This displays the current value of the property selected from the properties list underneath it. Just below the object box is the settings box. This is a list box that can be used to select any of the objects on the current form.
The object box (under the properties title bar) then displays the name of the object. To set the properties of a screen object. In the calculator example above, the command buttons have been given captions corresponding to symbols such as ∑, −, %, =.
#What is visual basic windows#
If this is not visible use the Windows menu to invoke it. Properties are set using the properties window. The familiar buttons are created using command buttons and the readout appears in a label. Here is the interface for the calculator that is supplied as a sample application in. Clicking and dragging on sizing handles allows the object to be sized horizontally and/or vertically. Moving the mouse over a sizing handle changes the cursor to a double headed arrow. Clicking on the object reveals sizing handles as shown around the horizontal scroll bar below: From here the object may be dragged into place using the mouse. That object appears in the centre of the form. To place a control on Form1, double click on a toolbox icon. This is where the interface (or the first screen of the interface) is constructed. In design mode VB presents a blank form, labelled Form1. You may also load an application that has been previously saved, run it, or continue to work on it. This means that the system is ready for you to start to build an application. When you launch VB the environment is in design mode (see title bar). VB Help gives a brief description of each toolbox icon (click on the search button then enter tool, double click on toolbox in the lower window), refer to this if unsure about which item to choose. One must also understand the characteristics of the various screen objects in order to make good choices for the interface. This step is often described as providing the functionality.īefore setting out to write a program, one must have a task in mind.
#What is visual basic code#
Writing program code to specify what will happen as users interact with the screen objects. Setting the properties of the screen objects to change such things as colours and labels. Screen objects (or controls) are selected from the toolbox, placed and sized using the mouse. This is done interactively without the need to program.
#What is visual basic professional#
The professional option contains a wider variety of controls in the toolbox.Ĭreating a program is as simple as 1, 2, 3:ĭesigning the interface. At this point select either Standard EXE or VB Professional Edition Controls. If VB has been sucessfully started a dialog box like the one below should be seen.
There are two ways to do this:Ĭhange directory to N:\Msoft\DevStudio\VB5 Before any programming can begin Visual Basic itself must be located and run.