What is Visual Basic ?
- Visual Basic, derived from the Basic language.
- Visual Basic is an object-based and event-driven programming language.
- This language is design & developed by Microsoft.
- This language is relatively easy to learn.
- It enables you to create GUI (graphical user interface) applications.
- It's easily using the Rapid Application Development (RAD) technique.
- The one most interesting feature of this language is that it comes with a designer called Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
- The easy-to-use tools of the IDE enable you to easily create buttons, textbox, and other controls for your desktop application.
History of Visual Basic
I'm not going to explore the history of VB in depth but a little knowledge is necessary. Visual Basic 1.0 was released in 1991 while Visual Basic 6.0 came out in 1998. The following table shows the versions of Visual Basic according to their release years.
Table: Versions of Visual Basic with release years
I'm not going to explore the history of VB in depth but a little knowledge is necessary. Visual Basic 1.0 was released in 1991 while Visual Basic 6.0 came out in 1998. The following table shows the versions of Visual Basic according to their release years.
Table: Versions of Visual Basic with release years
Version Year of release Visual basic 1.0 1991 (For Windows 3) Visual basic 2.0 1992 (For Windows 3) Visual basic 3.0 1993 (For Windows 3) Visual basic 4.0 1995 (For Windows 95) Visual basic 5.0 1997 (For Windows 97) Visual basic 6.0 1998 (For Windows 98 & above)
| Version | Year of release |
|---|---|
| Visual basic 1.0 | 1991 (For Windows 3) |
| Visual basic 2.0 | 1992 (For Windows 3) |
| Visual basic 3.0 | 1993 (For Windows 3) |
| Visual basic 4.0 | 1995 (For Windows 95) |
| Visual basic 5.0 | 1997 (For Windows 97) |
| Visual basic 6.0 | 1998 (For Windows 98 & above) |
Start a New Project
Run the Visual Basic software from the list of programs or a desktop shortcut icon. A window as same as the following picture will appear.
Click "Standard EXE". Start a Standard .exe type of project. In the beginner level, you will only learn about this type of project.
Other project types on this window are for the advanced learners. You can do a lot of things implying VB6 is giving you enough power in your hand through these different project types.
Click "Standard EXE". Start a Standard .exe type of project. In the beginner level, you will only learn about this type of project.
Other project types on this window are for the advanced learners. You can do a lot of things implying VB6 is giving you enough power in your hand through these different project types.
The Integrated Development Environment
After this, the main workspace appears where you will develop your application with the tools in IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
It is very important to know the names of all the elements of this development environment. The tools available here makes it very easy for you to develop an application. The VB6 IDE provides you many tools in one place. You can add a control on the form of your choice, set a property of an object from the Properties Window on the right hand side, set the form layout and many more things that you can use alongside your coding. You can even fill the ToolBox with lots of additional controls.
After this, the main workspace appears where you will develop your application with the tools in IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
It is very important to know the names of all the elements of this development environment. The tools available here makes it very easy for you to develop an application. The VB6 IDE provides you many tools in one place. You can add a control on the form of your choice, set a property of an object from the Properties Window on the right hand side, set the form layout and many more things that you can use alongside your coding. You can even fill the ToolBox with lots of additional controls.
View Code Window
Double-click on form or any control on the form or click "view code" icon in explorer window to view the code window.
Double-click on form or any control on the form or click "view code" icon in explorer window to view the code window.
Save your project
After developing your application, save your project in order to modify or improve it later, or make an executable file with a few clicks. The project, form and module are saved in .vbp, .frm and .bas extensions respectively.
Click on "Make Project1.exe", it will make an executable file that will run like any other software.
After developing your application, save your project in order to modify or improve it later, or make an executable file with a few clicks. The project, form and module are saved in .vbp, .frm and .bas extensions respectively.
Click on "Make Project1.exe", it will make an executable file that will run like any other software.