QBASIC with an Introduction to Visual BASIC 5.0 (4th Edition) [Textbook Binding]

David I. Schneider (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0139738762 | ISBN-13: 978-0139738760 | Publication Date: August 6, 1998 | Edition: 4th

This introduction to Basic language programming using QBasic and Visual Basic has—through three previous editions—successfully taught readers the fundamentals of programming from the ground up, using the simplicity and clarity of QBasic to illustrate problem-solving techniques and structured programming. Designed for use with the IBM-PC and its compatibles, the book presents the fundamentals of computer programming, such as input, decision structures, and loop structures.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This text has successfully taught students the fundamentals of programming, from the ground up, using the simplicity and clarity of QBasic to illustrate problem-solving techniques and structured programming. Now QBasic and Visual Basic: An Introduction to Structured Programming, Third Edition, brings an entirely new dimension to the basic programming course--by introducing students to the use of objects and to event-driven programming in Visual Basic. Designed for use with the IBM-PC and its compatibles, the text presents the fundamentals of computer programming, such as input, decision structures, and loop structures. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

This introduction to Basic language programming using QBasic and Visual Basic has—through three previous editions—successfully taught readers the fundamentals of programming from the ground up, using the simplicity and clarity of QBasic to illustrate problem-solving techniques and structured programming. Designed for use with the IBM-PC and its compatibles, the book presents the fundamentals of computer programming, such as input, decision structures, and loop structures.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 644 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4th edition (August 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0139738762
• ISBN-13: 978-0139738760
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,566,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for understanding the connection between Q&VBasic., February 19, 1999

By 

William A Bradnan - See all my reviews

This review is from: QBASIC with an Introduction to Visual BASIC 5.0 (4th Edition) (Textbook Binding)

The beginning student rarely understands the development of programming very well, and thus it's confusing trying to understand the connection between QBasic -- little used anymore -- and VBasic, which looks quite different, at least initially. This book dissolves the confusion.

QBasic remains important, because it is an excellent tool for learning the fundamentals of programming. But obviously VBasic is the more useful state-of-the-art tool. Thus, connecting the two is a very effective way to learn the "basics" and the subsequent development of programming techniques.

The book is clear and concise, uses nice examples and exercises, and is well-organized and thought out. I would recommend it very highly as an introductory programming text.

Dr. William A. Bradnan

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lets one appreciate ease of programming today, July 8, 2000

By 

Brian Bosh "Programmer" (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: QBASIC with an Introduction to Visual BASIC 5.0 (4th Edition) (Textbook Binding)

I am a fairly expierenced programmer, but I decided to take a look at this book anyway.

Nearly 5 years ago, Vol 1 introduced me to VB. Everyone told me that QBasic (A language known as Structured) was dead, and to learn Visual Basic (Known as Object Oriented Programming) instead. I tried and tried, but I could not grasp Visual Basic. I came accross this book, which introduced QBasic to me. It did it clearly, which is an acomplishment is itself. Best of all, it let me learn VB and QBasic, which I still use to this day.

On to this volume. Since QB hasn't changed since '91, the QB section has grown in detail. Many advanced elements are introduced, like machine language and controlling memmory. Also, the so called "DOS API" is demystifided.

The VB code is not quite as great. Much of the time consuming QB code like PRINT and INPUT is now gone in VB, replaced by 2 mouse actions. The bulk of this section is re-explaining QB information, which becomes redudant. The Windows API is briefly introduced, but not expanded upon. If you need detailed, advanced VB information, look elsewhere. The bridge is made and is effective, but certain necessary skills are not made in the VB section.

The book comes with VB on CD, but be warned. It is a fully functional copy of VB, minus the ability to make EXEs. The reason Microsoft made this available was to further there new Active-X controls Internet market. Besides that, VB5CCE (what is included on this disk) can be downloaded as a 9.5MB file from [Microsoft]. having it on a CD is a nice convience though.

Despite redundancy and some oversimplification, this is a extremely valuable learning resource.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New to Programming?, March 31, 2005

By 

Ir Tee Horng Hean (Alam Jurutera Perunding S B, Klang, Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: QBASIC with an Introduction to Visual BASIC 5.0 (4th Edition) (Textbook Binding)

I have read the third edition of this book.
If you are new to programming, then this is a good book for you.
This book starts off with the introduction to computers such as the definition of personal computer, how one communicates with the computer, how computers perform complicated tasks, etc. Then the user interface of QBASIC is shown, explaining the use of the Menu Bar, Title Bar, View Window, etc. Some basic DOS commands are also presented and the biographical history of computing is also discussed.

A chapter is then devoted to Problem Solving. In this chapter, the use of flowcharts (a very useful programming tool) is introduced.

The rest of the chapters discuss topics like

-Numbers - addition, subtraction, division, etc.
-Scientific notation - how some large and very small numbers are presented.
-Variables
-Print and LPrint
-Strings - Concatenation of strings, ASCII Tables, LEFT$, RIGHT$, MID$, UCASE$, LEN, INSTR,
-Data Input - READ and DATA Statements together with RESTORE, INPUT
-REM - The use of the REMark Statement
-PRINT Statement - Screen Placement and Formatting, PRINT USING, Output to the Printer,

-Subprograms - How variables and expressions are passed, passing values from subprograms to the main body,
-Functions - INT, CHR$, LEN, MID$, INSTR

-Decisions -=, <>, >, <, <= and >=, IF-THEN-ELSE, ELSE IF, SELECT CASE,

Repetition - This chapter discusses Do Loops, how one can process data in a list format with Do Loops, Nested Loops, Flags i.e. a variable to keep track of whether certain event has occurred, FOR...Next Loops and finally a case study on developing a menu-driven program to analyse loan is presented.

Arrays are then discussed in the next chapter. Some applications of arrays such as the Bubble sort and the Shell Sort are discussed in this chapter. Sequential search and Binary search are also discussed. Two-Dimensional Arrays are also presented.

Chapter 8 deals with Sequential files. The WRITE command is introduced. Sorting and merging of sequential files are also presented.

Chapter 9 deals with Random Access Files

Chapter 10 deals with graphical display of data. Commands such as SCREEN, LINE, and WINDOW are presented. The constructions of line charts, bar charts and pie charts are also discussed.

The final chapter introduces Visual Basic. This book comes with a Disk. Contained in the disk is the source code for all the examples in the text (so you don't have to type them). Also, a setup file for a "Not-Full"-Version of Visual Basic is contained in the disk.

Regards,
Tee Horng Hean
www.freesoftware.com.my