Chapter 2 Build Your First Project A Step-by-Step Approach 2 Exploring Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Copyright © 1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. By Carlotta Eaton

Chapter 2Build Your

First Project

A Step-by-Step Approach

2

Exploring Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0Copyright © 1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.

By Carlotta Eaton

Exploring MS Visual Basic 6

Copyright 1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 2

Objectives

Describe compilers, interpreters, source code files, pseudo code files, native code files, and executable files.

Describe the steps in building an application program.

Describe the steps in building a project with Visual Basic.

Create a Visual Basic project following the step-by-step approach.



Programmer’s Lingo

Program - detailed set of instructions for a computer

Programming Language - tool used to create a program; defined by semantics and syntax

Semantics - the meaning of words in a language

Syntax - rules for combining symbols of a language




Source Code (code) - program you write using a programming language

Interpreter - translates and executes source code statement by statement




Interpreter Process




Compiler - translates source code into an executable file

Executable file - standalone file that runs outside the Visual Basic environment; Used to distribute most Windows applications

Package and Deployment Wizard(Application Setup Wizard in VB5) - creates all the files necessary to distribute your projects




Compiler Process




Pseudo Code (P-code) - intermediate step between source code and native code

Native Code (machine language) -instructions the computer can execute directly

Dynamic Link Library (DLL) - translates instructions in executable file at runtime



Steps in Building a Project

1. Define the Problem2. Design and Plan3. Build the Program4. Run the Program5. Test and Debug6. Document Your Program7. Compile and Distribute Your

Program




Step 1 - Define the Problem Decide exactly what problem you

want to solve Or task you want to perform Understand what needs to be done Specification - details of your problem

definition




Step 2 - Design and Plan Most important step of the process Find a step-by-step solution to your

problem Algorithm - step-by-step solution to a

problem Design User Interface; draw sketches

of screens, graphics, text and button




Step 3 - Build the Program Translate your solution using the

programming language Coding - writing a program in a

programming language Create the user interface, set properties Write code for commands and

instructions




Step 4 - Run the Program Run the program in the programming

environment Visual Basic Interactive Development

Environment for VB Simply click the Start button




Step 5 - Test and Debug Testing - running your program and

looking for errors Debugging - process of removing

errors from a program Bug - error in a program Repeat until your program runs as

designed




Step 6 - Document your Program Very important if program will be

updated in the future Documentation - consists of notes

and materials that describes a program

Organize the documentation




Step 7 - Compile and Distribute Proceed to this step only after all

bugs have been discovered and removed

Distribute program to end user End User - the target audience for

your final program



Steps in Building a Deck

1. Define the Problem - deck for grill, table and 4 chairs

2. Design and Plan - sketch a floor plan3. Build the Deck - oops, forgot stairs4-5. Run, Test, and Debug - as we built6. Document the Work - receipts and plans7. Compile and Distribute - invite friends for

a cookout to share and enjoy new deck



Critique the Process

Programming is a building processMake-or-buy decision - build it or buy it Look for flaws before buildingMuch easier and less expensive to

correct flaws during specification stepWork smart; gather documentation

throughout processTest and debug to avoid dissatisfied

customers and potential lawsuits



Build a Visual Basic Application



Build a Visual Basic Application

1. Define the Problem 2. Design and Plan3. Build the Program4. Run the Program5. Test and Debug6. Document your Program7. Compile and Distribute



Build Your First Application

Hands-On Exercise 1 Create a New Project Set Visual Basic Options Restart Visual Basic Create the Initial Screen Create the Final Screen Add an Image to the Final Screen Save Your Project Run Your Project Close the Project and Exit Visual Basic



Project Files

vbp extension = Visual Basic Project file that tracks all components

frm extension = Form file separate file for each form

frx extension = Binary form file cannot be read by humans

vbw extension = Visual Basic workspace



The File Menu

Project commands

Make executable commands

Most recent project list

Exit command



The File Menu

New ProjectOpen ProjectAdd ProjectRemove ProjectSave ProjectSave Project As

Save Component Save Component

AsPrintPrint Setup



The File Menu

Template - particular pattern for a project or a project element; start a project from a template saves time

Existing tab - displays VB projectsRecent tab - displays most recently

accessed projectsProject Groups - a collection of several

projects



Using the Code Editor

GUI (Graphical User Interface) - forms and windows that the user sees

Property - a characteristic or attribute of an object such as color and size

Event - a user action such as clicking a button

Code Editor window - editor specially designed to help you when writing code



Testing and Debugging

Humans are not perfectRarely code programs right the

first timeTest to find problemsDebug to correct problemsFirst bug - Grace Hopper story



Code, Test and Debug Your First Application

Hands-On Exercise 2 Open the Hello World Project Change the Form’s properties Change the Command Button’s properties Change the Label’s properties Change the Image’s property Add Code for the Click Here button Add Code for the Exit button Save and Run your project Test and Debug your project Exit Visual Basic



Documenting your Project

Insert Banner Comments in your code Comment - coding statement used by

humans not the compiler or interpreter Each organization may have different

requirements, check with your instructor Explain purpose of each major section See example on next slide



Banner Comments

‘*************************************

‘ Programmer: Carlotta Eaton

‘ Date: June 30, 1998

‘ Source: Hello World.vbp

‘ ID: Chapter 2 Hands-On 1

‘ Purpose: Practice steps to create

‘ a Visual Basic project

‘ Inputs: None

‘ Returns: None

‘***************************************



Documenting Your Project

Follow Code Conventions, and Print your Code Conventions make your code easier

to read and understand Use block indenting Print code and put in documentation

folder



Distributing Your Project

Remove all bugs firstCreate an executable file

Pull down File menu, and select Make Project exe command or

Use Package and Deployment Wizard (previously called Setup Wizard)



Document and Distribute Your First Application

Hands-On Exercise 3 Open the Hello World Project Add Banner Comments Add Procedure Comments Save and Run the Project Print the Project Make an EXE file Test your Executable Project



Summary ...

Key terms defined such as compiler and executable file

Use a systematic process to create a Visual Basic project

Spend more time planning and designing and less time writing, testing and debugging



SummaryStep-by-Step Process

1. Define the problem2. Design and Plan the Solution3. Build the Program4. Run the Program5. Test and Debug 6. Document your project7. Compile and Distribute



Practice with Visual Basic

1. Birthday Card2. Moving, Docking and Resizing

Windows3. Package and Deployment Wizard4. Building a Simple Program Step

by Step



Case Studies

Special Occasion CardThe Development ExchangeVisual Basic NewsgroupsVisual Basic Coding Conventions

Documents

Chapter 2 Build Your First Project A Step-by-Step Approach 2 Exploring Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Copyright © 1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. By Carlotta Eaton