Are you planning to learn Visual Basic from scratch? If you’re a beginner, you might not be familiar with Visual Basic and its role in programming. Visual Basic is fundamentally a beginner-friendly programming language, designed to be easier to understand, even for those just starting out. The introduction of Microsoft Visual Basic made programming more accessible with its user-friendly approach.
Microsoft Visual Basic was born from the idea of creating a simple language that made scripting easier, aiming to be a simple scripting language for the graphical user interface (GUI) within Microsoft Windows operating systems.
There are several versions of Visual Basic, but Visual Basic 6.0 remains widely used. This version is known for its graphical interface, often referred to as GUI, which is used to create desktop applications. Desktop applications are software programs that require installation on an operating system (OS) like Windows, Linux, or Mac.
While numerous programming languages exist, Visual Basic, Delphi, and Java are prominent for desktop application development. Among these, Visual Basic is particularly favored for its ease of use and gentle learning curve.
From its earliest iterations to version 6.0, Visual Basic 6.0 has been a programmer favorite. Although officially discontinued by its owner as they shifted focus to Visual Basic .NET, many, including professional programmers, still use Visual Basic 6.0 today. This enduring popularity is due to its straightforward programming language, which is easy to grasp and learn, enabling almost anyone to create applications with relative ease.
Understanding the Visual Basic Environment
For beginners learning Visual Basic, it’s crucial to understand the programs and tools within Visual Basic 6.0 that make up its working environment. These include elements like the Title Bar, Menu Bar, Toolbar, Toolbox, Form Window, Code Window, Project Explorer, Properties window, and Form Layout window.
Are you familiar with what these programs are and what they do? Let’s break it down:
Title Bar
The Title Bar is the area at the top of the Visual Basic window that displays the title of the current Visual Basic project.
Menu Bar
The Menu Bar is located under the Title Bar and provides access to various commands and options within Visual Basic, organized into drop-down menus.
Toolbar
The Toolbar is a strip of buttons, usually located below the Menu Bar, that offers quick access to frequently used commands in Visual Basic, acting as shortcuts to menu options.
Toolbox
The Toolbox is a crucial component, serving as a repository for objects that you can place onto your forms. These objects include Labels, Frames, Textboxes, Checkboxes, Command Buttons, Option Buttons, and many others, which are essential for building the user interface of your application.
Alt: Visual Basic 6.0 Toolbox displaying common interface elements like buttons, text boxes, and labels, essential for designing application interfaces.
Form Window
The Form Window is where you design the user interface of your application. It’s a canvas where you create forms and place objects from the Toolbox. Here, you visually design your program’s interface to meet your specific needs and preferences.
Code Window
The Code Window is where you write the Visual Basic code that dictates how your application functions. This window is essential for entering programming instructions. Without code, the form will not perform any actions, making the Code Window the most critical part of Visual Basic.
There are two main components within the Code Window that you should understand:
- Object list box (left dropdown): This dropdown menu lists all the objects available on the currently active form, organized by their names. It allows you to select a specific object to write code for.
- Procedure list box (right dropdown): This dropdown menu lists all the procedures (events and methods) available for the object selected in the Object list box. For example, for a Command Button, you might see procedures like
ClickorDoubleClick, among others.
The Code Window is paramount as it’s the space where you define the behavior of each object according to its respective procedures. Accuracy and attention to detail are critical when writing code, as even minor errors can lead to program malfunctions.
Project Explorer
The Project Explorer is a window that displays all the files associated with your current Visual Basic project in a hierarchical structure. In Visual Basic 6.0, a project is a collection of files that support the application you’re developing. These files can include forms, user controls, modules, class modules, and more, providing a comprehensive view of your project’s components.
Properties Window
The Properties window is used to modify the characteristics of forms and objects. It allows you to set various attributes such as the form type, form name, form color, button names, and other customizable properties, giving you fine-grained control over the appearance and behavior of your application elements.
Alt: Properties window in Visual Basic 6.0 showing configurable attributes for selected objects, allowing customization of appearance and behavior.
Form Layout Window
The Form Layout window lets you control the initial position of your form when the application runs. When designing a form, you can specify where it appears on the screen—centered, top/bottom, or left/right.
By default, the form will appear in the position defined in this window, but its actual display can also be influenced by code or property settings. Understanding these Visual Basic environment components is a fundamental step in your learning journey.
Creating Your First Program in Visual Basic
To become a proficient and experienced programmer, starting from the basics is essential. Learning Visual Basic is achievable by following these steps to create a simple program.
Visual Basic is a powerful Development Tool that enables you to create various computer programs. Here, you will learn to build a form and write simple instructions to display the message “Hello world! This is my first program”.
- Open Visual Basic 6.0: Start by launching the Visual Basic 6.0 program on your computer.
- Create a New Project: In the Visual Basic startup dialog, select the “New” tab, choose “Standard EXE”, and click the “Open” button. This action creates a new standard executable project.
- Add a Command Button: From the Toolbox, select the “Command Button” object. You can either double-click the “Command Button” icon to automatically place it on the Form, or click once on the icon, then click and drag on the Form to draw a Command Button of your desired size.
