Converting a massive VB program into Java
I'm just getting started in my search for information, but I'm looking for any experiences from people who have converted large applications from VB to Java.We will be attempting this at work and I am heading up the research of ways to do this and the pitfalls we are going to face.
Are there converters out there that work (such as DiamondEdge's)?
What are the major pitfalls to look out for?
The reason for the conversion is because we need to make the app run on a Linux box, with this we also plan to convert from using MS Office to OpenOffice for our presentation and db solutions; though I'm sure this is a whole other forum and question.
Thank you.
CM
I have not converted VB to Java but I have converted C++ to Java and Ada 95 to Java.
If you have a design document from the VB project then pick out the parts you want to keep and rewrite it based on Java APIs.
Another thing I would suggest is. Choose what parts of the VB App are needed for the core system. Note all the other parts but do not try and write them straight away. Leave all but the core parts until you have a working Java App even if it only does 20% of what is finally required. You will reduce the complexity of the task especially if the VB program is massive as you say.
What I meant by Core system is parts of the system you cannot use the system without. An example of what is not core is:
If your program prints and the users say that it is part of the system they cannot do without it is still part of the system that can be put to one side because printing is not core to the processing of the system.
Or, the system relies on textual data files and there are some editing functions to allow these to be manipulated before processing begins then the edit functions are not part of the core system. A standard text editor can be used as a temporary work around.
Do not get hung up on converting VB straight to Java. All you will do is add all the funnies of the VB into your Java App and then you'll have VB funnies and Java funnies.
All the fundamental classes that hold the data, etc may well just convert but many of the managers may need a complete rewrite.
Use the VB App as a benchmark/prototype to show that your Java App is doing the same thing.
