VBA Developer's Handbook, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

by Ken Getz (Author), Mike Gilbert (Author) "Almost any VBA application will need to handle string (text) data at one point or another..." (more)
Key Phrases: wallpaper value, enumeration handle, command message interface, End Sub, Visual Basic, Public Sub (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
--Developers using VBA for programming Microsoft Office and other applications can build customized applications that go far beyond what is possible with simple macros.

--Written by Mike Gilbert, a key VBA evangelist at Microsoft, and Ken Getz, known to readers around the world for his expertise in Office and Access programming, this revised edition of the best-selling VBA Developer's Handbook introduces programmers to new features of VBA 6.

--The bonus CD contains all the sample code from the book, with usable solutions to meet more than 300 programming goals with VBA.

From the Back Cover
WRITE BULLETPROOF VBA CODE FOR ANY SITUATION
This book is the essential resource for developers working with any of the more than 300 products that employ the Visual Basic for Applications programming language. Written by recognized VBA experts, it provides detailed coverage of a wide range of specific VBA programming challenges. Its careful, step-by-step instructions and thousands of lines of code offer answers, while teaching you to devise new and creative solutions. The instruction applies equally to all VBA environments, whether you are building standalone applications or customizing commercial products using their built-in VBA programmability.

Coverage Includes

• Manipulating text, numbers, and dates
• Using automation to control other applications
• Creating objects using VBA class modules
• Using standard search and sort algorithms from within VBA
• Creating standard dynamic data structures, including linked lists, binary trees, stacks, and queues
• Working with Windows system information, including memory status, screen info, mouse, keyboard, and power status
• Working with Windows Registry data
• Retrieving and setting Windows networking information
• Working with the Windows file system, iterating through folders, creating and deleting files
• Adding sound and movies to VBA apps using Windows multimedia extensions
• Tapping the system capabilities provided by the Windows Scripting Runtime library
• Writing add-ins for the Visual Basic environment
  
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Product Details

• Paperback: 1104 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 2 edition (April 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782129781
• ISBN-13: 978-0782129786
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #158,500 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #18 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > Languages & Tools > Basic
  #39 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Development > VBA

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

139 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, worth every penny, book!, May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: VBA Developer's Handbook (Paperback)

I have had this book for a long time and thought I should put in my .02 cents worth.

Please do not let some of the earlier reviews fool or confuse you. This is a VBA based book. What does that mean? First off it means that it covers the common programming language 'Visual Basic for Applications' (VBA) that is used by Microsoft Office as well as third party products like Visio, AutoCAD, etc. Second, 'the language' VBA is the same 'programming language' which is used by 'the product' Visual Basic 5.0/6.0 from Microsoft. Think of it this way: Microsoft Visual C++ is a Windows development tool that uses the language C++. Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet tool that happens to contain a full blown programming language, VBA. In addition, Microsoft happens to sell a 'Windows development tool', called Visual Basic which in turn contains a full blow programming language, VBA. Except for some minor differences, the VBA in Office 97 is the 'same' as the version in the product Visual Basic 5.0.

This book does not pretend to be about 'the Visual Basic product' or any of the Microsoft Office products. It is about the 'common' programming language, VBA, which they (Visual Basic, Office, Visio, etc.) share! Some of the previous reviewers seem to be confused to these facts.

While the current edition of this book covers the version of VBA released with Office 97, all of the code would work in Visual Basic 5.0 or 6.0, Visio, AutoCAD, etc. In fact, with the release of VBA 6.0, the 'common programming language' will be the same in Visual Basic 6.0 and Office 2000 and soon to be released versions of Visio, etc.

This excellent book will NOT show you how to do database programming in Access, spreadsheet programming in Excel, or document programming in Word. It will NOT show you how to write ActiveX DLL's using the Visual Basic PRODUCT or do DCOM programming.

This book WILL however show you how to write great VBA code (remember, the language) you can use in any of the previously mentioned products. In addition, you will obtain code that will help you get system information, perform 'correct' date calculations, access the system registry, use multimedia features and more! Remember, if I'm wrong, you can send the book back. Nevertheless, if you want to get some understanding about the VBA 'language', get this book.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars VB versus VBA, January 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: VBA Developer's Handbook (Paperback)

Page xxi has "As a developer, I don't want to have to write a charting application from the ground up. And with Microsoft Excel, I don't have to. Need a corporate calendar or contact management system? You can customize Microsoft Outlook..." This foreword from a Microsoft Product Manager should not belong in this book. This book's chapter on automation describes customizing the toolbar. It doesn't guide you through the above. It does not include info on using VBA with DNA to accomplish client/server programming. The title of the book is misleading. The book is more about code. On the positive note, this book accomplishes its objective. It provides ready-to-run code on a number of topics. It provides the information you need to view or add information to the registry or some other intermediate or advanced topic without explaining the details of why serious developers are interested in those topics. The book requires VBA 5.0. Microsoft has released a newer version.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Object-Oriented Programming in VBA, April 8, 2003

By	"fredmjr" (USA) - See all my reviews

Finally there is a book that addresses advanced/state-of-the-art topics and program functionality in VBA. Most other VBA books end their discussion of object-oriented constructs and custom classes with a weak example of a collection class. This book goes way beyond into custom events, interface and implementation classes, and error handling. You're left with the feeling that you have access to all the armament VBA has to offer. Plus, there are lot's of tips & tricks for everything else, and lot's of code you need but haven't had the time to write yourself.