- Open the Code Window: Double-click on the “Command1” button you just added to the form. This will open the Code Window, specifically for the
Command1_Clickevent. - Write the Code: In the Code Window, within the
Private Sub Command1_Click()andEnd Sublines, type the following code:
MsgBox "Hello world! Ini program pertama saya"This line of code uses the MsgBox function to display a message box with the text “Hello world! Ini program pertama saya” when the button is clicked.
- Run the Program: To execute your program, press the F5 key on your keyboard.
- Test the Button: If no errors occur, your program will run, and the form you designed will appear. Click the “Command1” button on the form. A message box should pop up displaying “Hello world! Ini program pertama saya”.
Alt: A simple “Hello World” program running in Visual Basic 6.0, demonstrating a message box triggered by a button click.
Wasn’t that straightforward? The crucial aspect of Visual Basic programming is writing the code instructions correctly. Even a minor error can prevent the program from running and instead display an error message.
As mentioned earlier, learning Visual Basic is designed to be easy. It’s an excellent choice for beginners who are new to programming. Visual Basic’s environment makes it simple and quick to develop Windows-based applications.
Advanced programmers can leverage Visual Basic to create more complex applications, including client-server and networking programs.
One of Visual Basic’s strengths is its use of simple, commonly used English words in its language structure. This means you don’t need to memorize complex syntax or obscure language formats.
Visual Basic provides everything you need, readily available for selection based on your needs. Its development environment is user-friendly for creating Windows applications, it’s mouse-driven, and offers a range of powerful features. It’s often considered one of the most popular, easiest, and most enjoyable programming languages to use.
Even without prior programming skills, if you are comfortable navigating Windows, you’ll find it easier to develop creative applications with Visual Basic. The basic skills required to learn Visual Basic are simply using menus, managing windows, and using a mouse.
In conclusion, Visual Basic is a comprehensive and user-friendly programming tool suitable for anyone, even beginners. Anyone familiar with Windows can start creating programs using Visual Basic.
The development process involves understanding how to manipulate windows, use a mouse, and apply programming logic to build Visual Basic applications.
Benefits of Learning Visual Basic
Learning to create programs with Visual Basic offers several significant benefits and uses. Here are some of them:
- Windows Application Development: Primarily, Visual Basic is used to create applications that run on the Windows operating system.
- Object Creation for Other Programs: It can be used to develop objects that assist other programs, such as internet applications, help files, ActiveX controls, and more, extending its utility beyond standalone applications.
- Program Testing and Debugging: Visual Basic provides robust tools for program testing (debugging) and can compile programs into executable files (.EXE) that can be run directly on Windows.
Key Features of Visual Basic
Beyond its benefits, learning Visual Basic also has unique advantages, especially when mastered.
Since its development in the 1980s, Visual Basic has evolved to version 6.0. Key features of Visual Basic 6.0 include:
- Developer Studio Platform: Visual Basic 6.0 utilizes the Developer Studio platform, sharing a similar interface and tools with C++ and Visual J++. This commonality makes it easier to transition to or learn other programming languages without starting from scratch.
- Reliable Compiler: Version 6.0 includes a robust compiler that produces executable files faster and more efficiently than previous versions, improving application performance.
- Wizard Tools: Visual Basic 6.0 is equipped with new Wizard tools, which simplify application development by automating specific tasks, making development quicker and less complex.
- Advanced Controls and Language Structure: It features more sophisticated built-in controls and an improved, more structured Visual Basic language, offering greater functionality and flexibility.
- ActiveX and Internet Capabilities: Visual Basic 6.0 has enhanced ActiveX capabilities and improved internet facilities, making it suitable for developing web-integrated applications.
- Enhanced Data Access: It offers faster and more reliable data access methods, crucial for creating high-performance database applications.
When choosing to learn Visual Basic 6.0, it’s important to select the edition that best fits your needs, as Visual Basic 6.0 is available in different versions.
Choosing the Right Visual Basic Edition
To learn Visual Basic effectively according to your needs, you should choose the appropriate edition. Like other commercial software, Visual Basic 6.0 was marketed in several editions, including:
Visual Basic Standard Edition (Learning Edition)
The Standard Edition, also known as the Learning Edition, includes the fundamental tools of Visual Basic 6.0, suitable for developing basic to intermediate applications. It’s designed for learners and hobbyists.
Visual Basic Professional Edition
The Professional Edition provides additional tools and features required by professional developers. This includes extra controls, a compiler for creating help files, internet programming tools, and enhanced database development capabilities, targeting professional application development.
Visual Basic Enterprise Edition
The Enterprise Edition is tailored for programmers developing remote computing or client/server applications, typically used for creating applications in networked environments. It includes tools for team development, database management, and deploying applications across networks.
Select the Visual Basic 6.0 edition that aligns with your programming needs and skill level. For beginners, the Standard Edition or Learning Edition is recommended. Semi-professional to professional programmers would benefit more from the Professional Edition. The Enterprise Edition is best suited for expert developers working on large-scale, networked applications.
For someone starting to learn Visual Basic from the ground up, the Visual Basic 6.0 Standard Edition is the most appropriate choice. Once you gain proficiency, you can explore the more advanced features of other Visual Basic 6.0 editions.
This guide has provided comprehensive information and a learning path for Visual Basic programming. Now is the perfect time to start learning and create your first program!
