Introduction to Computer Programming (using MSFT’s Visual Basic Express Edition)

1. Introduction to Computer Programming (using MSFT’s Visual Basic Express Edition) January 2009 Ted S. Anderson

2. Course Outline: Deck 1 • Objectives • Hierarchy of Computer Languages • How I will teach this course? • Tools Used to Develop Code • MSFT Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition • Why choose VB.NET? • Class Book – Visual Basic Express by Mike McGrath • How I will Teach This Course? • A Program Looks Like: • Statement Execution • Chapter 1 – Getting Started • Chapter 2 – Setting properties • Chapter 3 – Using controls • Constructs: Intro to Computer Programming

3. Objectives: Course: • Introduce you to computer programming via MSFT’s VB.NET: • Design • Coding • Test Personal: • Spark your interest in problem solving and engineering. • Maybe become an “intern” or employee for BCGOV • Is the USA losing its Engineering Talent? By the end of the Course: • Be able to write a small program using Visual Basic. Intro to Computer Programming

4. Hierarchy of Computer Languages High Level Visual Basic Pascal Java C++ C Fortran ... Assembler Machine Code Micro Code Interpretive Compiled Low Level Hardware Intro to Computer Programming

5. Tools Used to Develop Code? • Command Line Interface (CLI): • ASCII Editor • Compiler • Linker • Executable (to run) • Instead: • IDE – Integrated Development Environment • WYSISYG – what you see is what you get! • Instead of command line interface • In Java world – Eclipse • All in One, Program Shell that contains: • Editor • Compiler • Debugger • Run-time environment Intro to Computer Programming

6. Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition • Free from MSFT Website • Installed on BA’s PCs in Computer Lab • Is an IDE: • Interactive Design Environment (MSFT) • Integrated Development Environment (wiki) • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_development_environment • It Is a tool!! • NOT the language! Intro to Computer Programming

7. Why choose VB.NET? • Basic is well “basic” • Hopefully, should be easier to learn. • Tool is free to download from MSFT website. • Many Beaufort County IT shops have standardized on MSFT products. • You can get a job now if you know this language -> ~$20/hour. • Used for both Windows and Web. Intro to Computer Programming

8. Class Book • “Visual Basic Express” -> Mike McGrath • Goal -> get through the book in 1 quarter • Other References: • SAMS “Teach Yourself Visual Basic 2008 in 24 hours” -> CD included • MSFT “Visual Basic 2008 Step by Step” • VB.NET Reference Sheet Intro to Computer Programming

9. How I will teach this course? • Slides – that I have created. • Go through the Book exercises in class. • Programming “Constructs” • Think of a programming “construct” as a tool in your programming toolbox used to construct a program. • First, I will introduce a programming “construct” in general terms, independent of any specific language. • Then, we will use this “construct” within the confines of MSFT Visual Basic Express Edition. • Disclaimer – I am NO expert in Visual Basic • I am learning the tool just like you! • However, I do consider myself a modest expert into the discipline of S/W Engineering. • Languages: Fortran, Pascal, C/C++, some Java Intro to Computer Programming

10. A Program Looks Like: Start of Program Public Class Form1 Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click ‘Declare a new String variable. Dim msg As String ' Assign a text value to the bariable. msg = "Hello World this is Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition!“ ' Display the variable value. MsgBox(msg) End Sub End Class Variable Declarations Variable Assignment End of Program Intro to Computer Programming

11. Statement Execution: From Top To Bottom Line by Line From Left to Right Language Made up of ASCII “Key Words” , symbols and rules Program is stored in an ASCII “flat-file” that is “interpreted” and translated into machine code. Public Class Form1 Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click ' Declare a new String variable. Dim msg As String ' Assign a text value to the bariable. msg = "Hello World this is Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition!“ ' Display the variable value. MsgBox(msg) End Sub End Class Intro to Computer Programming

12. Chapter 1 – Getting Started • Page 12 – Exploring the IDE • Page 14 – Starting a new project • Page 16 – Adding a visual control • Page 18 – Adding functional code • Page 20 – Saving projects • Page 21 – Reopening projects Intro to Computer Programming

13. Chapter 2 – Setting Properties • Page 24 – Form properties • Page 25 – Meeting the property editor • Page 26 – Editing property values • Page 28 – Coding property values • Page 30 – Applying computed values • Page 32 – Applying user values • Page 34 – Prompting for input • Page 36 – Specifying dialog properties Intro to Computer Programming

14. Chapter 2 - Summary • Common Controls: • Button common control is a simple event driven method. • Label controls merely display text does not allow user input. • Textbox controls both display text and allow user input. • Functions: • InputBox allows user input to be assigned to any property. • Unlike a MsgBox statement, a call to the InputBox should always assign the value which will be returned. • Visual Basic is NOT case-sensitive. • Data Values: • Initialized at runtime. • Changed during execution time. Intro to Computer Programming

15. Chapter 3 – Using controls • Page 40 -Tab order • Page 41 - Using Button • Page 42 - Using Textbox • Page 43 - Using ComboBox • Page 44 - Using Label • Page 45 - Using PictureBox • Page 46 – Using ListBox • Page 48 - Using CheckBox • Page 49 - Using RadioButton • Page 50 - Using WebBrowser • Page 52 - Using Timer Intro to Computer Programming

16. Constructs: • Data • Atomic Data Types • User Defined (Objects) • Variables • Used to hold (i.e. address) data; • Naming • Assignments • Types • Definition vs. Declaration? • Operators Intro to Computer Programming