Microsoft Visual Basic Professional 6.0 Step by Step (Step By Step (Microsoft)) (Paperback)

by Michael Halvorson (Author) "Microsoft Visual Basic's ability to perform some impressive tasks rests on key fundamentals we'll cover carefully in the first part of this book..." (more)
Key Phrases: common dialog object, rich text box object, programming environment returns, Internet Explorer, Save Project, End Sub (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
In 24 easy-to-follow lessons, Microsoft Visual Basic Professional 6.0: Step by Step covers all of the fundamentals of programming with VB6. The book breaks lessons down into clearly defined steps and concise discussions that assist in creating demonstrative sample programs.

A companion CD-ROM contains 84 projects, organized into 24 folders to match the chapters in the book, plus an extras folder. The sheer number of projects and abundance of source code provide a valuable resource that will help beginning programmers get started quickly.

Though it contains a complete introduction, the book avoids or simply briefs on some advanced topics like multiple document interface (which, of course, advanced programmers would need to be familiar with, though it receives only a one-page sidebar).

The discussion of object linking and embedding, while a tad Microsoft Office-centric, adequately introduces and explains a potentially difficult subject. The book also contains lessons on current topics, including DHTML and file transfer, a pleasant surprise as Richter gives these topics their due.

For those looking for a complete, hands-on introduction to Visual Basic programming, this book will provide a valuable resource. --John Keogh

Topics covered: Using the Visual Basic development environment; forms and projects; properties; exiting Visual Basic; creating a new project; running a program; creating an executable; using controls; menus and dialog boxes; variables; mathematical operators; conditional and looping code; debugging; printers and error handlers; graphics; drag and drop; file operations; modules, functions, and procedures; collections; static and dynamic arrays; string functions; text files; simple encryption; using Access databases; launching OLE-aware Windows programs; OLE Automation; the Windows clipboard; ActiveX controls; integrating sound and video; monitoring your systems memory; downloading files using FTP and HTTP; using Internet Explorer to display HTML files; working with DHTML; creating an HTML page that supports DHTML; using ActiveX controls in DHTML pages; brief discussion of preparing a DHTML project for deployment as an HTML file and DLL; ActiveX Data Objects; FlexGrid; using the CD-ROM.

Product Description
MICROSOFT VISUAL BASIC PROFESSIONAL 6.0 STEP BY STEP helps readers quickly and efficiently learn how to write 32-bit Windows(r)-based programs using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. The easy-to-follow lessons include clear objectives and real-world business examples so readers can learn exactly what they need to know, at their own speed. Prepared by an author who has written numerous titles for the beginner audience, the book includes approximately 12 hours of instruction, packed with screen shots and illustrations to help readers learn as quickly and as easily as possible. The companion CD-ROM includes practice files tightly integrated with the lessons and the source code and finished versions of the mini-programs discussed throughout the book. An army of programmers, eager to put the power of Visual Basic 6.0 to work, will embrace this book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (September 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572318090
• ISBN-13: 978-1572318090
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #452,203 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

177 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the cream of the crop, January 11, 2000

By	Paul Bussiere (Bangor, ME USA) - See all my reviews

Let me state that I have been through many, many books on how to learn Visual Basic 6.0. I've done the Dummies Book, the Sams 21 Day and 24 hour route, and the John Smiley 'By examples' book, and lastly the Peter Norton VB book. I've spent some serious money on books and Im still a rookie programmer (ok, so Im modest...).

Since I started with the Dummies book, it gave me the basics of how and why VB works. But, what I found it lacking was any real examples to play with. The Sams books were redundant of the dummies guides. And the Peter Norton book was just pathetic. It would bore a Vulcan to sleep. I can't tell you how many times I caught myself reading the same paragraph over and over to try to capture the meaning. The book by John Smiley was fantastic, but his follow up one, the "By Examples", had a Talk Show tone that left me confused. The book just had too much going on asides VB...and after a chapter or two, I just couldnt take it any longer (the book is now a lovely speaker holder).

Enough on those. To you that have tried a book or two and are thirsty for a book that will bring you across the finish line, this is it. No, this is not an ideal first book for the newbie. But, if you understand a wee bit about VB, this book will pick you up and carry you though. The examples (and there are lots) are the heart of each lesson. Most books are very wordy and defining the process, then an example. Not this one. This guy must have pilot blood in him. You get a heads up of what you are going to do, make an example and try it out, then after you've "landed", the author discusses with you what you just did, the dynamics, and how to go a step beyond. Ok, this is getting really wordy, so let me wrap up here....Im not a good reader...I get distracted too easy. I found myself able to get absorbed into this book and LEARN. Its concise and to the point. So, to those of you that didnt like the book, well...perhaps you like those War & peace sized ones...or like books that read like Latin 101 and put anyone that dares read over your shoulder to sleep. <g> Good book, good examples...I tended to stay away from the Microsoft Press books since they were much more expensive then the other entry-level guides. Not any more...looking forwad to his next book on the next version of VB

Thanks for allowing me to comment

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for a non-programmer looking to start out..., December 4, 2001

By	Scott B. Leonard (Watertown, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I started programming in BASIC when I was 8 (on an Apple II back in 1978...AppleSoft BASIC written by Bill Gates). I never listened to the naysayers about the spaghetti code, not an OOP language, etc...BASIC and VB are the Rodney Dangerfield of programming languages.

I was in a bookstore and bumped into a colleague and she asked me if I had heard anything about Halvorson's VB6 Step by Step...I hadn't until she showed it to me. I skimmed through the book and found that there was a good base of knowledge for someone new to Window's event driven programming.

I did notice some of the old BASIC naming conventions, which I won't fault the author with. I did get a more thorough look at the book at work, when my friend would come and ask questions about portions of the material written by Halvorson. Take the title as is...Step By Step. Don't let the bad reviews out here sway your decision if you are new to programming...this will take you to an intermediate level and will set you up to tackle other VB challenges if you choose to explore more.

If you want to learn to be a good VB programmer and you are just starting out here is the path to take:
(1) Michael Halvorson's - VB6:Step By Step,
(2) Evangelos Petroutsos' - Mastering VB 6
(3) Deborah Kurata's - Doing Objects in VB6 or Peter Wright's - Beginning VB6 Objects (for chapter on Object Persistence)
(4) Dan Appleman's - VB Programmer's Guide to the Win32 API

Whatever course you take expanding your horizons...good luck.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for beginners, February 15, 1999

By A Customer

This book doesn't assume that you know ANYTHING about programming; it's great for people with absolutely no background in C, C++, Java, or any scripting language; however, knowing any of the above is an advantage. The first several chapters of the book deal basically with using the Visual Basic 6.0 programming environment; and that's a lifesaver. I'd have been completely lost without it. I would recommend this book to people with no background in programming -or- Windows, because it assumes you know nothing; which is a logical assumption in a beginner's book. It is a little wordy, and often refers you to online help, which I have found to be difficult to use, but all in all it's a fabulous way to get your feet wet. I'm almost finished with it, and I wish they had a VB Professional Step by Step part II, cos I doubt any other book could hold a candle to this one. It's worth every penny.