VB Decompiler

Dr Memory · Expert Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 147 Location: Surrey, UK

I've been developing a VB6 runtime diagnostic system, and one of the spinoffs has been a novel new method by which I can enumerate all the controls in a RUNNING vb application, without using any form of PE analysis, and without pre-modification of the target application.

One of the many things it can do is to "RE" form layouts - very much like VBreformer - this is essentially the same enumeration of the applications Forms and Controls collections by a different method.

Because it works at runtime, its biggest advantage is in a runtime diagnostic and/or debugging system. It can access the Properties and Methods of VB controls in the program being debugged.

And it can be injected, giving it late-bound access to the entire controls collection of any running VB6 application.

Regardless of whether we consider that function true "RE", it does create the possibility for some useful, and novel, developer tools.

Here are some ideas I have had for exploiting it in the most useful way. I'd be interested to know what others thought of them ....

App Instance Property Persister

Would automatically persist your app's control appearance settings between executions. No params, just LoadLibrary(X) at startup time.[/*:m:3klwb6in]

App Instant Property Persister++

Would extend AIPP to support project FRM updates from current running app settings. [/*:m:3klwb6in]

Dynamic Resizer

Sick of writing Form_Resize code? Or sick of not being able to stretch your forms and controls together because you are sick of writing Form_Resize code?

Or maybe you're running some other guy's VB application, and he obviously couldn't be bothered either! Is there anything more annoying than a VB ListBox that won't stretch horizontally! (*)

DR would give you an IDE-like resizing window that will let you dynamically resize any running VB6 application's controls. Optionally you can persist those settings, and forget that fixed layout forever.

And of course, as a generic appearance modifier, we'll do everything possible, fonts, colours, etc!

The only thing we will NOT do is Send Messages!!! Pure 100% VB COM level!
[/*:m:3klwb6in]

As you can see, these options chain together to give you the ability to customise your form layouts interactively at RUNTIME, and then get the results mapped back to your source code. All from a tray icon!

But are such fancy tools just that, or real use, that's the question!

Cheers!

PS: (*) we might allow ourselves just ONE PostMessage call to automatically insert horizontal scrollbars in VB listboxes for you, if you want!

_aLfa_ · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 8:26 am Post subject:

It seems pretty nice and a brand new idea.
Keep up the good work, and show us some samples
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One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing. (Socrates)

_aLfa_ · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 10:17 am Post subject:

BTW: I almost forgot to ask, are you also known as MathImagics or do you have anything related to him?
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One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing. (Socrates)

Dr Memory · Expert Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 147 Location: Surrey, UK

[="_aLfa_":2njb0c0o]BTW: I almost forgot to ask, are you also known as MathImagics or do you have anything related to him?[/:2njb0c0o]
My apologies for not responding earlier, I was expecting email notification but it didn't happen so I forgot to look!

MathImagics, now there's a clever guy, eh? What a talent

ok, i confess! 'tis me, yes!

I thought I might hang out here for a while and keep an "eye" on things! (groan!)

So, um, greetings!

I feel quite at home already - that hot-rod avatar looks awfully familiar! :chuckle:

_aLfa_ · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2004 3:11 pm Post subject:

hehe, I liked your work with listview 'clonage', so it's a pleasure to have you with us
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One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing. (Socrates)

Dr Memory · Expert Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 147 Location: Surrey, UK

Thank you!

Yes, those LV/TV cross-process copier demo's seem to have done the rounds .... only a few people have seen the in-house one though - that can copy the imagelist as well - it's cute - although it was an absolute beast to create .......

Lots of water under the bridge since then, of course - we have much more exotic tools these days ....

Cheers