Microsofta Visual Basica 6.0 Professional Step by Step [With CDROM]

I didn't get a cd disk with the book!

The shelves at the bookstore bowed from the weight of the VB books available. I thumbed through each. Before plunking down my hard earned money, I would make sure the book was what I needed. I'm a fulltime CIS major, but just didn't feel I was comprehending VB from the class. The class textbook was like a cheap dictionary: a blurb, a syntax example and it moved on. I can still hear the swell of the violins in the love story that began when I started using Halvorson's book. Imagine my joy when he lovingly told me, "I don't want to waste any of your time. Let's write a user interface and that done... you don't have to do it anymore, I'll do it for you." This may sound silly, but I was THAT pleased. As you go through the lessons, the material provided on the CD allows you to concentrate on just that lesson objective. To use an analogy, it's like learning to sew and when it comes time to learn setting in sleeves, the dress is completely done except the sleeve. You complete the sleeve and wear the dress to town. I may be raving, but I really am that pleased with the book. Even the conversational language tone is respectful of my time and my intelligence. One last word: My 14-year old son saw my first program (a slot machine type game) and wrote it himself with no frustration and much gratification - now that's cool!

Step By Step Visual Basic 6 Professional - By Michael HalversonWith absolutely no previous programming experience, I bought VB6 a couple of years back, and I bought this book from Comp USA after browsing through most of what was on the shelf. In no time at all, I went from not even knowing what VB was, to writing some pretty sophisticated applications, and having a great time too. Michael Halverson is very clear, concise, easy to read, and provides a generous supply of detailed examples with well written explanations, all in a warm friendly context. You'll probably discover this book to be your favorite to refer to again and again. You'll no doubt buy other books as your experience level increases, but seldom will you find a book that you actually enjoy and benefit from as much as this one.

Let me state that I have been through many, many books on how to learn Visual Basic 6.0. I've done the Dummies Book, the Sams 21 Day and 24 hour route, and the John Smiley 'By examples' book, and lastly the Peter Norton VB book. I've spent some serious money on books and Im still a rookie programmer (ok, so Im modest...).Since I started with the Dummies book, it gave me the basics of how and why VB works. But, what I found it lacking was any real examples to play with. The Sams books were redundant of the dummies guides. And the Peter Norton book was just pathetic. It would bore a Vulcan to sleep. I can't tell you how many times I caught myself reading the same paragraph over and over to try to capture the meaning. The book by John Smiley was fantastic, but his follow up one, the "By Examples", had a Talk Show tone that left me confused. The book just had too much going on asides VB...and after a chapter or two, I just couldnt take it any longer (the book is now a lovely speaker holder).Enough on those. To you that have tried a book or two and are thirsty for a book that will bring you across the finish line, this is it. No, this is not an ideal first book for the newbie. But, if you understand a wee bit about VB, this book will pick you up and carry you though. The examples (and there are lots) are the heart of each lesson. Most books are very wordy and defining the process, then an example. Not this one. This guy must have pilot blood in him. You get a heads up of what you are going to do, make an example and try it out, then after you've "landed", the author discusses with you what you just did, the dynamics, and how to go a step beyond. Ok, this is getting really wordy, so let me wrap up here....Im not a good reader...I get distracted too easy. I found myself able to get absorbed into this book and LEARN. Its concise and to the point. So, to those of you that didnt like the book, well...perhaps you like those War & peace sized ones...or like books that read like Latin 101 and put anyone that dares read over your shoulder to sleep. Good book, good examples...I tended to stay away from the Microsoft Press books since they were much more expensive then the other entry-level guides. Not any more...looking forwad to his next book on the next version of VBThanks for allowing me to comment

Halvorson's book is a great start to VB6 newcomers. I was able to go from cover to cover within a week of careful studying, and must admit my original VB1 and VBA concepts and coding ability were greatly refreshed. The last two chapters, Days 13 and 14 could be better explained, but it seemed beyong the book scope.Recommended as a getting started! Note: If you got the book bundled with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Deluxe Learning Edition, go straight to the other title (Programmer's Guide) before you venture in serious development. Also, be aware that you CANNOT create distributable applications (*.exe) with the VB6 Learning Edition. You have to upgrade to the VB6 Professional Edition to do so!!)

This book doesn't assume that you know ANYTHING about programming; it's great for people with absolutely no background in C, C++, Java, or any scripting language; however, knowing any of the above is an advantage. The first several chapters of the book deal basically with using the Visual Basic 6.0 programming environment; and that's a lifesaver. I'd have been completely lost without it. I would recommend this book to people with no background in programming -or- Windows, because it assumes you know nothing; which is a logical assumption in a beginner's book. It is a little wordy, and often refers you to online help, which I have found to be difficult to use, but all in all it's a fabulous way to get your feet wet. I'm almost finished with it, and I wish they had a VB Professional Step by Step part II, cos I doubt any other book could hold a candle to this one. It's worth every penny.