Microsoft KB Archive/229415

= INFO: Visual Basic Supports P-Code and Native Code Compilation =

Article ID: 229415

Article Last Modified on 7/18/2001

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Visual Basic 5.0 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Basic 5.0 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Enterprise Edition

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This article was previously published under Q229415



SUMMARY
Microsoft Visual Basic is a Rapid Application Development (RAD) tool that offers the flexibility of compiling applications to p-code (pseudo code) or native code.

Compiling to p-code optimizes for the smallest size, making p-code the choice for creating Internet applications in low bandwidth situations. Native code compilation is highly optimized for speed, but the executable files produced are larger than the p-code versions. Visual Basic is the only RAD tool to support both rapid application development through p-code as well as native code compiling for performance.

NOTE: Visual Basic projects compiled as p-code or native code programs still require the Visual Basic run-time DLL (MSVBVM50.DLL or MSVBVM60.DLL) to be installed in the target system. This run-time DLL provides a number of services for your compiled program, such as startup and shutdown code for your application, functionality for forms and intrinsic controls, and run-time functions such as Format and CLng.

