Visual Basic (VB) has been a major player in object-oriented programming that has empowered thousands of organizations with business applications. Before Microsoft declared the phaseout of VB, it had been historically used for Windows applications, database interfacing, and business operations like marketing, accounting, or order processing. Even though VB.NET has been faithful in its service, the new trends in software development have started outstripping it.
The purpose of this article is not to diminish VB.NET, but rather to focus on the cases in which it is more advantageous to move to C# when operating under .NET Core than to transition to another language or version within the entire .NET ecosystem.
The current state of VB.NET: A technology at a standstill
Nowadays, if you are a VB.NET user, you would observe that the language remains static, while other technologies develop rapidly around us. In this regard, there is an emphasis on C# and .NET Core as per future endeavors. This is what it actually denotes
This signifies that they will face rising maintenance costs, increasing security vulnerabilities, and more integration headaches. On the opposite, migrating to C# and .NET Core will assure long-term safety of their software.
Historical background: Why migrating from VB.NET to C# makes sense
VB.NET and C# programming languages were both introduced in the same period about two decades ago. And since then, C# overtook the leadership role in the sphere of cloud and enterprise software. Here’s what happened shortly
VB6 was replaced by VB.NET, which made it fully object-oriented programming (OOP) and this was largely adopted for commercial purposes.
C# rapidly advanced to add features that have made it more powerful. Some of these features are LINQ, async/await mechanism, and dynamic typing. This caused updates in VB.NET to decelerate, thereby turning it into something less attractive for use by enterprises.
Microsoft introduced .NET Core–a new ecosystem primarily concentrated on C#. It has become a high-performance framework that works across all operating systems. However, VB.NET was largely ignored in this new ecosystem.
NET Framework and NET Core were combined to create NET 5+. The language engine of C# progresses with a dynamic nature yet VB.NET has remained motionless with minor updates only for bug fixing.
Key reasons to convert VB.NET to C#
Switching from VB.NET to C# is not just about sticking with the trend, but realizing new opportunities. There are a few main motives for which companies decide to migrate.
Future-proofing
While C# continues to grow with new features and enhancements, Microsoft has stopped investing in VB.NET.
Performance improvements
C# offers better performance due to continuous optimizations, a combination of JIT (Just-In-Time) and AOT (Ahead-Of-Time) compilation and also because of better memory usage.
Access to modern features
Technologies such as Blazor, minimal APIs, and cloud-native development are only present in C#.
Stronger community and ecosystem
C# development is accelerated by a numerous developer community, many open source libraries and broad documentation, making it possible to save time and work with it-industry technologies conveniently.
When should you migrate from VB.NET to C#?
If you’re working with a VB.NET application, you might be wondering: Do I really need to migrate? The answer depends on your goals, the technology landscape, and—let’s be honest—how long you can afford to maintain aging software without running into serious roadblocks.
Let’s break it down with a few scenarios where moving from VB.NET to C# isn’t just a good idea—it’s practically a necessity.
You need cross-platform capabilities
Imagine your company has been utilizing a VB.NET-based inventory management system for years. The system functions well on Windows. However, with the expansion of your business, your IT team believes running that system on Linux servers or incorporating it into cloud-based architecture is becoming a problem.
That’s because VB.NET is native to Windows operating system, while C# and .NET Core have been engineered to be cross-platform. Shall you wish a seamless operation of your programs under any other platform apart from Windows, such as macOS or Linux, including Docker containers, then shifting into C# would definitely make sense. Consequently, this implies that with C#, you can install your programs at any place, enjoy contemporary cloud applications and stop being over-dependent on Windows servers forever.
You're moving to modern web development
Let’s say your company had created an e-commerce website using ASP.NET Web Forms and VB.NET back in the 2000s. It has been functional throughout time, but some poor results are starting to show recently. Among the challenges faced include its slowness, poor adaptability for phone screens, and whenever you attempt to insert a fresh functionality you plunge into obsolete code confusion.
Here’s the issue: ASP.NET Web Forms is dead, and VB.NET isn’t supported in ASP.NET Core, which is where modern web development is happening. If you want your site to be fast, scalable, and maintainable, you need to move to ASP.NET Core, which means switching to C#. This gives you access to powerful web frameworks like Razor Pages, Blazor, and MVC—letting you build a web application that actually meets today’s standards.
Performance and scalability are becoming a problem
Think of a financial services company that processes thousands of stock transactions per minute. They are finding it difficult to use the VB.NET application they depend on for years—it is taking too long for trades to happen, and performance bottlenecks are beginning to affect business operations.
