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Step-by-Step Guide to Running the Visual Basic 6.0 Upgrade Assessment Tool

Overview

This guide explains how to run an assessment tool that analyzes a Visual Basic 6.0 codebase to identify upgrade effort, compatibility issues, and modernization options (e.g., migrate to VB.NET, rewrite, or wrap). It assumes you have an assessment tool (commercial or open-source) that scans projects and reports findings.

Prerequisites

  • A copy of the VB6 solution and all project files (.vbp, .frm, .bas, .cls, .ocx, .dll).
  • A Windows machine with VB6 runtime components installed.
  • The assessment tool executable or installer and its documentation.
  • Backup of source code and a test environment to run builds.
  • (Optional) VB6 IDE for reference and compiling.

Step-by-step

  1. Prepare the codebase

    • Backup: Create a full backup (source control or zip).
    • Organize: Place all project files and dependencies in a single root folder.
    • Resolve missing files: Locate any missing .ocx/.dll or third-party controls.
  2. Install the assessment tool

    • Download and verify the tool package.
    • Run installer or extract portable binaries.
    • Check prerequisites (e.g., .NET runtime) and install if needed.
  3. Configure the tool

    • Set scan root folder to your project root.
    • Include/exclude patterns for folders (e.g., exclude build outputs).
    • Point to type libraries/COM registrations if the tool asks for registered controls.
    • Select output format (HTML, CSV, JSON) and report location.
  4. Run a dry scan

    • Quick scan: Use a fast mode to get initial metrics (file counts, LOC).
    • Review errors/warnings for missing references or parse failures.
  5. Run full analysis

    • Start full analysis to detect language constructs, API calls, COM usage, UI patterns, and external dependencies.
    • Enable deeper checks (threading, error handling, API compatibility) if available.
    • Wait for completion; large codebases may take time.
  6. Review the report

    • Summary metrics: total files, lines of code, estimated conversion effort.
    • Compatibility issues: language features not supported in target (e.g., VB.NET), API/Win32 calls, unsafe constructs.
    • Third-party controls: list of OCX/DLLs and suggested replacements or wrappers.
    • UI findings: forms using unsupported controls or patterns needing redesign.
    • Automated conversion score: percentage of code eligible for automated migration.
  7. Prioritize remediation

    • Categorize findings: blocker, high, medium, low.
    • Estimate effort: use tool’s effort estimates or apply a rule (e.g., hours per LOC).
    • Plan refactoring vs. rewrite for modules with heavy incompatibilities.
  8. Create an action plan

    • Phased approach: e.g., wrap legacy COM for interoperability, migrate core logic first.
    • Assign owners and timelines.
    • Prototype critical paths to validate migration tools.
  9. Re-run after changes

    • Iterate: fix easy issues, update registrations, and re-scan.
    • Track improvement in automated conversion score and reduced blockers.
  10. Export and share results

  • Generate executive summary and technical appendix.
  • Include sample code snippets of problematic patterns.
  • Attach remediation recommendations and cost estimates.

Quick checklist

  • Backup code
  • Resolve missing references
  • Configure tool with correct root and COM registrations
  • Run dry and full scans
  • Review and prioritize issues
  • Create phased migration plan
  • Re-scan after fixes

Tips

  • Register COM components in a clean test VM to match production environment.
  • For large apps, run scans per subsystem to manage time and focus.
  • Use version control to compare before/after scans.

If you want, I can convert this into a printable checklist or a timeline-based migration plan.

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