gmStudio Release News: Monday, 22-April-2024

Created by Mark Juras
Last updated: Apr 23, 2024
4 min read

gmBasic: Upgrade Engine

gmBasic is a computer language processor that reads, interprets, and rewrites VB6/ASP/COM systems for the .NET platform (using C# or http://VB.NET ). Based on feedback from our clients and real-world modernization projects, we continuously improve gmBasic so it will help developers more easily produce cleaner, more correct upgrade results. This distribution, Version 40.68, focused on enhancing some of the gmAPI-powered utilities that ship with gmStudio:

In addition, it includes many enhancements in general translation cabapilities; for example:

  • Improves Ole Control layout properties to use Twips to Pixels adjustments

  • Improves handling DefLng and related DefType statements

  • Improves migrating of PropertyBag Color Properties

  • Improves the Support Framework generation feature

  • Improves ArrayToValue.csh code should use index 0

  • Improves Control.CausesValidation property and Validate Event

  • Improves SavePicture migration

  • Improves Reauthoring overloaded methods

  • Improves record of edits, errors, and warnings in translation log

  • Improves migration of COM controls

  • Improves migration of array assignments

  • Improves default framework to be v4.8.1 for VS2022

gmStudio: Upgrade Solution Development Environment

Powered by gmBasic, gmStudio is a platform for analyzing code and developing custom VB6/ASP/COM to .NET upgrade solutions. We are continuously adding functionality to gmStudio and making it easier to use. This distribution includes several enhancements:

  • Adds Edit ScriptRules File operation to References context menu

  • Adds Compare Files operation to Search Results context menu

  • Adds support for matching and reporting XPath locations when searching XML files

  • Improves batch processing to rebuild the VB6 project associated with an upgrade task

  • Improves All Logs Report to restrict results to selected project task(s)

  • Improves file filter behavior on Configuration form

  • Improves .NET Build report operation to also update NetBlds and NetSize fields in the task list

  • Improves global support framework generation script template

  • Improves default User Commands Batch processing script template

  • Improves the set of default scan patterns used for language compatibility reporting

  • Changes the default VS Version for new projects to VS2022

gmAPI: a .NET API for Developing Advanced Upgrade Solutions

Powered by gmBasic, gmAPI is a .NET API for automating our upgrade engine and accessing the semantic models produced by our unique linguistic compilation technology. gmAPI also includes classes for managing complex upgrade rules and integrating with gmStudio. gmAPI is used to implement special purpose utilities in the gmStudio distribution and is updated to improve these utilities and to follow the latest conventions of the gmBasic platform.

gmMetrics: Advanced Metrics Reporting tool

gmMetrics is a tool for reporting the content of system models generated by gmBasic. This includes Symbol Tables, References Reports, Definitions Reports, and Model Audits. gmMetrics is a console application written in C# using gmAPI. We maintain and enhance gmMetrics to keep it in sync with the model schema and to improve the reports.

gmStudio Extensions

gmStudio ships with a collection of sample upgrade rules that can be used to add custom features to your upgrade solution. These XML documents and gmSL scripts are distributed as source that you may modify to fit your unique requirements. The sample rules were updated to reflect the latest product improvements and conventions. See also additions and changes ingmStudio Extensions Repository.

  • Adds example metalang rules to migrate PictureBox to gmRTL.GUI.PictureBox

  • Improves StubBaseClass rules in Environment.std.xml

  • Improves rules to migrate MSGrid.Grid to WinForms

  • Improves rules to migrate various Windows Common Controls to WinForms controls

  • Improves rules to migrate Scripting Runtime to System.IO

  • Improves rules to migrate TabDlg.SSTab runtime to WinForms.TabControl

  • Improves rules to migrate various Threed Controls to WinForms controls

gmRTL: Great Migrations Runtime Library

gmRTL is a sample runtime library that contains classes allowing for more readable translations. We continuously improve this framework in the course of project work. Learn more about gmRTLhere.

  • Improves support for ComboBox.Clear

  • Improves support for Array.Copy

  • Improves File System List Controls

  • Adds Ole Control

Sample Upgrade Solutions

Great Migrations publishes several sample VB6/ASP upgrade solutions that illustrate the various upgrade features. The samples upgrade solutions and results were updated to reflect the latest product improvements and conventions. Learn about the Sampleshere.

  • Updates all Samples to target VS2022 and Framework V4.8.1

gmStudio FAQs

Great Migrations publishes FAQ articles and other information to help teams learning and using gmStudio. You can findall of the gmStudio FAQs on the Great Migrations portal.The following "Support Statement" articles were added or updated since the last product update:

  • Adds Support Statement: How many programmers?

  • Updates Support Statement: Consolidating Shared Code Files

  • Updates Support Statement: gmStudio Licenses