The reason why C# is more optimized than VB.NET is because it supports modern async programming, uses Just in Time (JIT) and Ahead of Time (AOT) compilation, and gives a chance to do task-based optimization. As a result, your system will be free from numerous pauses, its resources will be managed more effectively, and it will easily adapt to the increased demands of your business.
You need long-term Microsoft support
If your company works in a regulated industry, like healthcare or finance, security updates and compliance are not optional—they’re mandatory. Suppose you have a patient management platform created with VB.NET. As much as it still works properly, Microsoft has indicated that VB.NET will no longer be improved in terms of language features, implying that it will not adapt to new security requirements in the future.
When choosing VB.NET, it is like tying oneself to a less supported technology. With C#, you will always be protected from any insecurity due to the consistent upgrade in terms of safety and performance as well as regulation compliance software. Furthermore, moving to C# means that you won’t have to search for longer through numerous pages when VB.NET eventually becomes a significant drawback.
Alternative approach: Extending VB.NET with C# instead of full migration
If a complete change becomes impossible right away, it may be a good idea to try migrating part of the system, so that you have some time for adjusting to the new environment while still working within limits set by management or other stakeholders. Instead of rewriting everything about VB.NET and going fully into C#, gradually migrate by:
- Adding new features in C#: It’s possible to develop new functionalities in C# that do not change the core structure of the VB.NET.
- Building a web-based front-end in C#: The use of C# for web portal integration enables the modernization of some parts without having to rewrite them entirely.
- Creating APIs that allow C# services to interact: Modern C# development can access APIs that expose VB.NET logic to mobile applications.
This approach is most effective if your existing VB.NET application is stable with no major bugs and still serves most of your business requirements. If you only aim at improving certain features and not changing everything about it, upgrading to C# may be very effective as well as cost-effective. Moreover, especially in situations where full migration expenses are too high, or you require a more progressive update, it is a viable way.
One of the main advantages of this method is that you are improving an established system rather than discarding it completely. This way, you can always keep your software current without major disruptions in ongoing operations.
Nevertheless, combining VB.NET with C# may not be straightforward. Compatibility matters can arise among previous and recent versions. To further complicate things, it may not be easy to resolve some performance-blocking issues as long as your app’s fundamental parts still rely on VB.NET.
The bottom line
Certainly, VB.NET has had an impressive lifespan, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify holding onto it. If you are running a business that relies on VB.NET applications, you’re not alone. However, remaining committed to this technology has its own pitfalls that can block progress. Whether you’re looking for cross-platform flexibility, better web development capabilities, improved performance, or simply long-term viability, moving to C# isn’t just a smart move—it’s the future-proof choice.
Therefore, it is time to take the initiative and get started on planning your migration if you have delayed it. Consequently, the more quickly you relocate, the less turbulent the movement will seem.
TYMIQ provides just the needed expertise for a justified and organized software migration, ensuring your efforts and resources are used effectively. When we work on a migration project, our focus is on long-term value—delivering a reliable final product that enhances efficiency for your business. If you’d like to talk to us regarding your project, just drop us a line atcontact@tymiq.com.
FAQ
1. What is VB.NET?
VB.NET stands for Visual Basic .NET which is a programming language produced by Microsoft and integrated into the .NET framework. It is an enhancement of Visual Basic (VB6) that enables the development of Windows applications, web applications, and services using .NET runtime.
2. Is VB.NET still used?
Yes, VB.NET is still used, but Microsoft has revealed its intention to use C# as the main programming language for development under .NET. The language however, is kept in use by some groups of developers within the .NET ecosystem, especially those maintaining older applications and dealing with a simpler syntax.
3. What is dataset in VB.NET?
In VB.NET, a DataSet is an in-memory data representation that stores multiple tables, relationships, and constraints. It is part of ADO.NET, and is generally used for disconnected data access, which refers to how it manages data without having a direct link to the database
4. What is the difference between VB.NET and C#?
C# and VB.NET are two languages under .NET framework. They vary greatly in terms of syntax and community support. VB.NET has an English-like syntax which is more talkative and not case-sensitive hence making it simple for those beginners and those who are maintaining older applications. On the other hand, C# uses the syntax with a C-style, has case sensitivity and depends on curly braces for structuring leading to shorter and more consistent code.
Whereas VB.NET is mainly used in legacy systems with waning support, C# is actively maintained and preferred for innovative projects, given that it comes equipped with modern attributes, has extensive user base as well as more widespread acceptance in various industries. In terms of performance, they stand equally well since both compile into IL (Intermediate Language). However, with C#, one ensures compatibility with future changes and, consequently, greater amount of resources.
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