Debugging, troubleshooting, optimizing old applications written in Microsoft Visual Basic ver. 5 or ver. 6
VB6 Legacy Expertise
With over 25 years of hands-on experience in Visual Basic 6, I’ve built and maintained enterprise-grade applications across legal, printing, and administrative domains. My core systems—LawSmith (legal document automation), PrintOffice (print job management), and DocumentSmith (document lifecycle management)—are still actively supported and evolving.
These applications span 50+ database tables and 100+ reports, integrating seamlessly with SQL Server, Access, and Crystal Reports. I’ve engineered dynamic form logic, custom report engines, COM-based integrations, and automated file system workflows. My codebase emphasizes maintainability, with modular architecture and clear separation of concerns to support long-term stability and extensibility.
Troubleshooting Legacy Systems
Troubleshooting is not just a skill—it’s a passion. I specialize in reverse-engineering undocumented VB6 systems, diagnosing obscure bugs, and restoring fragile environments to full functionality.
• LawSmith: I untangled deeply nested clause logic and jurisdictional rules buried in legacy code, refactoring it into a transparent, reliable structure.
• PrintOffice: I resolved complex issues involving printer APIs, barcode rendering, and Crystal Report failures.
• DocumentSmith: I tackled file system conflicts, versioning bugs, and workflow breakdowns—all without formal documentation.
My approach is methodical: isolate the issue, trace dependencies, and use diagnostic tools to pinpoint root causes. I work independently, navigate legacy quirks with patience, and restore stability with minimal disruption. Whether it’s build errors, runtime crashes, or data inconsistencies, I bring a calm, strategic mindset to every challenge.
Key Technical Wins
DLL and COM Registration Conflicts
In PrintOffice, Crystal Reports and barcode components failed due to misregistered DLLs. I manually traced dependencies, re-registered COM components, and created a deployment checklist to prevent recurrence—classic VB6 problem-solving requiring deep Windows integration knowledge.
Database Connectivity Failures
DocumentSmith suffered intermittent SQL Server connection errors. I discovered inconsistent connection strings across modules and implemented fallback logic with retry mechanisms. This stabilized the system and eliminated random failures, proving how small inconsistencies can cause major disruptions.
Undocumented Business Logic Bugs
LawSmith’s clause insertion logic was buried in undocumented, nested VB6 modules. I reverse-engineered the code, mapped dependencies, and refactored the logic for clarity and reliability—transforming a fragile system into a maintainable one.
Crystal Reports Crashes and Blank Outputs
PrintOffice reports were crashing or rendering blank due to outdated field mappings and missing parameters.
File System Integration Failures