Visual Studio CodeLinux
vs
Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0Windows
Visual Studio Code as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0
Updated
Our verdict
Visual Studio Code is not a direct replacement for Visual Basic 6.0. It lacks a native form designer, drag‑and‑drop control placement, and built‑in COM support. It can edit VB‑style code if you install a language extension, but you will need external tools for GUI design, database connectivity, and project management. It may suit developers who prefer a lightweight editor and plan to rewrite VB6 projects in a modern language, but it is not suitable for users who need the full VB6 IDE experience.
- License
- LicenseRef-proprietary=https://code.visu…
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 1.139.1 (September 25, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both are Microsoft products and support debugging and source control
- Both offer syntax highlighting and IntelliSense‑style code completion
- Both can be extended via extensions or plugins
- Both run on Linux
- Both support multiple programming languages
What is different
- VS Code has no built‑in visual form designer or drag‑and‑drop controls
- VS Code does not natively support COM components or VB6 project files
- VS Code lacks integrated database design tools and legacy database drivers
- VS Code requires external build tools and a different project structure
- VS Code is a lightweight editor, not a full IDE like VB6
Opening your Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 files
VS Code cannot open or edit .vbp or .frm files directly. You would need to convert the project to a different format or manually recreate the UI using a modern framework such as WPF, WinForms, or a web‑based UI. No automatic export/import is available.
Switching from Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 to Visual Studio Code, step by step
- Install VS Code and the "VB.NET" or "C#" extension for syntax support.
- Export VB6 database connections to an ODBC or OLEDB configuration that can be used in .NET.
- Recreate forms using a modern UI framework (WinForms, WPF, or a web UI).
- Port VB6 modules to VB.NET or C# code, adjusting syntax and API calls.
- Compile and test the new application, using VS Code’s debugging tools.
- Use Git integration to manage source control during the rewrite.
Key features of Visual Studio Code
- Cross‑platform, same UI on Linux, macOS, Windows
- Built‑in Git support and source control
- Extensible via a large marketplace
- Integrated terminal and debugging
- Smart code completion (IntelliSense)
- Language‑specific linters and formatters
How to install Visual Studio Code on Linux
flatpak install flathub com.visualstudio.codeFrequently asked questions
Can I run my existing VB6 application on Linux with VS Code?
No. VB6 applications are Windows‑only; you would need to rewrite them for a cross‑platform framework or use a Windows compatibility layer like Wine.
Does VS Code support COM components?
It can reference COM libraries via .NET interop, but it does not provide the same COM design surface or registration tools that VB6 offered.
Is there a free alternative that offers a form designer?
Yes, tools like Lazarus (Free Pascal) or Qt Creator provide visual designers and run natively on Linux, but they use different programming languages.
3 other alternatives to Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0
LazarusLazarus is a free, open‑source Delphi‑style IDE for Free Pascal, enabling rapid cross‑platform application…Open sourceFreeLazarus vs Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0
EclipseEclipse is a free, Java‑centric integrated development environment that runs natively on Linux.Open sourceFreeFlatpakEclipse vs Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0