Programming Using Visual Basic

Created by Mr. Phil Giansante
Updated: October 2005

Click here to view the website for this unit

Third quarter.

This unit introduces students to computer science concepts. Students learn about the stages in software design; the fundamental programming constructs of sequence, selection, and repetition; the functions of internal and external computer components; the relationship among networks, operating systems, and application software and their uses; and how programming languages evolve. Students also develop an awareness of computer-related careers and the impact of computers and associated technologies.

Emphasis will be placed on designing programs for "real world" applications.

What are the overarching goals of the unit ?

The student should be able to:

• Be introduced to the Visual Basic Programming Environment
• Learn and utilizie Coding Conventions, Efficient Coding, Proper Programming Style
• Learn to store values using Variables
• Learn to use Controls and Objects (Properties, Events, Methods)
• Learn to use Decision structures
• Learn to use Looping structures

Concepts & Skills: 10-15 specific content learnings in this unit. Measurable statements of what the students should know & understand (Declarative Knowledge) and be able to do (Procedural Knowledge).

The student will ...

General

• Demonstrate proper care of all computer equipment.
• Demonstrate positive attitudes, work habits, and interpersonal and organizational skills.

The Programming Environment

• Identify the components of the Visual Basic interface
• Customize the Visual Basic environment
• Use Help Resourses Effectively (online Help, MSDN site, web sites, newsgroups)
• Compile and run an application

Programming Concepts

• The basic philosophy of programming with Visual Basic
• Effective Graphical User Interface (GUI) Design
• Describe the three error types (syntax, run-time, logic)
• Test and Debug Applications

Controls and Objects

• Describe the relationships among controls, events, properties, and methods
• Place controls on a form and set properties at design-time
• Add code to a control's events
• Use the basic Windows controls (Labels, CommandButtons, TextBoxes, ListBoxes, Option Buttons, Check Boxes, ScrollBars)
• Enable and disable controls
• Add a custom control to the environment
• Change the tab order, Set a tab stop
• Use control arrays
• Use the Control Naming Standards

Forms

• Add a Form to a project
• Use Form methods and events
• Set the application's startup Form

Menus

• Use the Menu Editor to create Multi-Level Menus
• Create a Menu with Access Keys and Separators
• Disabling Menu Items
• Create an "Exit" dialog box
• Create an "About" Dialog box

Variables and Constants

• Differentiate between variables and constants
• Define the scope of code and variables
• Declare variables and constants
• Use built-in constants

DialogBoxes

• Design and display a MessageBox with different options using built-in constants
• Get input from a user using an InputBox
• Validate user Input and re-prompt if necessary (with informative error message)

Functions and Procedures

• Create and use a code module
• Differentiate between functions and subs
• Call a procedure
• Use a recursive procedure

Decision Structures

• Use logical conditions (And, Or, Not)
• Use comparitors (<, >, =, <=, >=, <>)
• If...Then...Else
• Select Case

Repetition Structures

• For...Next
• Do While
• Do Until

File Access

• Describe file access methods
• Read from and write to a sequential file
• Parse information from a sequential file

Error Trapping

• Create an error trap
• Write an error handling routine

Data Structures - Arrays

• Use one-dimensional arrays
• Use multi-dimensional arrays
• Use loop operations with arrays
• Sort Data in Arrays using a Bubble Sort

Miscellaneous Topics

• Implement drag-and-drop features
• Send information to the Printer
• Use the Windows Clipboard to Cut, Copy and Paste Text and Graphics
• Use the Bubble Sort
• Add a Windows Help File to your Programs

MDI (Multiple Document Interface)

• Creating a Container (Parent) Form
• Creating / Unloading Child Forms
• Arranging Forms (ie. Tile, Cascade)

What assessments and evidence is necessary to assess student understanding ?

Assessment of understanding is accomplished through practical computer assignments.

All assignments for this unit are posted online on the unit website. A link to the unit website is provided at the top of this document.

What are the linguistic and cultural implications of the language in this unit ?
What strategies will assist in making this language accessible ?

The world of technology has its own distinct vocabulary, terminology and acronymns. In addition, due to the rapidly changing world of technology, new terms are coming into existence every day while others fall out of use.

This unit introduces many words that may be unfamiliar to the student.

The skills learned in this unit may be applied to many other subjects.

• Online notes by Mr. P. Giansante
• Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0
• Visual Basic 4.0 Help File