Lesson 33: Creating a Web Browser Application in VB6

Welcome to Lesson 33 of our Visual Basic 6 Tutorial! In this lesson, you'll learn how to create your own web browser application using VB6. This is an exciting project that demonstrates VB6's capabilities for integrating with web technologies.

33.1 Creating a Web Browser

If you're interested in creating your own web browser, Visual Basic 6 makes it surprisingly easy. Using the Microsoft Internet Control component, you can build a fully functional browser with navigation controls.

Setting Up the Browser Component

After adding the Microsoft Internet Control to your project:

The Microsoft Internet Control appears as a small globe in the toolbox. When you drag it to your form, it appears as a white rectangle that you can resize. By default, it's named WebBrowser1.

Browser Interface Design

For the browser interface, you'll need:

• A ComboBox to display URLs and allow user input
• Image controls for navigation buttons: Go, Back, Forward, Refresh, Home
• The WebBrowser control to display web content

Essential Code for Web Browser Functionality

The code for a basic browser is straightforward. Here are the key methods and events:

' Load homepage at startup
Private Sub Form_Load()
    WebBrowser1.Navigate("https://www.vbtutor.net")
End Sub

' Update URL and title when page loads
Private Sub WebBrowser1_DocumentComplete(ByVal pDisp As Object, URL As Variant)
    Combo1.Text = URL
    Form1.Caption = WebBrowser1.LocationName
    ' Add to URL history
    Combo1.AddItem URL
End Sub

' Show loading status
Private Sub WebBrowser1_DownloadBegin()
    Combo1.Text = "Page loading please wait..."
End Sub

' Navigate when user presses Enter in URL box
Private Sub Combo1_KeyPress(KeyAscii As Integer)
    If KeyAscii = vbKeyReturn Then
        WebBrowser1.Navigate Combo1.Text
    End If
End Sub
                        

Navigation Button Code

Here's how to implement the navigation buttons:

' Go Back
Private Sub cmdBack_Click()
    On Error Resume Next ' Ignore error if can't go back
    WebBrowser1.GoBack
End Sub

' Go Forward
Private Sub cmdForward_Click()
    On Error Resume Next
    WebBrowser1.GoForward
End Sub

' Refresh Page
Private Sub cmdRefresh_Click()
    WebBrowser1.Refresh
End Sub

' Go Home
Private Sub cmdHome_Click()
    WebBrowser1.GoHome
End Sub
                        

Next Lesson

Continue your VB6 journey with Lesson 34: Creating an FTP Program.

Visual Basic 6 Made Easy

by Dr. Liew Voon Kiong

The comprehensive guide to mastering VB6 development, including web browser creation with the Internet Control component.

What You'll Learn:

• WebBrowser control fundamentals
• Navigation methods and events
• Building a complete browser UI
• Handling web content
• Advanced browser features

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Visual Basic 2022 Made Easy

by Dr. Liew Voon Kiong

The modern guide to VB.NET programming with Visual Studio 2022. Master modern web integration techniques.

What You'll Learn:

• Modern WebBrowser control
• WebView2 integration
• Advanced web features
• Security considerations
• Professional UI design

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