[Ghaleon]

I'm looking to get into visual basic and have a couple very elementary questions.

1). What do I do it on? Is there a free interface with which I could get started? Or do I need to buy a program?

2). Where do i learn? I've found tons of online tutorials via google. Are any of these particularly good for a newbie?

Thanks for the help.

[yto_daniel]

To get started with Visual Basic, you'll need to buy a package that comes with Visual Basic. Such as Visual Studio.

Daniel - YourTechOnline.com technician
danielr@no_spam_yourtechonline.com (remove no_spam_)

[Kelly_in_LA]

Hi Ghaleon.

You "might" benefit from my recent experiences. On the other hand, you may find nothing of value in what I have to say. Either way, I figure it doesn't hurt to put the information out there.

My response is long, so let me summarize:

-The first half of my response is about VBA

-The second half is about VB

______________________________________________________________

I have been using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) for several years. VBA looks exactly like "pure" Visual Basic. In VBA, you can do even what advanced VB programmers would do (e.g., API calls, ActiveX controls, creating your own objects, etc). However, VBA is usually used in a more limited way. VBA is commonly used for short procedural code to write "macros" in Excel or Word.

If you are looking to get a taste of VB without spending anything at all, then my first question would be: do you have Word 97 or greater? If so, then you can use the VB editor that is "hidden" in Word. The same is true for Excel. Additionally, if you have the install disks for either of these programs then you can even install the VBA help files which contain many code examples. If you want to see where the "hidden" VB editor is in Word, then try this page on my website:

Learn about the "hidden" VB editor in MS Word

Just read the vbawelcome.html page. I don't necessarily recommend my sample macros to you because they are specialized to Word rather than VB in general. But you are welcome to experiment with them if you like.

Also, you can even design VB UserForms (which can serve as the actual application window for your future program) from within Word or Excel VBA. To see how, view the pictures I am attaching.


________
________



Now, a few words about the "real" VB. Check out these links:

http://visualbasic.about.com/od/lear...bsbs1102_2.htm
Author Dan Mabbutt talks about how VB .NET (the most recent version of VB) is actually free. (not a gimmick.) Read where he says "here's a little secret: Visual Basic .NET is free! Yes, you heard me right, free"

http://msdn.microsoft.com/netframewo.../framework1_1/
This is the microsoft site that Dan Mabbutt mentions for downloading the free VB. I haven't tried it, but even microsoft claims that the free SDK contains "the .NET Framework 1.1, as well as everything you need to write, build, test, and deploy applications using the .NET Framework 1.1, including documentation, samples, and command-line tools and compilers."

Of course, if you have never used downloadable SDKs before for VB or any other language, then it may be "dangerous." You will be adding a lot of files to your computer, sometimes in hard-to-find places, and likely you'll get new registry keys, too. If any of this makes you nervous, then trust your gut. Or try it on your friend's computer first (hah!)

http://www.libertybasic.com/
A non-microsoft, low-budget version of a VB environment.

http://www.freebyte.com/programming/...s/envelop.html
A free VB compiler

Also, I bought the entire Visual Studio for 90 bucks (yes, ninety) on http://www.academicsuperstore.com/

To get the special prices on academicsuperstore, you need to be enrolled in a college. I am taking one night class at a community college, and I simply scanned an image of my student ID card and emailed it to academicsuperstore to become eligible for the special pricing.

So, there are always bargains out there to be found.
Good luck to you!
-Kelly

[Ghaleon]

I just realized that I forgot to reply to this post. Thank you so much; it was the perfect intro. I'm tinkering with vba via microsoft word as we speak.

[lunapero]

vb.net is what you will want to get into, that is if you intend to make money. same thing only a wee bit more powerfull. free beta tools here.
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/expres...c/default.aspx