psms
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Debugging a Visual Basic like language in VBA (Excel/ Word 2003)
THE BACKGROUND
I do a lot of development on a program (PSBasic) that is similar to Visual Basic but has a slightly different syntax. The development environment for PSBasic is very bad, may be similar to the old DOS basic. I have developed macros that change the code for PSBasic into VBA that can be run and debugged in Excel 2003 VBA. In addition, I use some custom functions declared in VBA and some variable declarations. Once it is debugged, I use another macro to convert back from VBA to PBasic.
Now I want to convert this method to an application. The application will be like an add-in or something similar. It will hide the macros used for converting back and forth from PSBasic to VBA. It will also hide the variable declarations and custom fuctions that I have developed. The user will be able to see the 'converted' code (PSBasic to VBA). Then debug the code as he would a VB Macro and then convert the debugged code back from VBA to PSBasic.
THE CHALLENGE
Before I spend a lot of time developing this,I AM LOOKING FOR SOME TIPS TO MAKE THE WHOLE PROCESS BETTER and more user friendly. I am not really worried about the cost of developing this. Only that it should be an excellent application.
One key challenge is that the syntax changing from PSBasic to VBA is difficult i.e. we are replacing on pattern of if..then..else statements with another pattern, etc.
(Please note that PSBasic is not the real name of the program that I use.)
I do a lot of development on a program (PSBasic) that is similar to Visual Basic but has a slightly different syntax. The development environment for PSBasic is very bad, may be similar to the old DOS basic. I have developed macros that change the code for PSBasic into VBA that can be run and debugged in Excel 2003 VBA. In addition, I use some custom functions declared in VBA and some variable declarations. Once it is debugged, I use another macro to convert back from VBA to PBasic.
Now I want to convert this method to an application. The application will be like an add-in or something similar. It will hide the macros used for converting back and forth from PSBasic to VBA. It will also hide the variable declarations and custom fuctions that I have developed. The user will be able to see the 'converted' code (PSBasic to VBA). Then debug the code as he would a VB Macro and then convert the debugged code back from VBA to PSBasic.
THE CHALLENGE
Before I spend a lot of time developing this,I AM LOOKING FOR SOME TIPS TO MAKE THE WHOLE PROCESS BETTER and more user friendly. I am not really worried about the cost of developing this. Only that it should be an excellent application.
One key challenge is that the syntax changing from PSBasic to VBA is difficult i.e. we are replacing on pattern of if..then..else statements with another pattern, etc.
(Please note that PSBasic is not the real name of the program that I use.)
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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no. $500 for development isn't either. (You would get three GUI Forms for that.)
Without java you're not locky enabling the VB-Debugger for your language. Stucked with MS ;)
Without java you're not locky enabling the VB-Debugger for your language. Stucked with MS ;)
ASKER
Thanks Mig-O
So I guess I have to stick with my original solution i.e. VBA/ VB as I descrtibed. Well I have tons of free time, so I think that my best bet would be to just keep on developing on my own.
Can you please clarify the following comment
" Without java you're not locky enabling the VB-Debugger for your language. Stucked with MS ;)"
OTHERS
Pl let me know if you have any good tips for me.
So I guess I have to stick with my original solution i.e. VBA/ VB as I descrtibed. Well I have tons of free time, so I think that my best bet would be to just keep on developing on my own.
Can you please clarify the following comment
" Without java you're not locky enabling the VB-Debugger for your language. Stucked with MS ;)"
OTHERS
Pl let me know if you have any good tips for me.
i meant lucky instead of locky. And that if you stay with Microsoft, you have to do as they with (eg. they would never release free tools, that make you build your own languages and debuggers, because they will loose control ... something Microsoft will never accept.
ASKER
Mig-O
Can you please advise if I use eclipse and get it developed by someone who knows java, etc.; how many manhours of effort would be needed to make a fully functional VB like debugger.
Also, would it be really as good as VB debugger. e.g. can I run the code till any statement, pause it there. Then open the Locals window and see the current value of every single variable in the program.
psms
Can you please advise if I use eclipse and get it developed by someone who knows java, etc.; how many manhours of effort would be needed to make a fully functional VB like debugger.
Also, would it be really as good as VB debugger. e.g. can I run the code till any statement, pause it there. Then open the Locals window and see the current value of every single variable in the program.
psms
Believe me, doing it right, and the bedugger outperformes VB in any features. Think in manweeks, not hours ;)
ASKER
In view of this, is Eclipse a realistic solution for me.