete and robust support of support of events and event handling. For events, the class EventBridge is generated. This class associates an event object with a set of handlers, which can be added and removed. For event handling, the class EventHandlerBridge is generated, which supports associating a handler with an event object.

VBeeJ for Java converters will generate all the code needed to fully implement in Java the event and event handling functionality in your VB.Net program. Click this link to view a VB.Net example Test.vb which has a WithEvents variable, an event class, an event handler, and raises an event.

Click this link to view classes in Test.vb after they've been converted into Java. The converted classes use the bridge classes. The VB.Net Event variable MyEvent has the type in Java of EventBridge, which associates MyEvent with a set of handlers. The class declaring this event, MyEventClass, utilizes the class EventHandlerBridge, to support associating handlers with MyEvent. For a high level view of EventBridge and EventHandlerBridge click this link .

After conversion, this example compiles and executes identically on both platforms with no modification.

VB.Net supports attributes which are platform (Windows.Net) specific. How is this converted?

At this time attributes are ignored.

FAQ

FAQ for VBeeJ For Java Conversion Service

FAQ for using the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter

FAQ for converted code

Any questions? Contact us.

If you choose the deposit option...

Then you get...

How do you choose the deposit option?

Installing the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter

Running the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter

Running the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter with the gui

Running the VBeeJ for Java Free Trial Converter jar file

VB.Net Input

Java Output

The beelucid Directory