An Introduction to Computers and Visual Basic Chapter 1 An Introduction to Computers and Visual Basic Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Outline and Objectives Introduction to Computers Using Windows Files and Folders An Introduction to Visual Basic Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Parts of a Computer System: Hardware: Electronic Devices Software: Instructions and Computer Programs Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Main components of Hardware: Input : Keyboard, Mouse System unit: Random Access Memory (RAM) Central Processing Unit (CPU) Output: Monitor, Printer Secondary Storage: Disk Drive Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Random Access Memory (RAM) Stores program instructions and data needed for processing. Stores intermediate and final results of processing. Contents are erased when computer is turned off or reset. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Programming Languages: Machine Language High level Language Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider Machine Language The fundamental language of the computer’s processor, also called Low Level Language. All programs are converted into machine language before they can be executed. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider High Level Language Computer (programming) languages that are easier to learn. Uses English like statements. Examples are C++, Visual Basic, and Java Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider Software: Instructions for the hardware. A collection of instructions is called a program. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider Using Windows Basic techniques to use the mouse: Pointing Clicking Dragging Double-Clicking Hovering Notepad is used extensively in this course to create data files most of the concept discussed here will be used in Visual Basic and other Window,s applications Title Bar: Untitled Menu Bar: File Edit Search Help Work Area Vertical Scroll Bar Horizontal Scrollbar Notepad is called text editor Enter key: To start a new line Backspace Key: erase a character Home Key to move the cursor to the beginning of the line End Key: to move to the end of the line How to save a file Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Key Terms in using Windows Title Bar Active window Dragging a window Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider Using Windows Reviewing Notepad to learn more about Windows applications Notepad is an item in the Accessories menu Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider Files & Folders: A disk can store thousands of files. To organize your files you have to store them in different folders (directories). The default extension for a file created with Notepad is TXT. Esc key used in Notepad to remove a dialog box Clicking on the Maximize button of a window makes the window fill the entire screen Clicking on the Minimize button of a window changes the window into an icon Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Key Terms in using Folders Root folder Path: A nested sequence of folders Example: A:\Temp\MyProjects\ File Specification: A drive letter, path, and filename Example: A:\Temp\MyProjects\Example.vbp Think of a disk as a large folder, called the root folder, that contains several smaller folders each with its own name. The naming of folders follow the same rule as naming files Each folder is identified by listing its name preceded by a backslash A filespec typically includes the drive, path and the filename. File is identified by a small directory or folder is identified by a folder icon executable file: is identified by a rectangle with a thin bar across top Go over: How to create a folder to rename a folder to delete a folder or file to Copy a folder or file To move a folder or file Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

History of Visual Basic: BASIC stands for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. BASIC was developed by John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz in mid-1960s. Visual Basic was released in 1991 by the Microsoft Corporation. VB 1.0 was developed in 1991. It was followed by ver 2.0 in 1992, ver 3.) in 1993, ver 4.0 in 1995, ver5.0 in 1997. VB comes in four edition : 1. Learning 2. Professional 3. Enterprise 4.Control Creation Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Introduction to Visual Basic: A language used to create windows applications. Programs are developed with a Graphical User Interface or GUI. The instructions executed in the program are controlled by events. Visual Basic %5.0 requires the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system. One of the key elements of planning VB application is deciding what the user sees., in other words designing the screen. In VB , the responsive objects a program designer places o windows are called controls. Programs in conventional programming languages run from top down. A VB program works differently, the user is in control by activating an event that is recognized. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Terminology used in Visual Basic: Form Control Object Properties Event First you draw the form(s) Forms are the window that your application will use. Next you will place on the Form any Controls you might need.Controls are the graphical objects in the window. Example: Command Button that the user can click on Label Box for displaying messages on the form Text Boxes: for the user to enter text such as name or numbers Picture Boxes: which can contain drawing Each of the controls has many properties that can be customized. Example is to make the caption of the command button to be Exit Program Finally you write appropriate code for each event Here is how VB works An action is recognized by an event by some form or control. The action can be caused by user or by the system If there is code for the event, that code is executed; otherwise the event is ignored The system waits for the next event. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider

Steps to Design a Visual Basic Application Design the appearance of the window that the user sees. Determine the events that the controls on the window should recognize. Write the event procedures for those events. Step1: You draw forms you want. Forms are the windows that your application will use. If your application requires more than one form, you will have to create the rest of the forms. VB will create the first form of every application for you. Because every application must have at least one form. Step 2: You will place on the form any controls you might need. Controls are the graphical objects in the window. Step3: Each of the controls has many properties that can be customized. Step4: Finally you write the code for appropriate events , such as when a user clicks a button. Chapter 1- Visual Basic Schneider