3 comments about Visual Basic: Programmer's Reference.

1. This Programmers Reference follows in the format of other References from Osborne, and like the other references, suffers from the same bad binding, which does not allow the book to sit flat on the desk. Something I consider essential for a reference book as I usually need to type while reading something. Not possible. The index is redundant, as it simply lists the keywords in the reference, rather than being a keyword/subject cross-reference, which is really what is needed. Some of the entries suffer from "cut and paste" syndrome, where paragraphs have obviously been chopped from another section, but not modified for their new placement, leading, for instance, to the Oct$ section talking about Hexadecimal numbers. The second half of the book contains some very useful information on Object Models, unfortuanately it is hard to find what you are looking for, and again reflects a hurried attempt to throw the book together. Compared to the C++ Programmers Reference (that I also use) this book is a definite disappointment.



2. I think this book irreplacable on my reference shelf. I use it everyday for work. If you do any Visual Basic work, I recommend that you get this book. It's only $15 and it has already paid for itself several times over. I use this book every day, and highly recommend it to anyone. A previous reviewer complained about a bad binding (true) and simple index. Since the all the language and method entries are alphabetic, I never really looked at the index. I also always use the `See Also' listings at the end of each term to find related commands.



3. I am a learn as you go vb programmer. This book was constantly by my side and used more than all my other books combined. It is a fast and easy way to check the syntax and parameters of a statemets.Two complaints: 1. Examples were given of instructions, but not results. Sometimes it was not clear to me exactly what the statement would do. 2. No reference of statements by type. For example, if working with time and dates, you have to be familiar with the various statements, no list of all time and date statements.

No comments about Programming in Visual Basic (Complete Course Texts).

5 comments about MCSD: Visual Basic 6 Distributed Applications Study Guide.

1. AS with the Desktop (70-176) book in this series the full syllabus in not covered - where are Resource Managers? Shared property manager etc.

   Also misleading - as with desktop book.

   You will learn something - but not all you need!




2. This book has too many obvious errors. Yes, it will help you but why pay for a book that has poor publishing and proofreading. If the publisher/author would like to contact me ... please post a comment here.



3. Do not purchase this book. I have completed seven chapters and have come across two clear errors in the review questions. Readers attempting to prepare for the Visual Basic 6.0 Distributed Applications exam must have accurate information in the text AND accurate answers to the review questions.



4. This book explains VB 6 in simple language so that even the idiot can understand VB 6 features. However, the content is simple as well and can't help you to pass the exam.

   Try the exam guide by Howard Hawhee. I'm not sure whether it is the best, but it is second to none so far.




5. This book will not help to pass the exam. The questions are not even similar to the exam's questions. Some things in the book are over explained, that you could think that the reader never have seen VB before, and other more complicated topics are just touched.
   I would not recommend this book, not only because of waisted money, but because of waisted time.

No comments about Visual Masters for Teaching Basic Programming.

1 comments about Microsoft Visual Basic 5.0: Activex Controls Reference (Visual Basic 5.0 Documentation Library).

1. I WAS VERY EAGEARLEY TO READ THIS BOOK PLS SEND IT IMMEDIATELY I WANT TO GO TO ABROAD PLS SEND IT IMMEDIATELY.

   REGARDS

No comments about Real-World Programming With Visual Basic/Book and Cd-Rom.

4 comments about Visual Basic 6.

1. I and another instructor used this as a textbook for a visual basic desktop development course. We both thought it was excellent. We liked that the author covers 19 specific skills at the introductory level. It was not over taxing for the beginner, yet it gave an excellent overview of what could be done in a single-user environment.

   There is no discussion of using VB6 in the enterprise (nor should there be at this level). There are other excellent texts that deal in more detail with database programming, and those should definitely be the next step for someone interested in business applications, but this book will get the beginner actually writing complete desktop applications.

   What does it lack? In-depth discussion/application of object oriented programming. Database applications. In-depth examples on ActiveX and COM. Anything you might be looking for if you have already been programming in Visual Basic for more than a year.

   That is not to fault this book at what its purpose was -> get a newbie up to speed in VB6. We teach more advanced courses and use other books for those. This is an excellent introduction to VB6. Highly recommended for the beginner to intermediate programmer.




