VBA vs VB.NET – turn bytes into bitmaps

So, recently working on some things, I have noticed the HUGE difference between VBA and VB.NET, specifically with turning bytes into bitmaps.. (assume GiveMeBytes() returns a byte array that is a bitmap)

VB.NET:

Dim image As Byte() = GiveMeBytes()
Dim memStream As MemoryStream = New MemoryStream(image)
Dim bitImage As Bitmap = New Bitmap(System.Drawing.Image.FromStream(memStream))

bitImage.Save(“C:test.bmp”)

VBA:

Dim image() As Byte
image = GiveMeBytes()

Dim bitImage

bitImage = FreeFile
Open “c:test.bmp” For Binary Access Write As bitImage
Put #bitImage, , image()
Close #bitImage

Now, maybe there is an easier way in VBA/VB6 to do it, but this is the way I learned way back in the day. I am sure you can do something with the FileSystemObject (I am guessing)..

You notice that the VB.NET snippet mostly deals with converting bytes to MemoryStream to Bitmap, and the saving is 1 line, whereas the VBA is really nothing with converting but mostly deals with saving the file. Can we get the best of both worlds? I am not sure, but I still like the .NET implementation better, it just seems “cleaner” to me, and the VBA just seems “dirty”, but they both do the same thing.. (notice in the VBA I didn’t strongly type the bitImage Dim)

In conclusion…”viva .NET!” 🙂