Convert CSharp source code to VB.NET source code

Occasionally you search for code samples or code snippets for a specific problem with the search engines. Usually you do find a code snippet but it is written in a "wrong" language, most notably with C#. Then you face the problem, how to convert C# code to VB.NET code. Of course, you can do it manually if you're CSharp literate.

Fortunately there are a few options to translate C# source code to VB.NET automatically and for free. Translators can be divided in two categories, web-based translators and applications that are capable to do the conversion. The pros of the web-based translators are obvious, you don't need to install any additional applications to your computer.

There are a few things to remember when using .NET code translators. Although the original source code might be fully tested, you need to re-test the translated code. There's always some code which can't be translated, at least correctly.

Here's a few rules of thumb to get most of the code converters. Do not try to translate a whole application. The result may be hard to test and the resulted source code may be more or less spaghetti style code. Keep it simple, translate only code snippets or one class at a time.

Finally, code translators usually work in both ways i.e. they translate from CSharp to VB.NET as well as from VB.NET to CSharp.

Web-based CSharp to VB.NET converters

http://www.carlosag.net/Tools/CodeTranslator/ is an on-line translator by Carlos Mares. Supported translations are C# -> VB.NET and VB.NET -> C#. As usually, the code is pasted in the text box and then you press Go-button. The translated code is replaced in the text box. Extra option is to upload a whole file to be translated.

http://www.developerfusion.com/tools/convert/csharp-to-vb/ is an on-line translator by Developer Fusion Ltd. Supported translations are C# -> VB.NET and VB.NET -> C#. Also .NET 3.5 syntax is supported. Extra feature is automatically copy result to clipboard. Developer Fusion's translator gives accurate information if the original source has error. It also gives information about the code parts that are not supported in the target language and thus are not possible to translate.

http://converter.telerik.com/ is an on-line translator by Telerik. Supported translations are C# -> VB.NET and VB.NET -> C#. Like Developer Fusion's translator, this translator gives accurate information if the original source has error. Translator also gives information about the code parts that are not supported in the target language and thus are not possible to translate.

A good list of translators, both free and commercial, can be found on Converting code between .NET programming languages
Converters mentioned above are just samples, new converts seem to arise in the net almost daily.

CSharp to VB.NET converter applications

SharpDevelop (http://www.sharpdevelop.net/) is actually an IDE for .NET programming. In the Tools-menu you'll find "Covert code to"-option. Supported translations are C# -> VB.NET, VB.NET -> C# and a conversions to a bit exotic Boo-language. As you can expect, you'll get messages from syntax errors in the original code. Also code parts that are not supported in the target language are marked with comments. Current SharpDevelop version is 2.2, but version 3.0 is in the beta phase and it will propably support .NET 3.5 syntax.

.NET Reflector (http://www.red-gate.com/products/reflector/) is a tool to view, navigate, and search through, the class hierarchies of .NET assemblies. .NET Reflector was originally programmed by Lutz Roeder but Red Gate Software Ltd. acquired it this year. They still offer a free version of it. Since Reflector handles assemblies rather than source code, it supports quite wide range of conversions. Easiest way to convert from the assembly to source code, is to use a suitable plug-in for the Reflector. In the case of VB.NET conversion, Denis Bauer has a great plug-in for this www.denisbauer.com/NETTools/FileDisassembler.aspx. Supported conversions i.e. source languages generated with this plug-in are C#, Visual Basic and Delphi. Latest version is 5.0.42.0 and it was published in 2007 so there's no .NET 3.5 support.

Which CSharp to VB.NET source code converter to choose from?

My personal favorite is Developer Fusion's translator since I convert often and small C# snippets to VB.NET. I've always got the job done with it and it's fast to use. However, take a look at the other converters too. You may find a more suitable for your needs.