CSCI 220 Introduction to Programming with Visual Basic
History and Background

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I.      History of Programming
  A.    Earliest Examples
    1.Sumerian Algorhythms
    2.Al Kharythmi by Al Jabbar
    3.Pascaline 1659
    4.Analytical Engine 1834
    5.Lady Ada

  B.Birth of programming languages:
    1.Eniac -cords and wires
    2.Grace Hopper and A0- first compiler
    3.(first bug--- origins of debugging)

  C.Higher level languages
    1.Fortran- 1st practical higher level lang.
    2.COBOL- Business oriented language
    3.PASCAL - The teaching language
    4.BASIC - the hobbiest's language
    5.QuickBASIC - BASIC comes of age
    6.Object oriented programming (C, PASCAL)
    7.Next generation languages (Hypertalk, Visual BASIC)

II.Windows:
  A.General Characteristics
    1.GUI
    2.Graphically based
    3.Multiple ways to do things
    4.User-driven
    5.Device independance
    6.Event oriented
    7.Mouse is critical
    8.Multi-tasking

  B.Programming differences
    DOS                                         
      Programmer in control...
      User has few options
      Computer 'trains' user                    
      Programmer's job to anticipate user's wishes.     
      Procedural program design                 
      Programmer directly responsible for all device control            
      User interface completely up to programmer                
      Generally easier to program, harder to use                
    WINDOWS
      User in control
      Object oriented program design
      Device - independant control
      Standardized user interface
      Generally harder to program, easier to use

  Getting to Visual Basic in the Lab
    Get to main windows area
    Show Applications window if necessary
    Choose CSCI group by double-clicking on it.
    Double-Click on Visual Basic 3.0
    Double-Click on Microsoft Visual Basic icon
    Minimize Program manager

Guided Tour of VB

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  Parts of the VB Editor
    Menu bar
    Tool Bar
    Tool Box
    Project Window
    Properties Box
    Using Menu bar to show, hide other components
  Naming a form
    Click on the form to 'select' it
    Click on the properties box
    Click on the Name property to select it.
    You will probably have to scroll through a list
    Highlight the editing part of the properties box.
    Change the name to Myfirst
    Notice that the object name in the properties box has changed
    Also note that the caption (at the top of the form has not)
    Use the same procedure to change the form's CAPTION property to 
      {your name}'s First VB program
      (using your own name, of course!)
    Examine other properties of the form, but do not change them randomly
  Adding a picture box
    Show the Toolbox if it is hidden
    Click on the Picture box icon (the cactus picture)
    Drag a small area on the form.  This is your picture box
    Change the shape of the box with the 'handles'
    Change the background color of the box
    Double-click on the BackColor icon
    Choose a color for your box from the pallette
    Change if you don't like the first
  Add some code to the picture box
    Double-click on the picture box.  This will bring up the code window
    First, decide the algorhythm
    then implement it

  Some concepts:
    Object oriented syntax:
      OBJECT.PROPERTY
	sometimes FORM.OBJECT.PROPERTY
	Note the periods and lack of spaces
      Variable = Value
	Read 'Variable gets value'
	NOT equality
	for our purposes tonight, an object property is a variable
    Save the program:
      TWO different files:
      Form has .FRM extension
	Contains description of form, its objects and code
      Project has .MAK extension
	essentially a list of the forms in the program
      Use Disk icon on toolbar... Safest way to be sure everything is saved
	Name FORM A:MYFIRST.FRM  
	Save Project as A:VB1.MAK
	Look at the default name given and ALWAYS use the same extension
	If you are confused about this, use NO extension at all.
	VB will guess better than you.
 
  Test the program
    Press the Play button on the toolbar.  You will see your program running
    Click on the form outside the box.  Nothing should happen
    Click inside the box.  The window should change colors.
    If it worked, dance and sing.  If not, curse.      In either case, hit the stop button to return
    Make at least two more boxes like the first one.  
    Save and test your program

Leave your program in the box at the front of the lab.