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Compiled support beyond April 2008

Author
28 Nov 2007 9:50 PM
Tom Porterfield
My apologies if this has already been asked/answered but a search didn't
turn up anything specifically to what I have been asked.

I understand that he VB6 IDE will no longer be supported beyond April of
2008.  The runtime will be supported with the version of Windows that it
was included with for as that version of Windows is supported.

My question is this.  If I need to recompile one of my VB6 modules after
the IDE is no longer supported, will I still have support for any issues
encountered in calls to the runtime.  It seems like a silly question to
me, with the obvious answer being that the IDE and compiler are out of
the mix at runtime, only the runtime is in play, so the support
statement that is applicable is the runtime support statement.

But, as much as I have tried to explain that, there are different opinions.

Does anyone know the "official" statement on this specific question?

Thanks.
--
Tom Porterfield

Author
29 Nov 2007 12:01 AM
MikeD
Show quote
"Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:eLw%23ligMIHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> My apologies if this has already been asked/answered but a search didn't
> turn up anything specifically to what I have been asked.
>
> I understand that he VB6 IDE will no longer be supported beyond April of
> 2008.  The runtime will be supported with the version of Windows that it
> was included with for as that version of Windows is supported.
>
> My question is this.  If I need to recompile one of my VB6 modules after
> the IDE is no longer supported, will I still have support for any issues
> encountered in calls to the runtime.  It seems like a silly question to
> me, with the obvious answer being that the IDE and compiler are out of the
> mix at runtime, only the runtime is in play, so the support statement that
> is applicable is the runtime support statement.


There's really no support for VB6 now other than what we, the people,
provide in newsgroups, web sites, etc. Mainstream support for VB6 from
Microsoft ended March 31, 2005. Extended support ends April 8, 2008.
Microsoft publishes this information.  Go to
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex (or you might want to go to
http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?RDPATH=gp;en-us;lifecycle
instead).

As far as runtime support for apps created with VB6, they'll be supported
(as much as they are now anyway) at least for the life of Vista. Basically,
after April 8, 2008, nothing will be ANY different than it's been since
03/31/2005. As of mainstream support ending in 2005, if you encounter a
problem with a VB6 app, you're not going to get much help, if any, from
Microsoft with fixing the issue because they're no longer supporting VB6.

--
Mike
Microsoft MVP Visual Basic
Author
29 Nov 2007 2:10 PM
Tom Porterfield
MikeD wrote:
Show quote
> "Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:eLw%23ligMIHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> My apologies if this has already been asked/answered but a search didn't
>> turn up anything specifically to what I have been asked.
>>
>> I understand that he VB6 IDE will no longer be supported beyond April of
>> 2008.  The runtime will be supported with the version of Windows that it
>> was included with for as that version of Windows is supported.
>>
>> My question is this.  If I need to recompile one of my VB6 modules after
>> the IDE is no longer supported, will I still have support for any issues
>> encountered in calls to the runtime.  It seems like a silly question to
>> me, with the obvious answer being that the IDE and compiler are out of the
>> mix at runtime, only the runtime is in play, so the support statement that
>> is applicable is the runtime support statement.
>
>
> There's really no support for VB6 now other than what we, the people,
> provide in newsgroups, web sites, etc. Mainstream support for VB6 from
> Microsoft ended March 31, 2005. Extended support ends April 8, 2008.
> Microsoft publishes this information.  Go to
> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex (or you might want to go to
> http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?RDPATH=gp;en-us;lifecycle
> instead).

Yes, I have read all of the support statements from MS regarding the VB6
IDE and the runtime.  None of them answer my specific question.

> As far as runtime support for apps created with VB6, they'll be supported
> (as much as they are now anyway) at least for the life of Vista. Basically,
> after April 8, 2008, nothing will be ANY different than it's been since
> 03/31/2005. As of mainstream support ending in 2005, if you encounter a
> problem with a VB6 app, you're not going to get much help, if any, from
> Microsoft with fixing the issue because they're no longer supporting VB6.

As we are a large enterprise customer for MS, we do have extended
support.  Thanks for the info but it doesn't answer my specific
question.  Or maybe it does.  As I said, my assumption is that since the
runtime is supported, even if I recompile my app after the IDE is no
longer supported, runtime support is still available.  The concern from
some of my peers is that even if we can document that an error is coming
from the runtime MS would say that since the app was compiled after
support ended for the compiler that they cannot help with any issues,
even though the OS with the runtime is still fully supported.  Can you
confirm or clarify that?

