Visual Basic is a third-generation event-driven programming language first released by Microsoft in 1991. The final version was VB 6.0 before the released of VB.NET. VB is a user-friendly programming language designed for beginners that enables anyone to develop GUI window applications easily.
Visual Basic is a tool that allows you to develop Windows (Graphic User Interface - GUI) applications. The applications have a familiar appearance to the user.
Visual Basic is event-driven, meaning code remains idle until called upon to respond to some event (button pressing, menu selection, etc.). Visual Basic is governed by an event processor. Nothing happens until an event is detected. Once an event is detected, the code corresponding to that event (event procedure) is executed. Program control is then returned to the event processor.
Visual Basic Window
A visual basic window is also called integrated development environment (IDE) window. This window open when we click on standard exe icon from new project dialog box. In visual basic, a program is referred to as a project. Every visual basic project consists of at list two separate files called a project file and a form file. A project file which extension is .VBP and form file which extension is .FRM. Project file created only one but multiple form file and other type of file can also be included in a project. These files are called class module (.CLS) files, standard module (.BAS) files, resource (.RCS) file, ActiveX control (.OCX) file and show on, thus the development of a visual basic project involves keeping track of several different files and accessing these file individually within visual basic environment, as needed.
When we open a visual basic project window which is also called IDE window, its components are displayed in the following format.
Application (Project) is made up of
Forms - Windows that you create for user interface
Controls - Graphical features drawn on forms to allow user interactiontext boxes, labels, scroll bars, command buttons, etc.) (Forms and Controls are objects.)
Properties - Every characteristic of a form or control is specified by a property. Example properties include names, captions, size, color, position, and contents. Visual Basic applies default properties. You can change properties at design time or run time.
Methods - Built-in procedure that can be invoked to impart some action to a particular object.
Event Procedures - Code related to some object. This is the code that is executed when a certain event occurs.
General Procedures - Code not related to objects. This code must be invoked by the application.
Modules - Collection of general procedures, variable declarations, and constant definitions used by application.
Steps in Developing Application
There are three primary steps involved in building a Visual Basic application:
1. Draw the user interface
2. Assign properties to controls
3. Attach code to controls
Components of visual basic IDE Window (ref class 1: basics)
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Introduction of VB 6.0