The eVB download page
A few weeks ago James updated the download page for the eVB runtime to give users the option of first answering a few questions (anonymously) about why they need the runtime. The data we’re getting back from that simple survey has so far been incredibly helpful. Combined with other more scientific data we have, this puts us in a better position to target efforts at getting people migrated to .NET before the lack of eVB support in next release of Windows Mobile causes pain to developers and their users. The other changes to this download page are a few paragraphs at the top explaining the deprecation of eVB and a few links at the bottom to whitepapers that will help in migrating. I’ve probably mentioned all of those links here before but just in case you haven’t seen them yet, here they are:
Resources for Developers Migrating from eMbedded Visual Basic
In order to assist developers migrate from eMbedded Visual Basic to Visual Basic .NET Microsoft has provided a series of technical articles.
Migrating From the Embedded Visual Basic language to Visual Basic .NET
Learn how to move Microsoft Windows Pocket PC 2002 software development from Microsoft eMbedded Visual Basic to the Microsoft .NET Framework and Visual Basic .NET. The release of the .NET Compact Framework enables mobile application developers to make use of the same tools and languages used in server and desktop application development.Migrating File Controls
This article provides information to help you port the eMbedded Visual Basic (eVB) file controls (File System and File control) to Visual Basic .NET when migrating your applications from eVB to Visual Basic .NET.Migrating UI Controls
This article looks at the considerations involved in porting the GUI part of an eMbedded Visual Basic application to .NET Compact Framework, using Visual Basic .NET. The article provides an example of how a simple application is created in each environment and explains the basic differences between eVB and Visual Basic .NET in the developer controls and code you will useFeedback Address
In addition, Microsoft is providing a feedback address for you to submit additional comments on migrating from eMbedded Visual Basic to Visual Basic .NET. Please note, this is a general feedback address and not a support alias. No technical support will be offered by this address.
[Author: Robert Levy]
Comments
Anonymous
January 08, 2005
how are youAnonymous
January 17, 2005
i am a stutentAnonymous
January 23, 2005
mmmAnonymous
January 24, 2005
what am i diongAnonymous
January 24, 2005
what am i diongAnonymous
January 24, 2005
Where can I download eMbedded Visual Basic?
I can't find any working links.
GaborAnonymous
January 24, 2005
hiAnonymous
January 24, 2005
this wont workAnonymous
January 24, 2005
helpAnonymous
January 25, 2005
Client wants to buy an iPAQ 2410 which was Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, Second Edition. Will the 2410 support the eVB Runtime?Anonymous
January 25, 2005
You can download the eMbedded Visual Basic runtime from http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/windowsmobile/downloads/evb.aspx.
This will install on Windows Mobile 2003 based Pocket PCs like the one you list above. The important thing to realize is that this runtime will not work on the next release of Windows Mobile software so you definitely shouldn't create any new apps using eVB and ideally, you should migrate existing apps to VB .NET using the resources above.
JamesAnonymous
January 25, 2005
The problem I see with VB.NET is (apart from the cost of the dev tools, vs. free for eVB) is that it is relatively easy to decompile an app to source code, hence rendering my database encoding techniques pointless and opening my protected data to distribution among people who have not licensed my application.
In addition, I get a 50/50 mix of people who need the evb runtime (because they have wm2003) and those who don't - if I switch to VB.NET I just reverse the 50/50 split to make the users of older devices require the .NET runtime instead.
Will the future devices continue to allow development in, say, evc++? This looks like a better bet to me if it's still possible. I know it's possible to decompile pretty much any application with the right tools, but the number of people capable of doing so for a native 'exe' must be smaller than the number who can download a program off the web and run it.
Don't get me wrong - there's a lot I don't like about eVB, and I understand that's what I put up with using free development tools. But the decompilation of vb.net makes me nervous, and is the reason we don't write in java.
Finally, for a suggestion for the evb runtime page, please consider improving the installation instructions. I know it's a retired product, but I spend more time instructing my users on how to install the evb runtimes than I do on support my own application. Nine times out of ten, users 'unzip' the CAB file because that's what they think is required.Anonymous
January 26, 2005
Apps written in the old eVC tools will continue to work on future device. However, eVC itself has also been retired and native C++ developers moving forward will be encouraged to use Visual Studio 2005. For the first time, you'll be able to write native code for mobile devices while taking advantage of the incredible tools that desktop, web, and .NET Compact Framework developers use.
"if I switch to VB.NET I just reverse the 50/50 split to make the users of older devices require the .NET runtime instead"
As time goes on, you'll obviously find that this situation changes in favor of .NET. New devices will continue to ship with .NET and future devices will be without eVB compatibility.
As for decompilation, there are a number of obfuscation tools compatible with .NET CF. A quick Google should point you to those.
Also, I'd be hesitant to think of eVB source code as being safer... eVB is a scripting-based language and your .vb files are really just your source code put into a slightly different scripting format and interpreted at run time. With the use of a good obfuscator, .NET code will be far more protected than any eVB code.Anonymous
February 01, 2005
The eVB download page does not seem to work form my iPAQ 2210 Windows Mobile 2003.
