1. Introduction

1.1 Aims of Training

The aim of this free training course is to provide a beginner level introduction to the Visual Basic programming language. No previous knowledge of Visual Basic is assumed, although contact with Windows is required.

By the end of the course, it is envisaged that users will have a working knowledge of the main aspects of Visual Basic. However, there are so many third party libraries and controls available that it is impossible to cover all of them. This site therefore concentrates on common Visual Basic functionality, with some reference to how an external library or control can be used.

Users should follow this site as a framework to general training. Not every aspect of the Visual Basic language will be covered in great detail, as some of the information contained herein will already be familiar to some users. At some point in the future, we hope to expand this site to allow for discussion of key points.

Users are encouraged to make notes as they progress through the site, developing the Visual Basic projects as they go.

1.2 Layout

1.2.1 Exercises
Throughout the site, important points are reinforced using an 'Exercise' box. If the Exercise has an associated number, users are encouraged to save the completed Exercise into a unique folder, for future reference. Numbered Exercises may also be required in a subsequent Exercise, so it is important that each version is saved. Exercises will always appear as follows:

Exercise #####:
Exercise instructions

Exercises which you are not expected to save (they may only be used to familiarise users with a menu or dialogue screen in Visual Basic) will not be numbered.

Each user should complete all of the exercises, as they form an extremely important part of the training. In situations where you can't complete an exercise, a completed exercise will be available for download, however, this is not anticipated to be necessary.

1.3.2 Note
Notes are used to highlight points that have been made during the course. They are also used to draw attention to specific developments in sample code or exercises.

Notes are made in a box and are coloured differently to the normal text. A note looks like this:

Note: Important points or new developments are highlighted like this.

1.3.3 Sample Code
In order to coach programming practice, it is often necessary throughout this document to give samples of the code. These samples should be used as a guide to the grammar and context of the associated text.

Sample code is shown as an indented 'script' type font, as follows:

Private Sub ShowCode()
   MsgBox "Hello, world!"
End Sub

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