Post on 29-Dec-2015
Chapter 2Build Your
First Project
A Step-by-Step Approach
2
Exploring Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0Copyright © 1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc.
By Carlotta Eaton
Exploring MS Visual Basic 6
Copyright 1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 2
Objectives
Describe compilers, interpreters, source code files, pseudo code files, native code files, and executable files.
Describe the steps in building an application program.
Describe the steps in building a project with Visual Basic.
Create a Visual Basic project following the step-by-step approach.
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Programmer’s Lingo
Program - detailed set of instructions for a computer
Programming Language - tool used to create a program; defined by semantics and syntax
Semantics - the meaning of words in a language
Syntax - rules for combining symbols of a language
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Programmer’s Lingo
Source Code (code) - program you write using a programming language
Interpreter - translates and executes source code statement by statement
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Programmer’s Lingo
Interpreter Process
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Programmer’s Lingo
Compiler - translates source code into an executable file
Executable file - standalone file that runs outside the Visual Basic environment; Used to distribute most Windows applications
Package and Deployment Wizard(Application Setup Wizard in VB5) - creates all the files necessary to distribute your projects
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Programmer’s Lingo
Compiler Process
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Programmer’s Lingo
Pseudo Code (P-code) - intermediate step between source code and native code
Native Code (machine language) -instructions the computer can execute directly
Dynamic Link Library (DLL) - translates instructions in executable file at runtime
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Steps in Building a Project
1. Define the Problem2. Design and Plan3. Build the Program4. Run the Program5. Test and Debug6. Document Your Program7. Compile and Distribute Your
Program
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Steps in Building a Project
Step 1 - Define the Problem Decide exactly what problem you
want to solve Or task you want to perform Understand what needs to be done Specification - details of your problem
definition
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Steps in Building a Project
Step 2 - Design and Plan Most important step of the process Find a step-by-step solution to your
problem Algorithm - step-by-step solution to a
problem Design User Interface; draw sketches
of screens, graphics, text and button
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Steps in Building a Project
Step 3 - Build the Program Translate your solution using the
programming language Coding - writing a program in a
programming language Create the user interface, set properties Write code for commands and
instructions
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Steps in Building a Project
Step 4 - Run the Program Run the program in the programming
environment Visual Basic Interactive Development
Environment for VB Simply click the Start button
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Steps in Building a Project
Step 5 - Test and Debug Testing - running your program and
looking for errors Debugging - process of removing
errors from a program Bug - error in a program Repeat until your program runs as
designed
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Steps in Building a Project
Step 6 - Document your Program Very important if program will be
updated in the future Documentation - consists of notes
and materials that describes a program
Organize the documentation
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Steps in Building a Project
Step 7 - Compile and Distribute Proceed to this step only after all
bugs have been discovered and removed
Distribute program to end user End User - the target audience for
your final program
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Steps in Building a Deck
1. Define the Problem - deck for grill, table and 4 chairs
2. Design and Plan - sketch a floor plan3. Build the Deck - oops, forgot stairs4-5. Run, Test, and Debug - as we built6. Document the Work - receipts and plans7. Compile and Distribute - invite friends for
a cookout to share and enjoy new deck
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Critique the Process
Programming is a building processMake-or-buy decision - build it or buy it Look for flaws before buildingMuch easier and less expensive to
correct flaws during specification stepWork smart; gather documentation
throughout processTest and debug to avoid dissatisfied
customers and potential lawsuits
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Build a Visual Basic Application
1. Define the Problem 2. Design and Plan3. Build the Program4. Run the Program5. Test and Debug6. Document your Program7. Compile and Distribute
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Build Your First Application
Hands-On Exercise 1 Create a New Project Set Visual Basic Options Restart Visual Basic Create the Initial Screen Create the Final Screen Add an Image to the Final Screen Save Your Project Run Your Project Close the Project and Exit Visual Basic
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Project Files
vbp extension = Visual Basic Project file that tracks all components
frm extension = Form file separate file for each form
frx extension = Binary form file cannot be read by humans
vbw extension = Visual Basic workspace
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The File Menu
Project commands
Make executable commands
Most recent project list
Exit command
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The File Menu
New ProjectOpen ProjectAdd ProjectRemove ProjectSave ProjectSave Project As
Save Component Save Component
AsPrintPrint Setup
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The File Menu
Template - particular pattern for a project or a project element; start a project from a template saves time
Existing tab - displays VB projectsRecent tab - displays most recently
accessed projectsProject Groups - a collection of several
projects
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Using the Code Editor
GUI (Graphical User Interface) - forms and windows that the user sees
Property - a characteristic or attribute of an object such as color and size
Event - a user action such as clicking a button
Code Editor window - editor specially designed to help you when writing code
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Testing and Debugging
Humans are not perfectRarely code programs right the
first timeTest to find problemsDebug to correct problemsFirst bug - Grace Hopper story
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Code, Test and Debug Your First Application
Hands-On Exercise 2 Open the Hello World Project Change the Form’s properties Change the Command Button’s properties Change the Label’s properties Change the Image’s property Add Code for the Click Here button Add Code for the Exit button Save and Run your project Test and Debug your project Exit Visual Basic
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Documenting your Project
Insert Banner Comments in your code Comment - coding statement used by
humans not the compiler or interpreter Each organization may have different
requirements, check with your instructor Explain purpose of each major section See example on next slide
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Banner Comments
‘*************************************
‘ Programmer: Carlotta Eaton
‘ Date: June 30, 1998
‘ Source: Hello World.vbp
‘ ID: Chapter 2 Hands-On 1
‘ Purpose: Practice steps to create
‘ a Visual Basic project
‘ Inputs: None
‘ Returns: None
‘***************************************
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Documenting Your Project
Follow Code Conventions, and Print your Code Conventions make your code easier
to read and understand Use block indenting Print code and put in documentation
folder
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Distributing Your Project
Remove all bugs firstCreate an executable file
Pull down File menu, and select Make Project exe command or
Use Package and Deployment Wizard (previously called Setup Wizard)
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Document and Distribute Your First Application
Hands-On Exercise 3 Open the Hello World Project Add Banner Comments Add Procedure Comments Save and Run the Project Print the Project Make an EXE file Test your Executable Project
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Summary ...
Key terms defined such as compiler and executable file
Use a systematic process to create a Visual Basic project
Spend more time planning and designing and less time writing, testing and debugging
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SummaryStep-by-Step Process
1. Define the problem2. Design and Plan the Solution3. Build the Program4. Run the Program5. Test and Debug 6. Document your project7. Compile and Distribute
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Copyright 1999 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 36
Practice with Visual Basic
1. Birthday Card2. Moving, Docking and Resizing
Windows3. Package and Deployment Wizard4. Building a Simple Program Step
by Step