Send me to some Microsoft link for docuemnts on the topic. The download works fine from my PC though?????
Please adiseAnonymous
April 18, 2005
how do i install evb onto my pda?Anonymous
May 26, 2005
WooHoo!Anonymous
June 12, 2005
"how do i install evb to my pda?"
You can't . :) you can install evb runtime...Anonymous
June 18, 2005
So I have downloaded the evb runtime file: msvbppc.armv4. How do I install it on my pda?Anonymous
June 19, 2005
Need it to run a wireless keyboardAnonymous
August 10, 2005
To install a cab file in pda, copy it to a folder in PDA first, then use File Explorer to run the cab file. It should install by itself.Anonymous
August 10, 2005
The comment has been removedAnonymous
January 09, 2006
thanksAnonymous
April 03, 2006
needed for use of some older games for ppcAnonymous
September 14, 2006
I have already installed runtime msvbppc.armv4 but i still cannot run my app form visual embedded 3.0 on my pda!Anonymous
January 02, 2007
I was recently running an eVB app using the runtime and suddenly after trying to register a legacy control from elsewhere it stopped working. I've been developing this app for a few years and will be porting it to .NET but it is for teachers who necessarily use older technology. Can someone let me know exactly what the CAB installs on the pocket pc so I can see what is now missing.Reinstalling the runtime does not overcome the problem for some reason. I'd rather not reinstall everything on my pocket pc if I can help it. Cheers and thanks for running this blog. CarlAnonymous
January 10, 2007
I can't find the eVB download page. Do you have a link to it? I'm just bought a program on Handango. When I installed it, the program says it needs the eVBruntime. Ideas?Anonymous
January 14, 2007
Just type "evb pocket pc" to google search field. Its the first link in the list.Anonymous
March 09, 2007
I've downloaded it but cannot install it on my PDA. I'm running Windows CE 5.0 but it tells me that "Microsoft VB Runtimes for PPC" cannot be installed. I am attempting to use the PocketPC Expense program that I downloaded via the microsoft site and it won't run without this.Anonymous
May 16, 2007
Can someone tell me please, how can i install eMbedded Visual Basic runtime To my pocjet PC??? There is no install icon or something like that... Can you please help me??? Can you write me an answer to ORBB@seznam.cz ?? please please please.... :)Anonymous
June 06, 2007
Download the eVB to your PC. Now this is where the confusion starts. It may show as a Winzip file and everyone is extracting it on the PC and then trying to install the files. Nnnnnnoooooooooo! Just copy the Winzip file in its original state to your PPC and when you open it in the PPC it will automatically load. Easy when you know hey! Regards PaulAnonymous
December 04, 2007
Simon Driscoll..you'll need to install the "msvbppc.armv4.cab" file to your WM5.0...you can find it on the search engine..it should leads to microsoft link(where it all start).Anonymous
March 05, 2008
I have e htc TyTN with Windows Mobile 6 Professional Sistema Operativo CE 5.2.1437. I have downloaded the evb runtime file: msvbppc.armv4.cab and I installed him but my application in EVB 3.0 don't run (Msg: Application Error --> An error was encountered whilw running this program). You can help me? Note: With Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 the application run correctly.Anonymous
March 10, 2008
Does Microsoft let eVB download anymore? I need to modify a project wrote in eVB but I can't download it...Anonymous
April 04, 2008
I tried the copy to PDA prior to unzip after downloading as paul suggests and I still get the same error when I try to run my app. It shows in the explorer on my PDA.Anonymous
April 15, 2008
Download the eVB to your PC. Now this is where the confusion starts. It may show as a Winzip file and everyone is extracting it on the PC and then trying to install the files. Nnnnnnoooooooooo! <I did the same thing> Just copy the Winzip file in its original state to your PPC and when you open it in the PPC it will automatically load. <Where is PPC? , can you explain more explicitlyAnonymous
June 08, 2008
To garlic: PPC is the Pocket Personal Computer, also known as PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). So, you copy the msvbppc.armv4.cab file (it looks like a Zip file) into your PPC/PDA. Once there, use it's own Explorer to run it.Anonymous
June 26, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
July 04, 2008
The download page for the evb runtime does not work= any alternate solution? Thanks (this is for an old application the provider has not updated yet)Anonymous
July 27, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
September 26, 2008
I need it for reason's I cannot divulge unto mankindAnonymous
October 10, 2008
The comment has been removedAnonymous
March 15, 2009
I need this for functionality in a freeware program I downloaded for a piece of software I feel is very basic and should be included in the OS.Anonymous
March 24, 2009
I NEED IT TO RUN A WEDGE PROGRAM SO THAT i CAN HOOK UP TO EXTRA DEVICES.Anonymous
April 08, 2009
NECESITO EL EVB, DONDE LO CONSIGO??? SNAPCOMPUTACION@HOTMAIL.COMAnonymous
July 19, 2009
needed to run Viking Saga game, which does not run on the newer system. Seems to me that if the .net compact framework is so good it should be backwards compatible too.