Learn Visual Basic 6.0 is a 10 week, self-paced overview of the Visual Basic programming language and environment. Upon completion of the course, you will:
1. Understand the benefits of using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 as an application development tool.
2. Understand the Visual Basic event-driven programming concepts, terminology, and available tools.
3. Learn the fundamentals of designing, implementing, and distributing a wide variety of Visual Basic applications.
Learn Visual Basic 6.0 is presented using a combination of course notes (written in Microsoft Word format) and over 60 Visual Basic examples and applications.
Course Prerequisites:
To grasp the concepts presented in Learn Visual Basic 6.0, you should possess a working knowledge of Windows 95 and have had some exposure to programming concepts. If you have never programmed a computer before, you'll have to put in a little more effort - perhaps, find a book in your local library on programming using QBasic or some other dialect of the Basic computer language.
You will also need the ability to view and print documents saved in Microsoft Word for Windows 95 format. This can be accomplished in one of two ways. The first, and easiest, is that you already have Microsoft Word for Windows 95 on your computer. The second way, and a bit more difficult, is that you can download Word Viewer for Windows 95. This is a free Microsoft product that allows viewing Word documents - it is available for download at all the major shareware internet sites (ZDNet, Download.Com, SoftSeek).
Finally, and most obvious, you need to have Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, preferably the Professional Edition. Learn Visual Basic 6.0 does not cover the rudiments of navigating in Visual Basic 6.0. You should be familiar with the simple tasks of using the menus, the toolbar, resizing windows, and moving windows around. Visual Basic 6.0 provides an excellent tutorial with instruction on such tasks.
Installing Learn Visual Basic 6.0:
The course notes and code for Learn Visual Basic 6.0 are included in one single ZIP file. Use your favorite 'unzipping' application to write all files to your computer. The course is included in the folder entitled LearnVB6-SW. This folder contains two other folders: VB Notes and VB Code.
The VB Notes folder includes all the notes needed for the class. Each file in this folder has a DOC extension and is in Word for Windows 95 format. The files are:
Start Here.doc This file in Word format
Contents.doc Course Table of Contents
Class 1.doc Class 1. Introduction to the Visual Basic Language and Environment
Class 2.doc Class 2. The Visual Basic Language
Class 3.doc Class 3. Exploring the Visual Basic Toolbox
Class 4.doc Class 4. More Exploration of the Visual Basic Toolbox
Class 5.doc* Class 5. Creating a Stand-Alone Visual Basic Application
Class 6.doc* Class 6. Error-Handling, Debugging and File Input/Output
Class 7.doc* Class 7. Graphics Techniques with Visual Basic
Class 8.doc* Class 8. Database Access and Management
Class 9.doc* Class 9. Dynamic Link Libraries and the Windows API
Class 10.doc* Class 10. Other Visual Basic Topics
Appendix I.doc Appendix I. Visual Basic Symbolic Constants
Appendix II.doc Appendix II. Common Dialog Box Constants
(Files marked with a * are not included in the shareware version.) The VB Code folder includes all the Visual Basic applications developed during the course. The applications are further divided into Class folders.
How To Take the Course:
Learn Visual Basic 6.0 is a self-paced course. The suggested approach is to do one class a week for ten weeks. Each week's class should require about 4 to 8 hours of your time to grasp the concepts completely. Prior to doing a particular week's work, open the class notes file for that week and print it out. Then, work through the notes at your own pace. Try to do each example as they are encountered in the notes. If you need any help, all solved examples are included in the VB Code folder. After completing each week's notes, a homework exercise is given, covering many of the topics taught that week. Like the examples, try to work through the homework exercise, or some variation thereof, on your own. Refer to the completed project in the VB Code folder, if necessary.
What If You Have Questions?
It is recognized there may be times when you need clarification on some point about the notes, examples, or Visual Basic. We will gladly help. The preferred method of relaying your questions to us is via E-Mail. The E-Mail address is:
KIDware@jetcity.com
Please include a clearly defined subject for all questions to get past our anti-spamming filters. All questions should be sent to the attention of Lou.
Who Produces Learn Visual Basic 6.0?
This course has been developed by Lou Tylee, a partner in KIDware, a producer of quality children's educational programs for over 15 years. The course notes have evolved based on Lou's experience in writing children's software and in teaching a similar course at the university level for over four years. KIDware may be contacted via:
KIDware
15600 NE 8th, Suite B1-314
Bellevue, WA 98008
(206) 721-2556
FAX (425) 746-4655
E-Mail: KIDware@jetcity.com
Web Site: http://www.jetcity.com/~kidware
Shareware Version of Learn Visual Basic 6.0
Learn Visual Basic 6.0 is distributed under the shareware concept. You get to try the course free-of-charge. If you find it doesn't meet your needs, simple erase the files from your computer. If, however, you find the course useful, you are asked to pay for it. The current registration fee is US$19.95 (shipping included). The shareware version includes the first four weeks of the course. Upon registration, you will be sent the complete 10 week course, with all notes and all applications. Examine the Contents.doc file to get a flavor for what each week's class entails.
To register your version of Learn Visual Basic 6.0, simply fill in the form on the next page and mail or FAX it to KIDware. A portion of all registration fees is donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
REGISTRATION FORM - LEARN VISUAL BASIC 6.0, VERSION 1.0
LEARN VISUAL BASIC 6.0 is offered as shareware. This means you get to try the course free of charge. If you use the course, however, you are asked to pay for it. The registration fee is just $19.95 (add $1.70 sales tax if resident of Washington and $2.00 postage if outside the US or Canada). Upon receipt of your registration fee, you will be sent the complete 10 week course, with all notes and code. A portion of the fee is donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. All information on this form will only be used by KIDware.
Name ___________________________________________________
