Rating: 
Summary: Objects DeMystified!
Review: A very apt title. In one week, entailing about 16 hours of reading,I was able to digest what I considered to be a rather complicated and vital topic that I for some reason seemed to shy away from. In the past year, I've bought at least 5 books on the subject and did nothing more than toss the books to the side after a couple of days because of the complexity of the material. As a consultant, systems analyst and developer, I need to be able to produce quickly, John Smiley's book allowed me to cut through the gray areas and quickly apply the concepts to what I do every day. One exceptional chapter, Chapter 5 is the 'piece de resistance' of object programming. I no longer feel 'so confused.' I'm probably biased, this is one of four books, that I have that he's written. For clarity and conciseness, there is no better author.
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Summary: I couldn't finish Moby Dick, either...
Review: Anyone who has tried it knows that that book is wordy- and so is this one. The author uses a fictional programming class to set the stage for what he is trying to teach- with fictional students, and lots of fictional dialogue, as well. This results in a very LONG read for little information. I just couldn't get through it, a shame, because the guy probably knows what he is talking about.I prefer a text that you can get the information without trudging through lots of extra garbage. Smiley's style of writing is not for me. 2 stars is generous.
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Summary: Simply Outstanding
Review: As with all of his other books, this book is simply outstanding. It takes you step by step through the process. The author also has a web site that can be consulted for additional information.
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Summary: Learn to Program Objects with Visual Basics
Review: Dr. Smiley has done it again! His unusual style of presentation has made it easy for me to understand what I thought was a very complicated subject. Having read(and successfully learned VB)from his other books, I waited for this one and it was worth it. He puts seminar style learning to paper. One of the great advantages of his style is that through the students that are learning with you (you go through the book with a group of real world students), you, the reader, get answers to questions that often pop into your mind while studying the material. His definitions and clarification of the concept of objects is the best I have seen, having read through practically every book I can find on the subject. His process of bringing the learner through the problem, is realistic, not philosophical, and extremely practical. If you really want to learn about using objects in your programs (believe me you can't live without them)and enjoy it, get this book.
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Summary: Learn to Program with VB 6 hit the Nail on the Head!
Review: I am a programmer that is just starting out i got hired at this job for the fact I knew nothing and was looking for a place to get my foot in the door. I have spent every waking hour at work learning VB and its counter part VBA.... I was having trouble understanding code and after reading this book I can't wait to go buy the next John Smiley book Learn to Program with VB dB. I never knew learning to be a programmer could be so fun and easy i didn't want to put the book down he had me feeling like i was in the classroom with him.
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Summary: Learn to Program Objects with Visual Basic 6
Review: I am not a beginner. I have taken classes and read other books on this subject, but this book beats them all. I thought it was slow when I first started because of all the conversation between the author and the students, but after a few chapters, I realized that the author was merely emphasizing the points he was making by taking this approach. I am not missing anything, he answers my questions before I ask them and I want to keep reading. I actually understand what Programming with Objects means now.
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Summary: Another excellent book by John Smiley
Review: I bought this book a few days ago and it has been a lucid and very readable introduction to VB objects. I would thoroughly recommend the book to anyone who is finding it difficult to get to grips with objects or to anyone who just wants a good technical read. John's latest book is excellent - keep them coming!
Rating: 
Summary: I am getting it
Review: I find this book one of the best on the market, I am actually starting to understand objects, A little more work with the examples and I should be up to speed. I would have liked a little more work with collections but I guess you cant have it all. Keep it up.
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Summary: If you are a beginer GREAT if you are more advanced...ehh...
Review: I give this book a good rating for what it is. This book is basicaly an INTRO book in how to code with objects in VB and an introductory to some OOP concepts. This books strong points are the following: 1. It is very easy to follow 2. It is CHEAP 3. The examples are concise and make for easy understanding 4. The author PUMMELS the concepts in your head until YOU GET IT (which by the way he does excellently) 5. There are virtually no errors in this book (most of them are spelling errors in the prose) and that is RARE in a computer book. So for this reason it is quite good. Now what's bad 1. Filled with lots of scenic padding (you know what I mean if you've read it!) 2. Examples are very small 3. Could contain LOTS more (such as COM ) 4. This project is WAY to small. I only WISH in the years of my experience with VB projects that an application would be this small and simple... No way... However the reasons it lacks through the above, is because this was not what the author was achieving for, and not the audience he was reaching out to. The book says it is for the Begginer to Intermediate level. I would say this book is STRICTLY beginerish in fact it is even intro. Intermediate and advanced programmers (ecspecialy those who have worked in VB) will find this book too laid back, and over simplified (You'll be sitting there saying 'OK I get it now, show me something more involved [this is what I was saying]'). It's as if the other students in the class are holding you back because of their skill level. I bought this book because I have worked with VB for some time but never forced myself to learn its classes. This has to do mostly for 2 reasons. One, I have been able to achieve everything I need without it. Two, Vb is NOT a true object oriented language. I learned all about OOP in school programming with C++ and some Powerbuilder. Thus if I was going to do OOP I would not use VB. Also this book had very good reviews. I have noticed that most of the people who gave favourable reviews about the book with high praise, were virtualy in love with the author and worked from all his other books. This book though did what it needed to do for me, but it took way too much time to do it cause of all the padding. But it is good cause Smiley hammers the concepts until you get IT! Like one reviewer said, "If you don't get OOP [in a VB context] from this book there is no hope for you". No doubt! A lot of the stuff for me, was just un-locking all that old stuff I had burried in the back of my skull from years ago at school, and recognizing the VB syntax for its classes. But the stuff is GOOD and the book is VERY usefull. It's just a little too theory based to. What Smiley hints about the real world [regarding application development] is all good BUT when you hit the cement for awhile you really start seeing what it takes to make an app get in [politics etc..] and all the other B.S. that throws everything you learned in school OUT THE WINDOW!! This book is perfect for someone who is either learning to program (meaning they have had NO formal training in it) and is using VB but hasn't learned classes yet. This book is NOT for people who no nothing about programming. You will probably have a hard time with it. Also if you are VB experienced and know some OOP this book is missing MEAT!! and it is NOT for you either. You will get good stuff from it, but you will want more.. So that's my final thoughts to summarize this one. EXCELLENT if you are new to VB and want to learn it's OOP, LACKING if you are an advanced VB programmer (or advanced programmer in general). The rating reflects the book for what it is: 4 out of 5. Also if your really interested in doing OOP, learn a true OO language like C++ or Java.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Book
Review: I had no idea how to program, but in just three days after reading this book I was able to accomplish such a task. I loved the classroom setting. The feedback from the other students in the class were very helpful. Sometimes I would say "man that person is an idiot", while other times I would be like "good point". While reading this book, I even raised my hand a few times. :) If you read this book and don't understand every concept, you should find something else to do.
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