Is XYplorer really written in VB6?

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

XYplorer’s Tech Stack and twinBASIC

  • XYplorer’s long-time 32‑bit codebase is VB6; a 64‑bit version now uses twinBASIC, largely by importing the original VB6 code and forms.
  • twinBASIC aims for near‑100% VB6/VBA compatibility, adds 64‑bit, modern language features (generics, attributes, type inference, etc.), an optimizing compiler, and future cross‑platform ambitions.
  • Some see twinBASIC as “heroic niche work” worth paying for; others dislike the subscription model but note there is a free community edition and periodic discounts, plus competing options like B4X and RemObjects Mercury.

VB6: Dead End or Still Viable?

  • Critics call VB6 a frozen, 32‑bit, Windows‑only language with awkward Unicode support, poor error handling (On Error Goto), and no built‑in multithreading, arguing it’s a bad choice for new projects.
  • Defenders stress VB6 as a “platform” (IDE + COM + RAD UI) rather than just a language, claiming it still excels for rapid CRUD and business apps and that Unicode and modern APIs can be handled via libraries and Win32/COM.
  • Some point out ad‑hoc threading via Win32 CreateThread and mutexes, while others note this is unofficial and fragile.
  • Security-wise, the VB6 IDE is unsupported, but Microsoft still ships compatibility/security updates for the runtime.

Developer Experience, RAD, and COM

  • Many reminisce about VB’s drag‑and‑drop GUI builder and COM components (telephony, embedded browser, database, Excel, etc.) as uniquely productive, despite COM’s complexity and footguns.
  • There is broad nostalgia for similar RAD experiences (VB, Delphi, early web tools like FrontPage) and frustration that modern stacks often replace them with boilerplate and fragile dependency graphs.

Alternatives and Successors

  • Suggested successors/relatives include Gambas, Xojo, Lazarus/FreePascal/Delphi, WinForms, Qt Creator, and GTK designers.
  • Delphi/FreePascal are praised for decades of language evolution and cross‑platform support, though Delphi’s pricing is criticized. Lazarus is seen as powerful but documentation and learning materials are considered weak.

XYplorer as a Product

  • Users report using XYplorer for many years, praising speed, dual‑pane mode, scripting, customization, and stability versus Windows Explorer and Linux file managers.
  • Some share extensive script workflows (image pipelines, backups, renaming, VirusTotal integration).
  • Concerns are raised about the single‑developer “bus factor,” but responsiveness to bug reports is praised.
  • Lack of a native Linux/macOS port is attributed to the VB6/Windows focus; Wine compatibility is queried but not clearly resolved.

Broader Language and Tooling Themes

  • Multiple comments argue that “dead” or unfashionable languages (VB6, Delphi, PHP, ColdFusion) still generate plenty of work, and that outcomes depend more on developers and practices than on language fashion.
  • Others counter that in some ecosystems (e.g., PHP, VB6) pay and new‑project opportunities can be limited and largely maintenance‑oriented.