Can I open a VB.net 2003 project using VB.net 2002?

[kev1_mc]

if you create a project in vb.net 2003, can it opened in vb.net 2002?

[leoandru]

if you create a project in vb.net 2003, can it opened in vb.net 2002?

no but it can be easily hacked by hand.. The project/sloution file (.sln) file is an xml file that specifys the version of visual studio used to create the project. in 2k2 the version is 7.0 in 2k3 its 7.1. If you swicth the versions and save the xml file it will load in 2002 but I'm not sure If everything will work out fine I just know the hack works. 2k2 projects files are automatically converted to 2k3 when opened in the newer version. There are also tools that will do a proper conversion for you, just search for them.

[leoandru]

OK.. I just did the search for you here is a free tool.

http://www.codeproject.com/macro/vsconvert.asp

So, you may ask, "How did you know how to convert the project files?" Here is a step-by-step description of the changes that happen when you convert a project from VS 7.1 to VS 7.0.

1. In SLN files, the 8.0 must be replaced with 7.0.
2. In vcproj files (and only vcproj), the 7.10 part must be replaced by 7.0. Note: The <References> portion of MC++ projects will be incompatible with VS.NET 2002 since it uses #using statements from 'stdafx.h'.
3. In VB.NET or C# project files, 7.10.3077 is replaced with 7.0.9466.
4. Also in VB.NET and C# projects, the schema version 2.0 should be replaced with 1.0.
5. In RESX files, the types declared are 1.0.5000 and must be replaced with 1.0.3300.
6. Again, in RESX files (binary streams), the base-64 encoded part that describes the version of the stream must also change from LjAuNTAw to LjAuMzMw (basically base-64-encoded versions of 1.0.5000 and 1.0.3300 respectively)

To convert from VS.NET 2002 to VS.NET 2003, just apply this process backwards.

[crosswire]

I found this app useful.

[keroed1]

OK.. I just did the search for you here is a free tool.

http://www.codeproject.com/macro/vsconvert.asp

thanks just downloaded the software.............. will be using it to converting my software

[kev1_mc]

thanx leo. keroed1, mek sure u keep the installation file and send on