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Summary: Just passed 70-176 with score of 942
Review: Great book. Just passed exam with a score of 942/1000. Read every chapter of the book that applied to 70-176. Very helpful for the exam. Doesn't spend time muddling in the details we all know, but extensively covered the important topics. Easy to read and understand. Great lay-flat binding - made for an enjoyable book. Great for just learning VB even if you aren't going to take the exam.
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Summary: The Holly Grial for passing the exams
Review: After over four years of not typing a single line of code, I decided that my place is in software development. The last Visual Basic version I used (seriously) was the fourth. After telling you that, you can imagine that I want to demonstrate to potential employers that I'm a good Visual Basic developer.Oh, what a surprise to find out that the exams wanted me to show expert use in technology I hardly talked about in those days, but I thought "no problem, I just need to get a hold of it, I was good in this, so I can do it". Well now I can tell you that without this book I would have never acomplished this task, just today I passed the first exam with an 89% score, and I can tell you it was extremely hard. How did this book helped me: - Is the only book I've seen that has a very seriously aproach to the Package and Deployment Wizard (I got 15 questions out of 70 about this topic, that is more than 20% of the exam, and got 77% right). - A chapter for COM, another one for ActiveX code components, another one for ActiveX controls, and another one for ActiveX documents, at least 50% of the exam is about these topics. And if that's not enough, there's quite a lot of information about implementing Help, Internet applications, Testing and Debugging, code optimization, all of this topics are going to be on your exams. If you are seriously thinking of getting certified, don't waste your time and money on books that are going to explain you how to put code in a form or a command button (most "certification trainning books" have this approach), you should already know that, get down to business and tackle the really interesting stuff. If you are not interested in taking the exams, but want to become an expert in Visual Basic, this is the book for you. Good luck on getting that certification!!
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Summary: Get this book if you want to pass the VB exams
Review: I found this book very easy to read. The author explains the complex features very clearly. I would recommend re-reading the sections you're not familiar until things make sense to you. Also, I recommend buying sample test software to use with this book. If I can pass the VB exams, anyone can reading this book AND completing the exercises and quizzes at the end of each chapter.
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Summary: Excellent book
Review: Base book for MCSD tests preparation. Very useful and complete. You will love it as me.
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Summary: Best exam focussed book for VB bar none
Review: This book was worth every cent! I have just recently passed both of the VB MCSD exams with 900+ scores and James Foxall has helped to keep me sane during the process. When studying for the exams you want to be sure that all topics are covered and at an appropriate level. MCSD in a nutshell does better at this than any other book I have seen. (I had access to 4 and only used/needed this & 'Programming VB6' by Balena - the best VB book on the market, but unfortunately not exam focussed) I have good IT experience, however haven't been using VB for a great amount of time. This book made me aware of, & educated me on, all the VB topics needed, with the exception of web classes which Balena covers well. Another bonus is it's size. Being smaller than the useless tomes that are out there, I could take it with me everywhere to ensure a steady stream of learning. If you find this book too much of a slog due to it being too high a level - you're not ready for the exams. Having the exams behind me, I'll be keeping this book on my shelf. (Right next to Balena of course) It's not intended to be a reference book but it will definately have some use as such. Finally, use Trancender! You'll not regret it!
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Summary: this is how writers should write...
Review: I have read only two books by this author ("MCSD in a Nutshell" and "Practical Standards for Visual Basic"), and both were great; I was thoroughly impressed with his style. (Many times, it is the author's style that makes or breaks a book). Whenever I need a book on VB in the future, I'll first check if this author has written something on it. He is a talented writer, with an uncanny ability to present the essentials without bogging you down with irrelevant details.
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Summary: A good book to clean-up shadow areas
Review: I've been working with VB for several years, learning by experience and examples mostly with the help of the books on line. When my company wanted me to get certified, without willing to pay for a training, I bought that book and read it twice - once for exam 70-176, and then once for exam 70-175, and did the reviews questionnaires, and passed both exams with good scores.
It really is a good book, very clear and pragmatic, for people who want to leverage their experience on the product and pass the exams.
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Summary: A Bible for MCSD aspirants
Review: I recently took my MCP exams on 70-176 and 10-175. Passed with a score of 985/1000 and 957/1000 respectively. The book has played a very great role in fetching me the score. The book is excellent and covers all the topics that are needed for the exams. Also, book is an excellent reference for any advanced VB programmer. No doubt its a bible that should be present in any VB programmer's book shelf!
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Summary: Perfect solution for certification problem
Review: I've just certified the 70-176 exam, and 90% of the questions where related to subjects present in this book. I had no problem in passing the test, I wasn't surprised by any "unknown" issue; if you use this book, there's a big chance of success. If english is your second language (like myself), you'll not find any complications at all, it's very clear and concise.
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Summary: Most bang for the buck!
Review: MCSD in a Nutshell is by far the best book you can get for Visual Basic certification exams. It takes a no-nonsense approach to the topic. The most basic areas are not covered, but it covers a lot of ground. If you are well versed with visual basic, then this book will give you the boost you need to brush up on your skills, prepare you for the obscure topics of the exams, and make you aware of how to use VB in general. Not just for the exams, it's an excellent quick reference tool. It's not riddled with code, but it uses code in adequate amounts to explain the section in question. Its "Key Facts" section summarizes the chapters very well - something that one can scan through before the exams. There are also a proportioned amounts of questions at the end of the chapters for self testing. Considering the low price as compared with other competing books, MCSD is a sureshot winner.
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