Visual Basic 6 from the Ground Up [Paperback]

Gary Cornell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0078825083 | ISBN-13: 978-0078825088 | Publication Date: September 1, 1998 | Edition: 1

This book helps you build bulletproof programs for Windows and the Internet! Visual Basic 6 has a lot to offer, from its new file handling objects and advanced Internet programming capabilities to its new database features. You can learn to build your own commercial-quality application - not just toy apps - using this comprehensive, hands-on tutorial from expert author Gary Cornell, winner of the prestigious Readers' Choice Award from "Visual Basic Programmer's" journal.This best-selling guide for the beginning and intermediate programmer has been thoroughly revised and updated to cover the newest version of the world's number 1 visual programming tool. Using modular, step-by-step instructions, you will: progress from elementary programming skills to marketable expertise; learn object-oriented programming; create VB Forms for use in Internet Explorer; discover Visual Basic's newest database features; create sophisticated event-driven programs; build you own special-purpose Internet Browser; use the Visual Basic environment to develop programs; discover how to distribute your programs; and unleash the power of graphics programming, OLE, and ActiveX.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Build Bulletproof Programs for Windows and the Internet!

Visual Basic 6 has a lot to offer, from its new file handling objects and advanced Internet programming capabilities to its new database features. Learn to build your own commercial-quality application -- not just toy apps -- using this comprehensive, hands-on tutorial from expert author Gary Cornell, winner of the prestigious Readers' Choice Award from Visual Basic Programmer's journal. This best-selling guide for the beginning and intermediate programmer has been thoroughly revised and updated to cover the newest version of the world's #1 visual programming tool.

Using modular, step-by-step instructions, you will:

• Progress from elementary programming skills to marketable expertise.
• Learn object-oriented programming.
• Create VB Forms for use in Internet Explorer.
• Discover Visual Basic's newest database features.
• Create sophisticated event-driven programs.
• Build you own special-purpose Internet Browser.
• Use the Visual Basic environment to develop programs.
• Discover how to distribute your programs.
• Unleash the power of graphics programming , OLE, and ActiveX.

About the Author

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Product Details

• Paperback: 932 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 1 edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0078825083
• ISBN-13: 978-0078825088
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Computers & Technology > Microsoft > Development > Visual Basic

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a beginner's book, April 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Visual Basic 6 from the Ground Up (Paperback)

A word of caution...this is not a beginner's book. The title is misleading in that it sounds as though one can simply pick up this book and "presto" learn VB6. I found this an excellent SECOND VB6 book. I am not a programmer by trade but nonetheless hold several advanced degrees...i.e., I not THAT stupid!. I found the first 200 pages to be easy to follow and very helpful. After this, however, I quickly was lost. Cornell doesn't supply enough examples of when you might use a programming technique. At times the book simply supplies a laundry list of items..i.e., "intrinsic functions", etc. Many other topics are covered in rather vague terms (at least for the beginner). The chapter on databases discusses only DAO, a soon-to-be obsolete technology, instead of ADO. On the positive side, once I learned a bit more VB6 (I read Peter Wright's "Beginning Visual Basic 6.0"), Cornell's book actually became helpful. If one has a reasonable grasp of VB, then the author provides some valuable programming tips, etc. Thus, if already have some experience with VB or another programming language, this is a reasonable book. If you are truly a NOVICE, however, I'd recommend you spend your money elsewhere.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Detailed but teaches badly, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Visual Basic 6 from the Ground Up (Paperback)

Cornell's book is very detailed and he tries to explain all the concepts well. He doesn't just show you how to program, he tries to make you a good programmer by demonstrating good programming techniques and giving useful tips which I haven't found in other books. The book covers a lot of ground and is good value.

However, he teaches badly. The chapter on variables is confusing, for example the usage of the variable identifier, and how it differs from the Dim statements. The chapters often leave the reader with questions such as "What if..." or "Why doesn't..." although Cornell does seem to explain in much more depth than other writers.

He overwhelms the reader with so much information but gives very little opportunity to practise using fully working practical examples. This frustrated and bored me. He ought to include some examples of how and why you use all the concepts. Sometimes I wonder, "When would I need to use that? Come on, give me a demo project!"

It is a shame that such an informative and detailed book is let down by poor teaching methods and lack of examples. Otherwise it is a very good book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not for beginners as the title suggests, April 14, 2000

By 

"dparnian" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Visual Basic 6 from the Ground Up (Paperback)

If given the opportunity, I would have Mr. Cornell go back and make the entire manual flow like the first six chapters. I was fairly confident as I waded through those first chapters because the author proceeded slowly and explained everything. Then, all of a sudden, it seemed like a different writer took over.

The book is also extremely wordy. Not a good attribute for a manual like this. I think the people using this manual want to find information fast and read it fast. Instead, you have to wade through miles and miles of verbage to pick out what you need.

There are also too many tips, notes, and cautions. They get in the way. As a reader, you start ignoring them after awhile.

Mr. Cornell is obviously very knowledgeable. He provides lots of helpful hints to improve efficiency. This is just not an appropriate book for beginners.