Jonathan Miles
BANNED
- Dec 23, 2025
- 36
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Is anyone still using Visual Basic .NET for small tools or automation tasks? Interested in practical use cases, strengths, and limitations compared to other scripting options.
Using Visual Basic .NET for Simple Automation
- Thread starter Jonathan Miles
- Start date
- Sep 19, 2025
- 245
- 55
Yes — VB.NET is still being used, especially for small internal tools, automation, and line-of-business utilities, though it’s no longer a trendy or default choice. Its use today is pragmatic, not fashionable.
Below is a realistic, experience-based view.
Compared to other tools:
VB.NET wins for tools with UI or logic
VB.NET better for Windows-only internal tools
Existing VB → maintain, don’t rewrite blindly
If you want, tell me:
Below is a realistic, experience-based view.
Where VB.NET is still practical
1. Internal Windows tools
- Small GUI apps (WinForms / WPF)
- Admin utilities
- Data import/export tools
- Log parsers, file processors
- Very fast to build simple UIs
- Strong Windows API access
- Excellent integration with:
- Excel / Office (Interop)
- SQL Server
- COM objects
- Active Directory
2. Office automation
VB.NET is often chosen when:- VBA is too limited
- PowerShell is too ugly for UI
- C# feels overkill
- Excel → SQL sync tools
- Report generators
- Batch document processing
- Outlook automation
3. Legacy ecosystem support
If you already have:- VB6 or VB.NET codebases
- VB-heavy dev teams
- Existing WinForms apps
Strengths of VB.NET (why people still use it)
✔ Readability
- English-like syntax
- Very approachable for non-CS developers
Code:
If File.Exists(path) Then
ProcessFile(path)
End If✔ Full .NET power
- Same CLR as C#
- Same libraries
- Same performance (almost identical IL)
✔ Rapid GUI development
- WinForms designer is extremely productive
- Good for “tool-style” apps
✔ Easy learning curve
Many people using VB.NET today are:- Sysadmins
- Analysts
- Excel power users
- Non-full-time developers
Limitations (why usage is shrinking)
Microsoft’s strategic direction
- VB.NET is not dead, but feature-frozen
- New .NET language features often:
- Arrive late
- Or never reach VB
Weak ecosystem momentum
- Fewer:
- Tutorials
- StackOverflow answers
- New libraries with VB examples
- Community energy is mostly gone
Poor fit for modern automation
Compared to other tools:| Task | Better alternative |
|---|---|
| Simple scripts | PowerShell |
| Cross-platform automation | Python |
| Web APIs / services | C# / Node |
| DevOps | PowerShell / Bash |
Cross-platform issues
- VB.NET works best on Windows
- .NET Core support exists but is awkward
- Most modern tooling assumes C#
Comparison with common alternatives
VB.NET vs PowerShell
- VB.NET: structured, maintainable apps
- PowerShell: fast scripts, system automation
VB.NET wins for tools with UI or logic
VB.NET vs Python
- Python: huge ecosystem, cross-platform
- VB.NET: better Windows & .NET integration
VB.NET better for Windows-only internal tools
VB.NET vs C#
- Technically equal
- Practically:
- C# has 10× mindshare
- Better long-term future
Existing VB → maintain, don’t rewrite blindly
When VB.NET still makes sense
Use VB.NET if:- You’re on Windows
- Tool is internal
- You need a GUI
- You already know VB
- The lifespan is short-to-medium
- No cross-platform requirement
When to avoid it
Avoid VB.NET if:- Starting a new long-term project
- You need cross-platform support
- You want modern community & tooling
- You expect future devs to maintain it
Bottom line
VB.NET today is:
Alive
Not growing- Useful for specific niches
- Not future-proof
If you want, tell me:
- What kind of automation you’re considering
- Windows-only or cross-platform
- UI or headless
- One-off or long-term
CyberGhost77
BANNED
- Dec 23, 2025
- 6
- 2
Using VB .NET in 2025 feels like driving a vintage car because it still works but everyone else has moved to Python. It is great for quick Windows tools but finding updated libraries is becoming a real struggle
