Visual Basic Tutorials/Books

[Shamus]

How did you learn Visual Basic? What are some good online tutorials/ebooks/books that teach you how to use it?

[MulletMan]

I have a disk that came with a free MS subscription of my dad's. It was some sort of MSDN library deal with tons of resources for VB. Good tutorials etc etc. I'll try and look for it later... ;)

[drake]

My personal opinion is stay away from anything VB because it is all completely unportable and crap. Its slower than C++, Delphi, Assembly, or any other medium for the most part. Like I just said, IT ISN'T PORTABLE. So if Windows ever falls your code is useless. Go with C++ or Assembly and stay away from MFC with C++ because thats Microsoft's attempt at making window's programs written in C++ unportable as well. Stick to Windows App programming and Assembly for sure.

[brentech]

My personal opinion is stay away from anything VB because it is all completely unportable and crap. Its slower than C++, Delphi, Assembly, or any other medium for the most part. Like I just said, IT ISN'T PORTABLE. So if Windows ever falls your code is useless. Go with C++ or Assembly and stay away from MFC with C++ because thats Microsoft's attempt at making window's programs written in C++ unportable as well. Stick to Windows App programming and Assembly for sure.

Eh. If you don't know VB, you really can't get a job anywhere. Yeah -- other programming languages are much more powerful, but most everything is run off VB..so I wouldn't say that.

I learned the little I know through a course that I am required for my major here at school. We used a book called "Programming with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET" by Diane Zak.

I actually think the book is a pretty big piece of shit. Although when learning anything, it does help to have examples. It didn't really help out with explaining how to work out any type of problems though. When it came to problems, I got better help out of VB.NET's built-in help system.

[drake]

You really expect to get a job when your reading books and not actually taking classes! :D

[drake]

http://www.blizzard.com/jobopp/bn-programmer.shtml

Just to add. Check out that description for a GAME PROGRAMMER at Blizzard, one of the leading game developers in the world. OH NO Visual Basic on the list. UH OH!

[brentech]

http://www.blizzard.com/jobopp/bn-programmer.shtml

Just to add. Check out that description for a GAME PROGRAMMER at Blizzard, one of the leading game developers in the world. OH NO Visual Basic on the list. UH OH!
Yeah. They make games jackass. :?

Second...VB is your front end. You can program C++ or C# or J as your backend. When you install VB.NET you get the option of adding all those programming languages and more. That's why the program is like 2.6GB.
You just have to have a background in VB to do that stuff.

[MulletMan]

Oh and how many people going into a game-developing field actually get jobs with big-name companies like blizzard? You need to start somewhere in programming/developing/whatever, and because VB is so widely used, it would help with getting into the field in the first place.

[brentech]

Oh and how many people going into a game-developing field actually get jobs with big-name companies like blizzard? You need to start somewhere in programming/developing/whatever, and because VB is so widely used, it would help with getting into the field in the first place.
Hehe. But I am sure that the actual software isn't 'supposed' to be used on your home computers.
My friend's dad works for Wright Patterson AirForce Base. They give him copies of all the software too, but that doesn't mean he is supposed to use it for himself...hehe.

Although -- I could be wrong, maybe your dad's place just doesn't care. :D

[MulletMan]

No man its actually a personal subscription I'm pretty sure. Cuz they sent us EVERYTHING. Not just the programs being discussed in his course. My dad's place is the RCMP, so if it's illegal, they probably WOULD care. Of course what they know can't hurt them ;)

Note: Hes not a cop, dont be gettin the wrong ideas!

[drake]

I don't think I need to start listing examples of jobs you can get as a beginner programmer without knowing VB. It really depends on what you do. If you work for a company who is Microsoft's bitch than they probably will want visual basic background.

[MulletMan]

Let me ask you this? Who ISN'T microsofts bitch these days? Probably lots of people.. but let me stay ignorant damn you! Dont take my bliss away!!! :rolleyes:

[drake]

Well I doubt the CEO of Netscape would be thrilled with your post.

[MulletMan]

But deep down inside he knows its true. ;) Haha, jokes.

[brentech]

I'm not saying VB is the only way to go, but it is a standard....and knowing the basics will be asked of you in many many cases.

Yeah -- if your working with Linux or Unix systems, you probably won't have to. But as a general statement...knowning the standards is what counts. Having certifications will help you 1000x over just having a degree.

[drake]

You see but that is what I totally disagree with. I don't think its a standard. There are jobs out there and a lot of them maybe that want VB as a language you know but there are a lot of jobs that don't require it or want it at all. For instance most AOL Time Warner programming jobs don't require any knowledge of Visual Basic. It isn't a standard. It was maybe 4 to 5 years ago but then people saw how slow and inefficient it was and stopped using it.

[brentech]

Well. I agree with you in many respects Drake. Seriously.

But most programmers that work for AOL, don't design. I've more of been talking about design jobs. The backends of the programs don't need VB at all.

Either way, we are both right. So it doesn't matter, hehe.

[drake]

ya honestly all of this is a matter of opinion and completely differs with the actual job and company you are dealing with.

[Liquor_Riss]

Microsoft Access uses VB.....hehe...:rolleyes: