VB to Python migration

[Josh]

DH wrote:
> see vb2py to help the conversion
> http://vb2py.sourceforge.net/
> or if you want to convert vb6 to vb.net instead, there are tools from 
> microsoft and others to help with that, such as:
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=10C491A2-FC67-4509-BC10-60C5C039A272&displaylang=en 
> 
> 
> or if you want to start over from scratch, the other recommendations are 
> good, like pyqt and qt designer, or else do it as a web app instead of 
> desktop app if it just involves basic form controls.

I have taken a quick look at vb2py, but I'm not sure if that's the way 
we want to go. If we do move to Python, we want to take advantage of 
features of the Python language, rather than just rewriting a VB app in 
Python. It may be a quicker solution in the short term, but in the long 
term, I think completely embracing Python from the beginning is the best 
way to go.

I tried running the project through the conversion wizard in VB.NET 
Express Edition recently just for the fun of it. I come up with 16498 
messages at the end of the hour and a half conversion. That's Compile 
and Design errors as well as Warnings. It'd take a while to understand 
those errors, possibly correcting them in VB6 before trying to do 
another conversion, and again, we wouldn't be taking advantage of the 
strengths of the new language. Again, a possibility, but not "good" 
solution.

The web app functionality is something we also want to be very 
accomodating of. We are planning on rewriting in such a way that the 
functionality of the screens (input processing, error trapping etc.) is 
done is an extensibly manner. That would mean using the same code for 
both hardcoded windows as well as web forms.

Thanks,
Josh