I want to learn visual basic... 2

[PalmStrike]

Because I am glutton for punnishment, before anyone asks, but don't know where to start. I take it I need a compiler, but don't know where to go to find one.

I might add, that I am not keen to pay for one, as this is my own spare time hobbie, and if worst comes to the worst, i will have to learn C instead, cos compilers are free on the net. I think visual basic would come in more usefull to me at the moment as an all purpose IT chap in a small company.

Any pointers please Programmer people?

 

[WheeDoggy]

Your best option is to check an open-source website like:

http://www.sourceforge.net

You might also turn up something if you search Google for
"free vb compiler"

rgds
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<cf_objWheeDoggy BloodPressure=&quot;340%&quot;>
</cfif>

 

[Tarwn]

Another possibility is learning VBA by using the built in VB ability of office products like excel. This is not strictly VB but the differences between VB for applications and standalone VB are less noticeable when your starting from scratch then if you already had a great deal of experience with one or the other.

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[HobbitK]

PalmStrike..
Nothing in life worth having is free. IF you are desiring a fairly straight forward programming language to learn that can do almost everything and has a rather mild learning curve, then VB is the way to go. NO it is NOT free.
To my knowledge a compiler is a program that takes written code and turns it into an Executable program. Yet without the Visual C++ program, how do you intend on verifying the syntax of your code? Or place a control on a form? The same holds true for VB.
Personally, I would spend the money and purchase VB Enterprise Edition (if you can afford it), get a good book on VB6, preferably NOT one the MicrosoftPress books, and jump into learning and doing. The rewards will soon follow.
Have you looked into the cost of the various editions of VB or C++? I cannot recall what I paid for it, but it was not an outlandish amount.
HTH
Michael

 

[dragnut]

The on-line auction sites usually have vb really cheap

 

[PalmStrike]

I like this idea Tarwn, as this is my imediate reason for learning, I can go deeper into it at a later time if t suits me. I'm just a network and helpdesk guy at the moment.
thanks.

I shall carry on with C for the moment, as borland do a free compiler.

Just to clear something up, I am not a free loader, I spent 3000 trying to program &quot;C&quot; with one company, and due to my circumstances at the time, i.e. migrains, I was unable to complete the course, and they would not refund on medical grounds, so I have paid my dues for the moment I think. I just don't want to pay more to find out that the migrains come back the minute I try to start programming again.

 

[exoticspice]

Yes, you can get Visual Basic FREE from Microsoft as a download. Use this link:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/downloads/tools/cce/default.asp

This is version 5.0 Control Creation Edition. Be sure to download the help files and documentation also. This is crucial information for beginners. This compiler should be more than adequate for a beginner.

 

[PalmStrike]

Thanks exoticspice, you're a star, here, have another.

I look forward to many evenings contemplating throwing my computer out of the window!!

 

[zemp]

You can also check out some of the free VB tutorials on the net. Try

http://www.freeskills.com,

http://www,tutorialfind.com/tutorials,

http://www.juicystudio.com/tutorials.html,

http://www.1perlstreet.com/vb/Tutorial/default.asp?lngWId=1.

You can find ADO tutorials at

http://www.w3schools.com

and at

http://www.galahtech.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=32.

Thanks and Good Luck!

zemp

 

[atruhoo]

Some books come with a student or working model of VB6. You are only able to build Standard EXE projects, but it is free and comes with a resource book to boot. Just another option.

Richard

 

[TheTuna]

Id like to interject something as well...

One of the most elementary things you're going to need to understand, but is sometimes neglected or difficult to realize is this:

In VB, you should think in terms of &quot;OBJECTS&quot;

Every Object has the following:

Properties - (describes it: for example, COLOR)
Methods - (what it does: for example, Print)
Events - (what can happen to it: for example, Click)

Once you grasp this, the development process seems more natural and should seem a lot less difficult.

Try to apply this to the real world and you'll see why I say it becomes &quot;natural&quot;. Imagine a pencil... it's an object. The object (pencil) has some properties:

The pencil's color is &quot;Yellow&quot; or:
pencil.color = Yellow

The pencil's has an eraser, or:
Pencil.Eraser = True

The pencil is not currently sharpened, or:
Pencil.Sharpened = False

The pencil is used to perform a few simple tasks, such as drawing and writing, or: Examples of METHODS

You write a letter to Bob, telling him you quit your job as an automechanic, or:

Pencil.Write &quot;Bob, I quit, I don't want to work for you anymore because I'm now a software developer&quot;

Suppose you make a mistake, if the pencil has an eraser (which you determined by looking at the other end of the pencil), you use it to rub out the mistake.

If pencil.eraser = true then Pencil.Erase &quot;I quit&quot;

Now you replace the erased words by re-writing those words the way you intended...

Pencil.write &quot;I QUIT!&quot;

ok, I think you get the point of methods... but one more example...

You also want to draw a mad face on the letter, to signify your displeasure with Bob as a person, so:

Pencil.draw (a circle)
Pencil.draw (two eyes)
Pencil.draw (frowning mouth)

And for the events...

Events are things that can happen to the object (pencil)...

Like, laying down the pencil
or, picking up the pencil.

Obviously, you cannot use the pencil's write or draw capabilities (methods) without first picking up the pencil (an event that happens to the pencil), at which time it is no longer available to be picked up, and you can apply it's drawing capabilities... Then, when you lay the pencil down, it becomes available: See below:

Pencil_Pickup
Pencil.Available = False
Pencil.draw (a circle)
Pencil.draw (two eyes)
Pencil.draw (frowning mouth)
End Pickup

Pencil_Laydown
pencil.available = True
End Laydown

What other objects were involved in this little example?

Many, lets name some of them:

Paper (assumed in this example, since we didn't specify it)
User (that would be you, and you have properties, methods and events as well... you are an object!)

What about the mad face you drew using the draw method? Yep! It's an object!

See how easy it is?

To write, we do the same thing with VB...

Label1.caption = &quot;Hello!&quot;

Label1 is the object
One of its properties is caption

We assigned the value &quot;Hello!&quot; to the property of the label.

The caption property changed, which is an event!

I hope this helps, if even just a little.
No Dolphins were harmed in the posting of this message... Dolphin Friendly Tuna!

 

[Shift838]

Also, I have found that various VB books you purchase do not have many of the vb functions refererenced. However I have found the following to be the most concise compiled VB commands (reference) you can find. These books are published by Microsoft Press :

Visual Basic 6.0 Reference Library (3 books)
Visual Basic 6.0 Programmers Guide

 

[TheTuna]

Chris77504... that number looks like a zip code to me... I wonder if you are the Chris I'm thinking you are.

If it's you, are you back from Longhornland?

No Dolphins were harmed in the posting of this message... Dolphin Friendly Tuna!