How to transform VB.Net Windows form to web

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Hi,

I have developed an application with Visual Studio, in VB.Net, that has multiple Windows forms. I would like to convert this application to make it accessible through a web browser for remote access.

Ideally, I would like to keep as much as possible of my VB.Net code and just replace the windows forms. If I have to recreate the web forms to look like what I have now, I would prefer to have a tool that allows to do drag & drop of controls (button, listview, video streaming in a picture box, NumericUpDown, ComboBox, Textbox); I have briefly tried to use asp but I don't know it so it was a bit painful. If there are other languages or tools, I would prefer that.

Also, for the computer running the application, I would like to avoid using the IIS. If the application can be installed with the easiest environment, then it would be best. I expect Windows XP home or pro, window 7 and 8.

Any suggestion from the pros on this forum?

Thanks in advance.

Posted 28-Jan-13 5:43am

sutton1

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Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov · Answer 1 · 2013-01-28T05:46:00

Solution 1

You cannot. You best bet will be reusing of the code unrelated to UI. Hope you isolated it well. The functionality of Web pages are very, very different from forms or windows. Main reason for it is the stateless nature of HTTP.

—SA

Posted 28-Jan-13 5:46am

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov

Updated 28-Jan-13 5:47am

v2

**Joezer BH** · Answer 2 · 2013-01-28T18:45:00

Hi Sutton,

To some extent it depends on your coding techniques.
What is clear is that all sides regarding the GUI would have to be re-written.
But if you have a solid well written generic Business Logic layer in pure code it can probably be used with minor configuration.
If you haven't decoupled your BL and GUI, at least you know now why one should :)

<br />
You mentioned you tried asp

. Is that classic asp or ASP.NET? note that ASP.NET as exactly what you mentioned, drag-n-drop controls to a form GUI with the Visual Studio IDE etc, very easy (and while we're at it, you can consider other technologies, like flash, silverlight, mvc)

As for your wish for avoiding IIS, it seems to me the simple solution for hosting a web app, it does all the work for you, simple as that.
Without IIS you'll have to manage the connections with the clients and the HTTP module etc, quite a hack.
But if you have other solutions you are more acquainted with that's fine.

Good luck

Cheers,
Edo