Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6

Rating:
Summary: A great starting point for beginners
Review: If you're a complete beginner to programming, this is an excellent book to get you started with Visual Basic. Even if you're not a raw novice (I already knew SQL, PL/SQL, and a little VBA), it's a fine quick-start into the language. The storyline style of writing is unintimidating (one of the students in Smiley's imaginary class asks all the simple questions you're afraid to!), but it can be irritating if you're looking for a book that gets straight to the point with no fluff. This book has a fair bit of fluff. Type As, beware!

There are a few drawbacks. First off, although it does provide a working copy of Visual Basic 6, this version does not have online help enabled. However, this probably keeps the cost of the book + CD low; if you decide you enjoy VB programming, you can later spend the bucks for the learning edition of VB6 (and if you decide you don't like VB, you haven't wasted a lot of cash).

Second, this book includes one major project, plus some very quick exercises on specific topics. I would have liked more projects to try out, or perhaps a companion workbook with additional exercises and projects.

And third, this book is purely for introductory instruction. It is not a reference book, and you will need to purchase something more substantial to continue learning VB.

That said, Smiley's book is a quick and gentle intro to Visual Basic, and great for anyone who wants to learn it on his/her own.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Introduction
Review: I felt compelled to address a couple of recent negative reviews. John Smiley wrote his book for people like me who really are absolute beginners to programming. His book has three great strengths: It gives you an introduction to thinking like a programmer, it provides a method for developing projects (the Systems Development Life Cycle, or "SDLC"), and it teaches you to always program with your clients' needs in mind. To me, this last strength (which mirrors John's service orientation) is its greatest. (Also, it just so happens that the book is well written. The comment that the book "looked as if it had been written by a 13-year-old for his "teacher-for-a-day" class" is unwarranted and thoughtless.)

And as for the comment that "you will not be proficient in VB after reading this book", that reviewer is probably right. I've read through the book, done all the exercises, and even taken notes. Do I consider myself "proficient in VB"? Of course not. However, that's not the purpose of the book. The purpose is to "Learn to Program", like the title says; Visual Basic 6.0 just happens to be the vehicle John uses.

I recommend this book highly, and I'm confident I'll be able to move on to other books that do address VB in greater depth.

Rating:
Summary: I think it's a great book
Review: Let me begin by saying that I'm the author, so let's get that out of the way.

I'm posting here to point out that the book has a tremendous amount of support materials that have never been advertised. Each of my books has a support page containing a current list of errata, downloadable files (completed exercises from the book), extra links to extra materials I have written and my email address in the event you have problems. I also run a series of online classes so that if you would like to learn with me in a more structured setting, you can do that also. You can access those materials via this link

http://www.johnsmiley.com/books.htm

I should also say that this book isn't for everyone---and you can read through some of the other reviews posted here to see why and why not.

I wrote this book for beginner level programmers, and the book is written in a unique style.

You (and I) can thank the now defunct Wrox Publishing house for the style of the book that some people absolutely love and others (primarily hotshot programmers with lots of experience) hate. The book is written as if you are participating in an actual classroom---many people, particularly those learning on their own or in an Independent study setting find comforting.

My thanks to the many people who have written to me to tell me how much they've enjoyed my books and how they have helped them achieve their goals of learning to program.

John Smiley

Rating:
Summary: Good Acquaitance to Visual Basic
Review: This book covers mainly using controls, using variables, customizing the environment and some event handling. It doesn't have much on programming databases or web applications. It is not a complete reference for the language but it is useful.

This is a good book to have on your shelf if you want to look up how to do a particular programming technique. However it doesn't have all the tricks of the trade that a Visual Basic Programmer would have to use. Some of the wording is a little long winded and perhaps a waste of text but that is just the authors style. I typically like a more straight forward style however it might be entertaining to some. The author does have a very understandable teaching style and speaks in plain english.

This book definetly has a much better teaching method than trying to teach yourself through one giagantic hit or miss project that must work the first time through. I have read some books that have only a single project as the example. It is a little frustrating to have to read cover-to-cover to complete only 1 project when there should be 10 or 15 projects to get a grasp of the language. This is not the case with this book.

