ANN: vb2Py 0.2.1 - VB to Python Conversion

[Paul Paterson]

Version 0.2.1 of vb2py has been released.

What is vb2py?
==============

vb2py is a toolkit to aid in the conversion of Visual Basic projects to
Python. The aim of the conversion is to match, as close as possible, the
original VB applications both in terms of code behaviour and form layout.
Version 0.2.1 comprises a basic layout converter (converting to PythonCard)
with a comprehensive code translation. The project roadmap
(http://vb2py.sourceforge.net/roadmap.htm) shows the project's development
timeline.

Converting VB to Python turns your VB projects into cross platform
developments and allows full access to all Python's extensive library of
modules.


What's new in v0.2.1
====================

v0.2.1 is a bug fix and minor enhancement version. Quite a large number of
Visual Basic functions and keywords were not supported in v0.2 and this is
addressed to some extent by this release. The following additional functions
were added for this release:

Array, ChDir, Choose, Environ, EOF, Erase, FileCopy, FileLen, Filter,
FreeFile, IIf, Input, InStrRev, IsArray, Join, Kill, Let, Lof, LSet, LTrim,
RTrim, Trim, MkDir, Name, Randomize, Replace, Reset, RGB, RmDir, Rnd, Round,
RSet, GetAllSettings, GetSetting, SaveSetting, DeleteSetting, Spc, Split,
StrReverse, Switch, Timer.

The coverage is still not 100% but if you whave an urgent need for a
function it can easily be bumped up the queue!


Limitations of v0.2.1
=====================

- Form layout translation is still at the v0.1 level. (target v0.3)
- Form event mapping is still primitive (target v0.3)
- Error handling, ByRef argument passing, Iterable classes are not currently
supported (target v0.4)


Getting the Software
====================

* The main website: http://vb2py.sourceforge.net
* Download this version: http://vb2py.sourceforge.net/downloads.htm
* Documentation: http://vb2py.sourceforge.net/documentation.htm
* Online trial: http://vb2py.sourceforge.net/demo.htm


Requirements
============

* Python 2.2 or greater
* PythonCard (0.7 or greater), wxWindows
* simpleparse (2.0.1a3 or greater), mxTextTools
* Visual Basic is *not* required (although it would help if you had some VB
code ...)


Licence
=======

vb2py is released under the BSD licence.


Release History
===============

0.1    (July 9, 2003) - The first release from the project - a basic form
layout translator
0.1.1  (August 1, 2003) - A bugfix release for 0.1
0.2    (September 8, 2003) - The first release with the full VB Parser
0.2.1  (February 1, 2004) - This release


Contributors Welcome
====================

This project would not be possible without the help and support of many
people. Anyone who wants to get involved is more than welcome to participate
in coding, testing, giving advice, etc. Some particular areas of interest
right now are,

- testing on large VB projects
- testing on Mac
- testing out with VBScript, VBA

In the meantime I would like to thank all those who supported and
contributed towards the v0.2.1 release.

----

Paul Paterson

vb2py :: A Visual Basic to Python Conversion Toolkit
http://vb2py.sourceforge.net