Learn to Program Visual Basic Objects [Paperback]

John Smiley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001 | Series: Learn to Program

This book clarifies everything you'll need to know about objects and object-oriented programming (OOP). John Smiley carefully explains practical OOP principles without assuming a level of experience the beginning programmer may not have. This is the only book to give you an opportunity for interactive conversatoins with the VB guru. Framed in a fictional classroom, Smiley offers solutions to the most commonly posed OOP questions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Smiley has been programming and teaching for over 20 years. He is the president of John Smiley and Associates, a computer consulting firm which serves clients in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. He teaches computer science at Penn State University, the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, Holy Family College, and he currently teaches popular online courses on SmartPlanet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 661 pages
• Publisher: Muska & Lipman/Premier-Trade; 1 edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929685165
• ISBN-13: 978-1929685165
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,541,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I live just outside of Philadelphia, Pa. I am the president of my own Computer consulting firm, Smiley and Associates, and I provide computer services to companies both large and small in the surrounding Philadelphia Metropolitan area.'Currently, I am working on a long term contract programming position doing mostly Visual Basic work, but also some JavaScript and Oracle Database work.

Over the years, my consulting contracts have included contract positions as a Systems Analyst, Mainframe IDMS Database Administrator, Oracle Database Administrator, Network LAN Administrator, UNIX Systems Administrator, and programming positions using these languages: COBOL, C, C++, Java, and Visual Basic (my personal favorite).'

In addition to my work in the computer industry, I love to share my knowledge, and so for the last twenty years I have taught Computer Science at several Philadelphia area colleges and universities---I truly love to teach.

In 1998, I wrote an introductory Visual Basic programming book, and since then, have written others on Visual Basic, VB.Net, C#, Java and C++, and I'm currently working on a book on JavaScript. Writing books is just another way I have found to share my knowledge. In connection with my books, I have also appeared twice on TechTV's Cable show ScreenSavers. Also, my Java book was used as a plot vehicle in one of the episodes of HBO's Sopranos fourth season--which was very exciting!

I enjoy sports of all kind, and have participated in the MS150, which is a two day, 150 mile bike ride from Philadelphia to Ocean City, NJ, whose proceeds will, hopefully, cure Multiple Sclerosis. Two years ago, I started running again, and have recently completed several 5K, 8K and 5 mile races.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you are a beginer GREAT if you are more advanced...ehh..., September 11, 2000

By 

selffate "invigorating genius" (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn to Program Objects With Visual Basic 6 (Paperback)

I give this book a good rating for what it is. This book is basicaly an INTRO book in how to code with objects in VB and an introductory to some OOP concepts.

This books strong points are the following:

1. It is very easy to follow 2. It is CHEAP 3. The examples are concise and make for easy understanding 4. The author PUMMELS the concepts in your head until YOU GET IT (which by the way he does excellently) 5. There are virtually no errors in this book (most of them are spelling errors in the prose) and that is RARE in a computer book.

So for this reason it is quite good. Now what's bad

1. Filled with lots of scenic padding (you know what I mean if you've read it!) 2. Examples are very small 3. Could contain LOTS more (such as COM ) 4. This project is WAY to small. I only WISH in the years of my experience with VB projects that an application would be this small and simple... No way...

However the reasons it lacks through the above, is because this was not what the author was achieving for, and not the audience he was reaching out to.

The book says it is for the Begginer to Intermediate level. I would say this book is STRICTLY beginerish in fact it is even intro. Intermediate and advanced programmers (ecspecialy those who have worked in VB) will find this book too laid back, and over simplified (You'll be sitting there saying 'OK I get it now, show me something more involved [this is what I was saying]'). It's as if the other students in the class are holding you back because of their skill level.