Thanks.
--
Tom Porterfield
Author
29 Nov 2007 3:21 PM
dpb
Tom Porterfield wrote:
Show quote
> MikeD wrote:
>> "Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
>> news:eLw%23ligMIHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> My apologies if this has already been asked/answered but a search
>>> didn't turn up anything specifically to what I have been asked.
>>>
>>> I understand that he VB6 IDE will no longer be supported beyond April
>>> of 2008.  The runtime will be supported with the version of Windows
>>> that it was included with for as that version of Windows is supported.
>>>
>>> My question is this.  If I need to recompile one of my VB6 modules
>>> after the IDE is no longer supported, will I still have support for
>>> any issues encountered in calls to the runtime.  It seems like a
>>> silly question to me, with the obvious answer being that the IDE and
>>> compiler are out of the mix at runtime, only the runtime is in play,
>>> so the support statement that is applicable is the runtime support
>>> statement.
>>
>>
>> There's really no support for VB6 now other than what we, the people,
>> provide in newsgroups, web sites, etc. Mainstream support for VB6 from
>> Microsoft ended March 31, 2005. Extended support ends April 8, 2008.
>> Microsoft publishes this information.  Go to
>> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex (or you might want to
>> go to
>> http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?RDPATH=gp;en-us;lifecycle
>> instead).
>
> Yes, I have read all of the support statements from MS regarding the VB6
> IDE and the runtime.  None of them answer my specific question.
>
>> As far as runtime support for apps created with VB6, they'll be
>> supported (as much as they are now anyway) at least for the life of
>> Vista. Basically, after April 8, 2008, nothing will be ANY different
>> than it's been since 03/31/2005. As of mainstream support ending in
>> 2005, if you encounter a problem with a VB6 app, you're not going to
>> get much help, if any, from Microsoft with fixing the issue because
>> they're no longer supporting VB6.
>
> As we are a large enterprise customer for MS, we do have extended
> support.  Thanks for the info but it doesn't answer my specific
> question.  Or maybe it does.  As I said, my assumption is that since the
> runtime is supported, even if I recompile my app after the IDE is no
> longer supported, runtime support is still available.  The concern from
> some of my peers is that even if we can document that an error is coming
> from the runtime MS would say that since the app was compiled after
> support ended for the compiler that they cannot help with any issues,
> even though the OS with the runtime is still fully supported.  Can you
> confirm or clarify that?

Only MS can confirm or clarify that and good luck in finding someone
there who would commit or even comment.

I'd say if it isn't explicitly said it's in the support you have bought
and paid for, you can pretty much count on it not being there unless you
can talk MS into an incident-specific response which would be, I'm
confident, a for-fee support incident.

--
Author
29 Nov 2007 4:40 PM
Ralph
Show quote
"Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23kp7gGpMIHA.4584@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> MikeD wrote:
> > "Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
> > news:eLw%23ligMIHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >> My apologies if this has already been asked/answered but a search
didn't
> >> turn up anything specifically to what I have been asked.
> >>
> >> I understand that he VB6 IDE will no longer be supported beyond April
of
> >> 2008.  The runtime will be supported with the version of Windows that
it
> >> was included with for as that version of Windows is supported.
> >>
> >> My question is this.  If I need to recompile one of my VB6 modules
after
> >> the IDE is no longer supported, will I still have support for any
issues
> >> encountered in calls to the runtime.  It seems like a silly question to
> >> me, with the obvious answer being that the IDE and compiler are out of
the
> >> mix at runtime, only the runtime is in play, so the support statement
that
> >> is applicable is the runtime support statement.
> >
> >
> > There's really no support for VB6 now other than what we, the people,
> > provide in newsgroups, web sites, etc. Mainstream support for VB6 from
> > Microsoft ended March 31, 2005. Extended support ends April 8, 2008.
> > Microsoft publishes this information.  Go to
> > http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex (or you might want to go
to
> >
http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx?RDPATH=gp;en-us;lifecycle
Show quote
> > instead).
>
> Yes, I have read all of the support statements from MS regarding the VB6
> IDE and the runtime.  None of them answer my specific question.
>
> > As far as runtime support for apps created with VB6, they'll be
supported
> > (as much as they are now anyway) at least for the life of Vista.
Basically,
> > after April 8, 2008, nothing will be ANY different than it's been since
> > 03/31/2005. As of mainstream support ending in 2005, if you encounter a
> > problem with a VB6 app, you're not going to get much help, if any, from
> > Microsoft with fixing the issue because they're no longer supporting
VB6.
>
> As we are a large enterprise customer for MS, we do have extended
> support.  Thanks for the info but it doesn't answer my specific
> question.  Or maybe it does.  As I said, my assumption is that since the
> runtime is supported, even if I recompile my app after the IDE is no
> longer supported, runtime support is still available.  The concern from
> some of my peers is that even if we can document that an error is coming
> from the runtime MS would say that since the app was compiled after
> support ended for the compiler that they cannot help with any issues,
> even though the OS with the runtime is still fully supported.  Can you
> confirm or clarify that?
>
> Thanks.
> --
> Tom Porterfield

I have worked (employee, contractor, and consultant) for a "large enterprise
[MS] customer".

I feel you are looking for a legal definition of what issues MS can be
enforced to support and by inference those issues which MS may not support.

IMHO - give it up.

