Lesson 34: Creating an FTP Program in VB6
Build a custom FTP client using the Microsoft Internet Transfer Control
Lesson Overview
Key Takeaway
VB6 allows you to create a fully functional FTP client using the Microsoft Internet Transfer Control with minimal coding.
Welcome to Lesson 34 of our Visual Basic 6 Tutorial! In this lesson, you'll learn how to create your own FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client using VB6. This powerful tool enables file transfers between computers over the Internet, perfect for website management or downloading files from FTP servers.
34.1 Understanding FTP
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It's a system for transferring files between two computers connected by the Internet. One computer acts as the server, while the other is the client.
Web Management
Webmasters use FTP to upload files to web servers for website updates
File Downloads
Download free software, games, tools and utilities from FTP sites
Authentication
Use username/password or "anonymous" for public access
34.2 The Microsoft Internet Transfer Control
The engine behind our FTP program is the Microsoft Internet Transfer Control 6.0 (Inet control). To use it:
1Add Control
Press Ctrl+T to open components, select Microsoft Internet Transfer Control 6.0
2Insert Control
Drag the Inet control to your form (default name: Inet1)
3Configure Properties
Set URL, UserName and Password properties
Essential Properties
The Inet control has three crucial properties:
' Set FTP hostname Inet1.URL = Text1.Text ' Set username Inet1.UserName = Text2.Text ' Set password Inet1.Password = Text3.Text
34.3 Establishing Connection
After setting properties, connect to the server using the Execute method:
' Connect and list directory contents Inet1.Execute, "DIR" ' Download a file Inet1.Execute, , "get" & remotefile & localfile
Important
Use the full local path for file downloads to ensure files are saved correctly:
Inet1.Execute, , "get" & remotefile & localpath & remotefile
34.4 Handling State Changes
Monitor connection status using the StateChanged event and state constants:
| Constant | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| icHostResolvingHost | 1 | Looking up IP address of host computer |
| icHostResolved | 2 | Successfully found IP address |
| icConnecting | 3 | Connecting to host computer |
| icConnected | 4 | Successfully connected |
| icRequesting | 5 | Sending request to host |
| icRequestSent | 6 | Successfully sent request |
| icReceivingResponse | 7 | Receiving response from host |
| icResponseReceived | 8 | Successfully received response |
| icDisconnecting | 9 | Disconnecting from host |
| icDisconnected | 10 | Successfully disconnected |
| icError | 11 | Error in communication |
| icResponseCompleted | 12 | Request completed, all data received |
StateChanged Event Code
Private Sub Inet1_StateChanged(ByVal State As Integer) Select Case State Case icError MsgBox Inet1.ResponseInfo, , "File failed to transfer" Case icResolvingHost Label6.Caption = "Resolving Host" Case icHostResolved Label6.Caption = "Host Resolved" Case icConnecting Label6.Caption = "Connecting Host" Case icConnected Label6.Caption = "Host connected" Case icReceivingResponse Label6.Caption = "Receiving Response" Case icResponseReceived Label6.Caption = "Got Response" Case icResponseCompleted Dim data1 As String Dim data2 As String MsgBox "Download Completed" End Select End Sub
34.5 Building the FTP Interface
The FTP program consists of two forms:
1Login Dialog
Accepts FTP address, username and password
2Main Form
Browse remote directories and download files
Login Dialog Interface
FTP Login
Login Dialog Code
Option Explicit Private Sub OKButton_Click() Inet1.URL = Text1.Text Inet1.UserName = Text2.Text Inet1.Password = Text3.Text Inet1.Execute , "DIR" Form1.Show Dialog.Hide End Sub Private Sub Inet1_StateChanged(ByVal State As Integer) Select Case State Case icError MsgBox Inet1.ResponseInfo, , "File failed to transfer" Case icResolvingHost Label6.Caption = "Resolving Host" Case icHostResolved Label6.Caption = "Host Resolved" Case icConnecting Label6.Caption = "Connecting Host" Case icConnected Label6.Caption = "Host connected" Case icReceivingResponse Label6.Caption = "Receiving Response" Case icResponseReceived Label6.Caption = "Got Response" Case icResponseCompleted Dim data As String Dim data1 As String MsgBox "Transfer Completed" data1 = Inet1.GetChunk(1024, icString) data = data & data1 Loop While Len(data1) <> 0 Form1.Text6.Text = data End Select End Sub Private Sub CancelButton_Click() Text1.Text = "" Text2.Text = "" Text3.Text = "" End Sub
Note
The statement data1 = Inet1.GetChunk(1024, icString) retrieves directory information from the remote server.
Main Form Interface
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, you've learned how to create a functional FTP client in VB6:
Internet Transfer Control
Use the Inet control for FTP capabilities
Connection Setup
Configure URL, username and password properties
State Management
Handle connection states with StateChanged event
File Transfer
Execute FTP commands like DIR and GET
Pro Tip
Enhance your FTP client with features like directory navigation, file uploads, and transfer progress indicators.
Next Lesson
Continue your VB6 journey with Lesson 35: Error Handling.
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