2. Well it is not bad , but i had so much difficulties in the start i guess cause the author don't explain some codes so i had to rely on MSDN help to help me understanding some codes , but i did understand good at the end of the book so i guess you need to read all book before you really can grasp visual basic , i liked Mastering Visual Basic 6 it was just great but Visual basic in record time was not a bad start you need at least to know a little on Visual basic if you want to read Mastering Visual basic



3. Although it is probably not the author's intent, this is the funniest programming book I have ever read. (Yes, even funnier than Mr. Bunny's Big Cup o' Java.) A co-worker and I have been laughing out loud after reading parts of it.

   My favourite part so far is the introduction to variables. The author describes memory as a sheet of graph paper, and points out that if one had enough graph paper to represent 16 megabytes, it would take up an area "approximately 85.33 feet wide and 85.33 feet high." (What is 'approximate' about taking a measurement to two decimal places? Why would it be measured in height and width instead of length and width? Am I supposed to imagine all those sheets of graph paper standing on end?) He goes on to point out that if each square of graph paper actually represented a bit instead of a byte, then 16 megabytes would actually cover three football fields. (In case people don't know what graph paper or a football field looks like, there are illustrations of each.)

   After instructing the reader to imagine three football fields covered in graph paper, comes the punchline: "Now that you have a general idea of what memory looks like, you can start to understand how the different variable types work." Priceless!

   Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe this guy was intentionally trying to be funny. He later mentions that a programmer "will invariably start using variables" and defines Constants this way: "Constants are nonvariable variables."

   In short, if you are already a programmer, pick this up for the laughs. Everyone else should leave it in the bargain bin.




4. I'm reading this book to learn visual basic 6.0. I agree that some parts are not clear, I hate the part about the status bar because it doesn't explain it well.

   Stuff that rules:
   Great Introduction
   Great Coverage
   Book cover is nice
   If you misread the author's name you might think that "the crocodile hunter" has written it!
   No typos in codes and litterature

   Stuff that sucks:
   Sometimes Confusing
   Layout of the book is poor (it explains the toolbox and all the controls AFTER you have made your first program (!!!))

   overall get this book if you are desperite... Great intro... But then get "Doing Objects in visual basic"

No comments about Kit 2: Vbscript and Activex.

5 comments about Mcsd Visual Basic 6 Desktop Applications: Study Guide ( Exam 70-176 ) (MCSD Certification).

1. I just passed my exam yesterday, in large part due to this book. I used it first in my studies to get a good overview of the exam subject areas. Then I used other sources (Exam Cram, New Riders) to get a deeper exposure to the material.

   The sample exam questions are easier than the actual exam, so don't get too carried away with high practice scores.

   If you buy it, be sure and go straight to the Syngress web site They have posted the corrections to the text. Good luck.




2. You'll find multiple errors in this book, and as of now, no way to easily find corrections at the publisher's website: There is NO direct link to the information from what I could see. I finally was able to find what I needed by using hotbot and google to find the page still sitting on their web server, unlinked to the rest of their content.

   This book is very basic: If you're already somewhat familiar with VB and/or VBA, the first 3-4 chapters are pretty much a wash: You'll get little useful content from them. The authors of this book also seem like they're trying to find 'filler' material, as the book walks you step-by-step through installing EACH version of Visual Basic 6. Nearly 20 pages are dedicated to helping you click "Next" at each setup dialog. Silly.

   I'd recommend this book to someone brand new to Visual Basic who really is starting from scratch. For programmers who are already pretty good with the product, look at O'Reilly's MCSD In a Nutshell: You won't get a guided tour of each VB control and feature, but it's a much more complete work.




3. This book contained many errors, and the practice test that comes with it is very bad. I passed this test easily, but it was in spite of this book, not because of it.



4. Passed yesterday with 917. I used Microsoft's Training Kit Book and this one. This book covers 75% of what's required for the exam while Microsoft's covers about 45%.
   Although this book has some silly mistakes, it covers some of the MAJOR aspects. Exam questions at the end of the chapters are nothing like the actual exam. Real beginners will need some accompanying material for learning basic controls etc.
   No book completely covers anything. As far as i think, this one is the best around.



5. If this is the first time you are learing about VB, don't buy this book. The text, the code and the review questions are riddled with errors. I don't think they used an editor during the writing process because some of the text is confusion and wordy. If you buy this book use a seperate book to practice code. DO NOT USE THE CODE IN THIS BOOK TO STUDY.

No comments about ALTALASOFT DEBUTS IMGX CONTROLS V. 6 FOR VISUAL BASIC/.NET.: An article from: Imaging Update.