The contents of this chapter include how to install Visual Basic, add or delete Visual Basic components, Visual Basic learning materials and how to get more help.
Table of contents
Welcome to VisualBasic
Install Visual Basic
Practical assistant
Welcome to VisualBasic
Welcome to Microsoft Visual Basic, which provides the fastest and easiest way to develop Microsoft Windows(R) applications. Whether you are an experienced professional developer of Microsoft Windows applications or a beginner, Visual Basic provides them with a complete set of tools to facilitate application development.
What is VisualBasic? "Visual" refers to the method of developing graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Instead of writing a lot of code to describe the appearance and position of interface elements, you can just add a pre-created object to a point on the screen. If you've used a drawing program like Paint, you already have the skills necessary to create user interfaces.
"Basic" refers to the BASIC (BeginnersAll-PurposeSymbolitInstructionCode) language, the most widely used language in the history of computing technology development. VisualBasic is further developed on the basis of the original BASIC language and now contains hundreds of statements, functions and keywords, many of which are directly related to Windows GUI. Professionals can use Visual Basic to implement the functions of any other Windows programming language, while beginners can create practical applications as long as they master a few keywords.
VisualBasic is more than just the VisualBasic programming language. This language is used by the Visual Basic programming system, Microsoft Excel Applications Edition, Microsoft Access, and many other applications for Windows. Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript) is a widely used scripting language that is a subset of the Visual Basic language. In this way, the experience gained in learning Visual Basic can be applied to all these areas.
From developing small tools for personal use or group use, to large-scale enterprise application systems, and even globally distributed applications through the Internet, you can get what you need in the tools provided by Visual Basic.
1. Data access features allow the creation of database and front-end applications for most database formats, including Microsoft SQL Server and other enterprise databases, as well as adjustable server-side components.
2. With ActiveX technology, you can use the functions provided by other applications, such as Microsoft Word word processor, Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and other Windows applications. You can even use applications and objects created directly with VBP or VBE.
3. The Internet is powerful, making it easy for you to access documents and applications through the Internet or Intranet within the application, or create Internet server applications.
4. The completed application is a real .exe file using the VisualBasic virtual machine, which you can freely distribute.
VisualBasic version introduction
VisualBasic has three versions to meet different development needs.
1.VisualBasic Learning Edition enables programmers to easily develop Windows and WindowsNT(r) applications. This version includes all internal controls as well as grid, tab, and data-bound controls. The documents provided by the learning version include LearnVBNowCD and MicrosoftDeveloperNetworkCD containing all online documents.
2. The professional version provides professional programmers with a complete set of development tools. This version includes all the features of the learning version as well as ActiveX controls, InternetInformationServerApplicationDesigner, integrated VisualDatabaseTools and DataEnvironment, ActiveDataObjects and DynamicHTMLPageDesigner. The documents provided by the professional version include the Visual Studio PRofessionalFeatures manual and the Microsoft Developer Network CD containing all online documents.
3. The Enterprise Edition enables professional programmers to develop powerful distributed applications within the group. This version includes all the features of the professional version as well as BackOffice tools, such as SQLServer, MicrosoftTransactionServer, InternetInformationServer, VisualSourceSafe, SNAServer, etc. Printed documentation included with the Enterprise Edition includes the Visual Studio Enterprise Features manual and the Microsoft Developer Network CD containing all online documentation.
Install Visual Basic
Use the Setup program to install Visual Basic. The installation program installs Visual Basic and other product components from the CD-ROM to the hard disk. It also installs the necessary files to view the documentation on the Microsoft Developer Network CD. You can choose to install only the Visual Basic documentation and sample programs to your computer.
The important point is that you cannot directly copy the files on the CD-ROM to the hard disk and then run Visual Basic from the hard disk. The files must be unzipped and installed into the appropriate directory using the installer.
1. Check before running the installation (vbconBeforeYouRunSetup) before installing.
2. Install Visual (BasicvbconSettingUpVisualBasic) to install VisualBasic.
Before running the installation
Before installing Visual Basic, you must confirm that your computer meets the minimum installation requirements and read the Readme file in the root directory of the installation disk.
Check hardware and system requirements
In order to run Visual Basic, the appropriate hardware and software systems must be installed on the computer. These system requirements include:
1. Microsoft Windows NT95 or higher, or Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (ServicePack 3 recommended) or higher.
2.486DX/66MHz or higher processor (Pentium or higher recommended), or any Alpha processor running Microsoft Windows NT Workstation.
3. A CD-ROM drive.
4. VGA or higher resolution monitor supported by Microsoft Windows.
5.16MBRAMforWindows95, 32MBofRAMforWindowsNTWorkstation.
6. Mouse or other pointing device.
For more information about system installation requirements, see "System Requirements for Visual Basic Applications" in Appendix A, "Visual Basic Specifications, Limitations, and File Format."
Read Readme file
Readme files list changes since the Visual Basic documentation was published. This file can be read by selecting "ReadMeFirst" on the initial installation screen, or it can be found in the root directory of the CD-ROM. It can also be accessed from the VisualBasicStartPage in the documentation. The first part of the file is for details and new information about installing Visual Basic, please check it out. ->