This book includes very small concise exercises that are relativly easy to follow through. They exhibit how to add certain features to your own programs. I'm sure there are better books out there with more serious nuts and bolts programming but this one isn't a waste of your money. I wish this book was a huge manual filled with the authors programming techniques. I would pay $100 or more if it did.

I recomend this book far over 1001 Visual Basic Programmer Tips. The best knowlege I have is through expiramenting with programs. Did you know you can make Microsofts Slot Machine example generate random numbers by placing randomize in the next line after every rnd. I would also recomend numbering your source code lines to make repeating code easier and maintaining the code easier.

Rating:
Summary: Best VB Learning Approach
Review: John Smiley presents a complete learning environment that builds a solid programming foundation. Each book individually and collectively engages and immerses the novice programmer into the richness of the Visual Basic development environment without overwhelming you in its complexity. From Learn to Program with Visual Basic, through Databases and Objects I found learning VB programming fun, and instructive at the same time. John's use of examples to support the development of a "real world" programming task proved important in understanding VB programming, the Integrated Development Environment and it various features or tools. Using the same program, you helped create, through three books dealing with different aspects of VB programming helped solidify the programming experience, and enhance learning. More than anything else, John comes out of those pages as your guide and mentor allowing you to pick up those intangibles that come from a skilled programmer, and educator. He leaves you, and encourages further study, having given you the fundamentals to go on and tackle more advanced VB topics, because you now know how to program with VB. I kid you not. I jumped into learning VB using the MS Visual Basic Programmer's guide, and various MSDN materials. It was like going up hill in snow and ice, I wasn't getting anywhere fast! After going through John's three books, MS VB programmers guide, and other materials just fell into place, because I now had the VB skills and knowledge to appreciate and understand the presented material.

Rating:
Summary: A must have!
Review: I'm a hobbyist, not an IT professional, and have been programming in BASIC since I bought my first PC in the 70's. When I decided to tackle Visual Basic to write programs for Windows, I purchased five "how-to" books on the subject. Unfortunately for me, John Smiley's book was the last one I bought. If I had ordered "Learn to Program" first, I could have saved more than $100. This is a clear, concise, and sure-fire way for the beginner or experienced BASIC programmer to transition to the powerful yet simple language of Visual Basic. John Smiley's book easily allows the reader to understand the concepts of event driven programming and the differences from procedural driven programming. Consider it a "must have" for the novice with little or no programming experience.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!!!
Review: An excellent read for the beginner in all of us the way the book is laid out actually pulls you in and makes you feel you are right there in the classroom and he also sticks to one full blown kick a** program Not a whole bunch of small ones. So you never get lossed and talking about commitment I had a question and emailed John(the author) on it and he answered me within 24hrs this book and any of Johns books in my oppinnion is well worth the money and you can tell he loves to teach we need more mentors like him in the world today.

Thanks
Mike
http://www.searchnlink.com
http://www.hitngo.com

Rating:
Summary: Learn to Program Visual Basic Database
Review: After reading this book. I was able to make some changes to a tardytrakeing system we have at school. The Best Part about this book is Mr. John Smiley makes it very easy to understand, even if you have very little knowledge of access and visual basic.

Rating:
Summary: A tutorial to keep you interested
Review: I wanted to learn some Visual Basic programming skills and have tried several books over the past couple of years. The problem was that the format was always similar to a 1950's maths text book; very difficult to work through and boring.

Then I discovered John Smiley's excellent book "Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6". This held my interest because no preknowledge is assumed and it is quite honestly the best text book that I have ever come across. There are far too many authors out there who could follow John Smiley's example and consider the fact that not every student has an immense IQ able to soak up every item of information like a sponge. A good teacher has to be a great communicator.

Well done John and thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent source for the beginning VB programmer
Review: As a former student of Professor Smiley, I have read his book. I find that it is typical of his books. In this book, he presents examples and projects that are laced with his great teaching style and humor. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to become a programmer in Visual Basic 6.0. Since being a student of Professor Smiley, I've gone on to owning my own software company. Do yourself a favor and read this book. You won't be sorry! It is excellent! Thank you Professor Smiley!