From VB6 to Next.js: 25 Years of Programming Evolution

Software development isn't just a profession — it's a lifelong journey. For those of us who started in the late '90s or early 2000s, we've witnessed an extraordinary transformation in how we build applications. From Visual Basic 6 (VB6) to modern frameworks like Next.js, the evolution of programming has not only changed technology but reshaped the way we think about architecture, UI, performance, and scalability.

This is my personal reflection on 25+ years of programming — from thick-client desktop apps to cloud-powered web platforms.

1. The Early Days: VB6 and the Rise of Windows Apps

In the late 1990s, Visual Basic 6 was the go-to for anyone building Windows applications. With its drag-and-drop GUI designer, event-driven model, and easy database access via ADO, VB6 made software development feel magical.

Key Skills at the Time:

• Form design with controls (TextBox, Grid, ListBox)

• ADO recordsets for MS Access/SQL Server

• Packaging apps using Setup Wizard

• On Error Resume Next — our favorite exception handler 😅

Takeaway: VB6 taught the basics of event-driven programming and user-centric design — even if we didn't call it UX back then.

2. Database Era: dBase, FoxPro, and SQL

Before VB6, I tinkered with dBase III, FoxBASE, and eventually FoxPro. These were among the earliest tools that combined data and programming logic.

Highlights:

• .PRG files, macros, command windows

• Indexed DBF files and memo fields

• Learning to normalize data manually

• First experiences with data-centric programming

Later, SQL Server, MySQL, and MS Access became part of the toolkit.

3. The Web Awakens: HTML, JavaScript, and PHP

With the internet boom in the early 2000s, desktop apps started giving way to web-based solutions. Enter:

• HTML 4.01 and CSS2 for markup and styling

• JavaScript for interactivity (via jQuery later)

• PHP 3/4/5 for server-side logic

• Apache + MySQL: the heart of LAMP stack

The shift: From stateful desktop apps to stateless request-response models. You had to rethink UI, navigation, and user sessions.

4. ASP, .NET, and VB.NET: A Familiar Yet New World

For VB6 developers, the natural evolution was VB.NET and ASP.NET. It introduced the CLR, web forms, and a more structured approach to object-oriented programming.

New Concepts Learned:

• Master Pages, Code-Behind

• ADO.NET and LINQ

• Postbacks and ViewStates

• .NET Framework's powerful class library

It was like getting a jet engine upgrade — powerful but heavier.

5. JavaScript Renaissance: jQuery to AngularJS

By 2010, JavaScript took center stage. Libraries like jQuery simplified DOM manipulation and AJAX. Then came frameworks like:

• Backbone.js (for MVC)

• AngularJS (the first big SPA framework)

• Knockout.js, Ember.js, and more

Big Change: We moved logic to the frontend, creating rich client-side apps that felt more dynamic and responsive.

6. React and the Component Era

In 2015, React changed everything. With its component-based architecture, one-way data flow, and virtual DOM, it offered:

• Reusability and modularity

• A declarative way to build UI

• Seamless integration with Redux, GraphQL

React marked a mindset shift: treat UI as a function of state.

7. Full-Stack Modernization: Next.js and Beyond

Today, Next.js is my go-to framework. Built on top of React, it offers:

• File-based routing

• API routes for server-side logic

• Static Site Generation (SSG) and Server-Side Rendering (SSR)

• Built-in TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and more

Combined with backend tech like PostgreSQL, Prisma ORM, NextAuth.js, and cloud platforms like Vercel or AWS, we can now build scalable, lightning-fast apps that were unimaginable in the VB6 days.

8. Lessons Learned Over 25 Years

• Adaptability is everything: Tech stacks will change. Your ability to learn and unlearn is what keeps you relevant.

• Fundamentals > Frameworks: Understanding algorithms, data structures, and clean code matters more than just knowing syntax.

• UX is King: Whether desktop or web, the user experience defines the product's success.

• Don't fear the full-stack: Modern tools make it easier than ever to build both frontend and backend seamlessly.

• Automation & CI/CD: DevOps, GitHub Actions, and cloud deployments have made software delivery faster and more reliable.

9. From 10MB EXEs to 10KB Components

Looking back, I marvel at how we've moved from:

• Bundling massive installers on CDs

• Handing floppies to clients

• Debugging on live systems

To:

• Deploying apps with a git push

• Hot reloads, real-time logs, and analytics

• Cloud-native microservices with autoscaling

What a ride!

10. What's Next?

As I look ahead, I'm excited about:

• AI-enhanced coding (Copilot, ChatGPT)

• Edge computing and serverless

• Low-code platforms and design systems

• WebAssembly for high-performance web apps

And yet, I carry my VB6 experience proudly — it taught me to think in windows, events, and users. Every new framework I touch still benefits from those early learnings.

Final Thoughts

Your journey as a developer is never complete. Whether you began with punch cards or JavaScript, each era brings its own flavor, frustrations, and joy. Embrace the evolution, and keep building.

> From VB6 to Next.js, one thing hasn't changed:

> The thrill of making something that works.

Read More

Visit IOTBench.com to explore real-world projects, smart automation, and our take on full-stack development with modern tools.

This journey represents not just technological evolution, but the human capacity to adapt, learn, and grow. Every line of code written in VB6 contributed to the foundation that makes modern web development possible.