If you have never done any programming before – if you are a complete novice – this book is for you. This book assumes no prior knowledge of programming. It starts from scratch. It is written in a simple, direct style for maximum clarity. It is aimed at first level students at universities and colleges, but it is also suitable for novices studying alone.
Visual Basic is arguably one of the best programming languages to learn and use in the 21st century because:
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Visual Basic is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world today.
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Object-oriented languages are the latest and most successful approach to programming. Visual Basic .NET is completely object-oriented from the ground up.
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Visual Basic is a completely general-purpose language. Anything that C++, Java, Ada etc. can do, so can Visual Basic.
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Visual Basic .NET is a simple language and most of its functionality is provided by pieces of program held in a comprehensive library.
We explain how to use objects early in this book. Our approach is to start with the ideas of variables, assignment and methods, then introduce using objects created from library classes. Next we explain how to use control structures for selection and looping. Then comes the treatment of how to write your own classes.
We wanted to make sure that the fun element of programming was paramount, so we use graphics right from the start. We think graphics is fun, interesting and clearly demonstrates all the important principles of programming. But we haven't ignored programs that input and output text – they are also included.
The programs we present use many of the features of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such as buttons, track bars and text boxes. But we also explain how to write console programs in Visual Basic .NET.
We introduce new ideas carefully, one at a time rather than all at once. So, for example, there is a single chapter on writing methods. We introduce simple ideas early and more sophisticated ideas later on.
About the Author
Douglas Bell is a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University in England. He teaches courses in programming and virtual reality. He is also a member of the Nafe board.
Mike Parr is also a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University in England. His interests are in programming languages and software engineering. As a hobby, Parr plays the guitar for the band, Famous Five.
