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Summary: The perfect programming book for beginners
Review: This book explained everything I needed to know while I was reading through the book. When each chapter was over, I felt like I absorbed everything in it because of the excellent explainations and examples.
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Summary: Believe what you read - this book delivers
Review: Most of the reviews of this book are exceptionally positive. Belive them. I had to learn VBA (an offshoot of Visual Basic for use with MS Office - essentially the same) to use it at work. I bought the Microsoft Office 97 Step by Step VBA book and 6 chapters in I was lost and confused. What was a method? What was a property? A couple of more advanced books left me in a panic. Though not a programmer by Profession, I had programmed Xbase and COBOL. Then I saw this book. I was off. Almost finished now and I'm feeling confident. Other books I've bought on VBA make sense now. It truly is for beginers. I found the 1st 100 pages a quick read but there was info there I could use. If I had one quibble I think the program could have been a bit more challenging - it's fairly simple - but hey I'm hoping to buy another book by this author. What more needs to be said.
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Summary: Excellent book for beginners!!
Review: This is a great book for beginners. John Smiley uses the classroom setting for his teaching and really gives you a basic VB knowledge. Most importantly, he teaches you how to think like a programmer. I even believe that some advanced users might also benefit from reading his book because John really gives you an approach of how to solve basic problems that you can use in any projects. For instance, many programmers often forget to implement or revise their SDLC which is a very important step in "real-life programming". Great book John Smiley!
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Summary: The Most Visual Training Book I have ever read; enjoyable
Review: Who would have ever thought that someone/anyone could or would write a Techno manual that breathes. Not only was this the most easily formatted reading but John Smiley's talent for writing painted the pictures my Mind was thirsting for. At last a Book that utilizes an everyday scenario to teach you how to Program in the 'REAL WORLD' and not just in Theory. Par'Excellance' Master John Smiley........
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Summary: As somone that had no experience in this subject....
Review: I thought that the book was one of the easiest to understand for the beginner. I tried to read other books for the "beginner" and got lost. This book made it easy to understand and I have since started reading more advanced books on the subject with much success. If you want to lay the foundation for future success in understanding VB6, this book is a must-read!I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn and even lent my copy to a friend's son to learn.
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Summary: Blah, Blah, Blah. NO Way Man, Not This Book ! ! !
Review: If you can't stand the, boring old, above your head, approach that most computer book have, then this book is for you. The author brings you into his lively class and makes you fell like your were really there. It's like reading a novel. Short-comings are very few and by the publishing Co.; but it does not interfere with the actual learning.
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Summary: An excellent way to learn programming with Visual Basic.
Review: This book takes a unique approach to teaching programming with VB - one that really worked for me. Instead of overwhelming the reader with detailed explanations of every icon and feature (which can be found in many other books), it follows the development of a VB application from conception to completion. It really gives you the basic tools for thinking like a programmer. The chapter on the SDLC alone is worth the cost of the book. Most books teach you how to do specific tasks; this books shows you how to design and develop a project. Very readable and enjoyable - a highly satisfying way to learn to program!
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Summary: The approach of building on a particular project is genius.
Review: I was a rank beginner with Visual Basic 6 & thus the heading on the book 'For Absolute Beginners' caught my eye. Never thought I'd be able to learn this stuff. But I'm delighted to say that Mr. Smiley's approach of taking you through a particular project from conception to actual working model has, in an amazingly short time, taken me to the point where, while still a beginner, I no longer consider myself an 'absolute beginner'. I have no hesitation to recommend this book highly. In fact I have since bought his 'Databases' book and have almost finished my first run through it. For someone who didn't have a clue as to how to construct a database let alone how to interact with one in a Visual Basic program, I feel I have gone 'light years' in my understanding of this crucial area of computer literacy. No doubt there are other good books on the shelf, but you won't go wrong with John Smiley's books. I'm glad I came across it. I have also bought his 'Examples' book but there are only so many hours in the day and I haven't had a chance to get into it. Will let you know when I do.
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Summary: Compared to many Technical Books - This is GREAT!
Review: Please add my positive comments toward the review of this book. I have used dozens of books over the years to help learn computer related issues and this book is by far the best I have ever seen. Yes, it's geared toward beginners. That's why it is so good. It doesn't assume that you know anything. That even helped me. The last language I programmed in was 5 years ago before all the new object oriented concepts and event driven coding. For those who have never seen or heard the SDLC System Development Life Cycle this book has one of the best coverages I have seen. There are a couple of slight deviations in the chapter but I have written those to John Smiley as suggested revisions for his next book. I have never read a book so quickly. In just two days I have completed almost 200 of the 700+ pages. The flow of material is unrestrictive. I have seen some things that get glossed over slighlty but nothing that will cause me to not understand a concept. This book could easily be adapted to an interactive CD ROM or video. I'm happy and trust me when I say it takes a lot to impress me. I was a bit unsure before my purchase so I e-mailed Mr. Smiley and asked a couple of questions to which he gave me a very prompt and curteous reply. I bought the first book the next morning. I will buy at least some of his others. I don't know that I will have to buy them all, as the projects I wish to code are not too complicated. I wish all of the authors of Technical Books would follow his lead. It makes learning so much easier.
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Summary: Best book on Visual Basic for Beginners that I have read!
Review: John Smiley's book is excellent! He doesn't write in the typical "mumbo jumbo" you get from most authors of programming books. He is crisp, clear and concise. I particularly like the way he answers questions that I've heard dozens of time by my own beginning VB students. Great programming book, and fun to read too!
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