If you have significant investments in MS products then protect yourself by
creating your own support staff, build the best rapport with MS or MS
Consulting groups you can. For unless you are a lawyer (and delight in such
hypotheticals) or upper management (and need a platitude), you are wasting
your time on such trivialities. MS will define "support" to be whatever MS
decides it means. MS will support whatever MS decides to support. Period.

Therefore your only option, as a developer, is to maintain the best
non-advisory relationship you can. Should a problem come up use your
resources to come up with a repair, patch, workaround, or even complete
replacement,. that you need do to get back in the game. Let Purchasing and
Lawyers do any fighting.

As far as VB is concerned - it is a Platform, a RAD tool product. It is not
a compiler, nor a language, nor a Runtime. It is all of those. 100% owned
and operated by MS. They can do any dam* thing they feel like.

Again, it is only my own opinion, but frankly if you intend to depend solely
on MS's support - you have to drop VB or gear up to support it yourself.
They have made it quite clear they have abandoned the product. You have to
work to protect your own investment - MS has no interest in YOUR problems.
<g>

-ralph
Author
29 Nov 2007 5:31 PM
Tom Porterfield
Thanks everyone for your responses and opinions.  I now have
clarification directly from Microsoft on the issue and consider the
matter closed.
--
Tom Porterfield
Author
29 Nov 2007 6:00 PM
dpb
Tom Porterfield wrote:
> Thanks everyone for your responses and opinions.  I now have
> clarification directly from Microsoft on the issue and consider the
> matter closed.

And?  Would be interesting to hear at least the gist of the response...

--
Author
29 Nov 2007 6:00 PM
Mike Williams
"Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:uVrM92qMIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Thanks everyone for your responses and opinions.  I now
> have clarification directly from Microsoft on the issue and
> consider the matter closed.

Is it a secret? You haven't posted Microsoft's "clarification". Have they
stung you with a non disclosure agreement? And have you got this
"clarification" in writing?

Mike
Author
29 Nov 2007 7:18 PM
Tom Porterfield
Mike Williams wrote:
> "Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:uVrM92qMIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>
>> Thanks everyone for your responses and opinions.  I now
>> have clarification directly from Microsoft on the issue and
>> consider the matter closed.
>
> Is it a secret? You haven't posted Microsoft's "clarification". Have
> they stung you with a non disclosure agreement? And have you got this
> "clarification" in writing?

I do have it in writing but it is in private e-mail and I don't have
permission to share the specifics.

Generally I think I can say that my specific question landed in the
category of runtime support rather than development support and as such
falls under Microsoft's stated policy around support for the VB6
runtime.  Additional info on support for the VB6 runtime can be found at
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vbrun/ms788708.aspx.
--
Tom Porterfield
Author
29 Nov 2007 7:35 PM
David Kerber
In article <#aOVSyrMIHA.5***@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl>, tppor***@mvps.org
says...
Show quote
> Mike Williams wrote:
> > "Tom Porterfield" <tppor***@mvps.org> wrote in message
> > news:uVrM92qMIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >
> >> Thanks everyone for your responses and opinions.  I now
> >> have clarification directly from Microsoft on the issue and
> >> consider the matter closed.
> >
> > Is it a secret? You haven't posted Microsoft's "clarification". Have
> > they stung you with a non disclosure agreement? And have you got this
> > "clarification" in writing?
>
> I do have it in writing but it is in private e-mail and I don't have
> permission to share the specifics.
>
> Generally I think I can say that my specific question landed in the
> category of runtime support rather than development support and as such
> falls under Microsoft's stated policy around support for the VB6
> runtime.  Additional info on support for the VB6 runtime can be found at
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vbrun/ms788708.aspx.

My question would be:  do you ever expect to need to use it?  VB6 has
been around a loooong time, and I would thank that if you were going to
run into any bugs, you already would have, so future support isn't going
to be needed.  That's been our attitude for at least 5 years, and it
hasn't bit us yet.

--
Remove the ns_ from if replying by e-mail (but keep posts in the
newsgroups if possible).
Author
29 Nov 2007 8:34 PM
Tom Porterfield
David Kerber wrote:
> My question would be:  do you ever expect to need to use it?  VB6 has
> been around a loooong time, and I would thank that if you were going to
> run into any bugs, you already would have, so future support isn't going
> to be needed.  That's been our attitude for at least 5 years, and it
> hasn't bit us yet.

We haven't needed it either, but there is concern that a future service
pack or other update might break something in the runtime.  We have a
project underway to get rid of all of the VB6 code in the application,
but it is a very large application and the work will not be complete
before the IDE is no longer supported.  We wanted to make sure we could
continue to make minor enhancements to the existing code base while the
new application is being written and still be supported from a runtime
standpoint against breaks from possible future updates to the OS from
Microsoft.  We have had security patches cause problems in the past,
though I don't think specifically with the VB runtime, so this
additional assurance allows us a little leeway in how we prioritize the
work that we are doing.
--
Tom Porterfield

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