I bought this book because I have worked with VB for some time but never forced myself to learn its classes. This has to do mostly for 2 reasons. One, I have been able to achieve everything I need without it. Two, Vb is NOT a true object oriented language. I learned all about OOP in school programming with C++ and some Powerbuilder. Thus if I was going to do OOP I would not use VB. Also this book had very good reviews. I have noticed that most of the people who gave favourable reviews about the book with high praise, were virtualy in love with the author and worked from all his other books. This book though did what it needed to do for me, but it took way too much time to do it cause of all the padding. But it is good cause Smiley hammers the concepts until you get IT! Like one reviewer said, "If you don't get OOP [in a VB context] from this book there is no hope for you". No doubt!

A lot of the stuff for me, was just un-locking all that old stuff I had burried in the back of my skull from years ago at school, and recognizing the VB syntax for its classes.

But the stuff is GOOD and the book is VERY usefull. It's just a little too theory based to. What Smiley hints about the real world [regarding application development] is all good BUT when you hit the cement for awhile you really start seeing what it takes to make an app get in [politics etc..] and all the other B.S. that throws everything you learned in school OUT THE WINDOW!!

This book is perfect for someone who is either learning to program (meaning they have had NO formal training in it) and is using VB but hasn't learned classes yet.

This book is NOT for people who no nothing about programming. You will probably have a hard time with it. Also if you are VB experienced and know some OOP this book is missing MEAT!! and it is NOT for you either. You will get good stuff from it, but you will want more..

So that's my final thoughts to summarize this one. EXCELLENT if you are new to VB and want to learn it's OOP, LACKING if you are an advanced VB programmer (or advanced programmer in general). The rating reflects the book for what it is: 4 out of 5.

Also if your really interested in doing OOP, learn a true OO language like C++ or Java.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Smiley Does it again!, February 6, 2000

By 

Richard Smith (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learn to Program Objects With Visual Basic 6 (Paperback)

Professor John Smiley has done it again! His new book "Learn to Program Objects With Visual Basic" is another five star publication for those, beginner - intermediate and even advanced, Visual Basic Programmers wanting to learn about Object Oriented Programming (OOP). Both, my wife and I thoroughly enjoy learning about VB Programming via John's unique style of writing and his sence of humor. He takes what is normally very technical & dry content and, by simulating an actual college class environment, maintains your interest through dialog between the Teacher and Students in the class. He has a way of explaining not only the theory (why's), but also the practical application "how's" of VB by assisting his "Class" develop and update a "Real World" application. I have purchased, read, and learned from all of John's books on Visual Basic Programming and am looking forward to learning more from his future writings. This book is a must for any one wishing to learn about Object Oriented Programming. What more can I say except experience a true 5 Star author by purchasing one or all of his books, And enjoy watching his students as they learn to program from a Master.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to objects, just make sure you have the time, June 23, 2000

By 

JRK "jkunz" (N.H.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learn to Program Objects With Visual Basic 6 (Paperback)

NOTE: Beginner's book!, even though this is the "second" related book by this author.

This book gives the reader a great introduction to object oriented programming in Visual Basic. It will help you to realize that if you've programmed the basics in Visual Basic (perhaps with John Smiley's first book), objects really aren't that much harder than what you've been doing. It's just a different approach.

All programming books should concentrate on having the reader do examples. The author makes sure of that. He works on taking a normal, working Visual Basic project and redoing it as object-oriented. The CD includes the files from the old project and you re-program it object-oriented as you step through the lessons. There are chapters on Collection objects, manipulating Excel and Word by using VB OOP, and creating ActiveX components.

The book is almost 700 pages because the author uses a "classroom" dialog. He was attempting to do two things: put it in a classroom-simulated situation and keep it an enjoyable read (unheard of with programming books) with comments from the class. I like the idea, but the comments get tiresome, adding extra fluff not needed in the book.

I had to get this book because of the rave reviews and because I wanted to advance my knowledge of Visual Basic. The book really takes off in the later chapters, just maintain the same patience you'd have if you were sitting in a classroom and had to listen to other people speak up.