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Getting started
Welcome to the exciting world of Visual Basic programming. This chapter introduces the Visual Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and shows you how to create a real Windows application.
Introducing Visual Basic
Installing Visual Studio
Exploring the IDE
Starting a new project
Adding a visual control
Adding functional code
Saving projects
Reopening projects
Summary
Introducing Visual Basic
In choosing to start programming with Visual Basic you have made an excellent choice – the Visual Basic programming language offers the easiest way to write programs for Windows. This means you can easily create your own programs to give maximum control over your computer and automate your work to be more productive. Also, programming with Visual Basic is fun!
Like other programming languages, Visual Basic comprises a number of significant “keywords” and a set of syntax rules. Beginners often find its syntax simpler than other programming languages, making Visual Basic a popular first choice to learn.
Although writing programs can be complex, Visual Basic makes it easy to get started. You can choose how far to go. Another advantage of Visual Basic is that it works with Microsoft Office applications and with the Windows Script Host within the Windows operating system – so the possibilities are immense...
•Visual Basic (VB) – quite simply the best programming language for the novice or hobbyist to begin creating their own standalone Windows applications, fast.
•Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) – an implementation of Visual Basic that is built into all Microsoft Office applications. It runs within a host rather than as a standalone application.
•Visual Basic Script (VBScript) – a derivative of Visual Basic that can be used for Windows scripting.
The evolution of Visual Basic
•Visual Basic 1.0 released in May 1991 at the Comdex trade show in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
•Visual Basic 2.0 released in November 1992 – introducing an easier and faster programming environment.
•Visual Basic 3.0 released in the summer of 1993 – introducing the Microsoft Jet Database Engine for database programs.
•Visual Basic 4.0 released in August 1995 – introducing support for controls based on the Component Object Model (COM).
•Visual Basic 5.0 released in February 1997 – introducing the ability to create custom user controls.
•Visual Basic 6.0 released in the summer of 1998 – introducing the ability to create web-based programs. This hugely popular edition is the final version based on COM and is often referred to today as “Classic Visual Basic”.
•Visual Basic 7.0 (also known as Visual Basic .NET) released in 2002 – introducing a very different...
