MS blends native compiler, speed, ActiveX in VB 5.0

Microsoft has formally announced Visual Basic (VB) 5.0 Professional Edition, claiming a native code compiler and up to 2,000 per cent performance hike as key advantages over the previous iteration. The software also includes ActiveX support, IntelliSense usability improvements to save time on syntax errors, and a revamped development environment.

Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft, said that VB 5.0, and particularly support for ActiveX, will kick off a new phase in development: "It has been a long time in coming, but the Industrial Revolution of software is finally upon us. Specialisation of resources, standards for interchangeable parts, and streamlined assembly tools have been used in other industries for hundreds of years to speed the development of highly complex products. Despite their ubiquity, application of these concepts to the modern software industry is just beginning."

VB 5.0 will become part of the Visual Studio 97 suite of Microsoft tools, together with Visual C++ 5.0, Visual J++ 1.1, Visual InterDev and Visual FoxPro 5.0. The suite will be available in Professional and Enterprise Editions. The suite will be rolled out on March 19.