Introduction to Visual Basic 6
Visual Basic, derived from the Basic language, is an object-based and event-
driven programming language from Microsoft. This language is relatively
easy to learn. It enables you to create GUI (Graphical user interface)
applications easily using the Rapid Application Development (RAD)
technique. The one most interesting feature of this language is that it comes
with a designer called Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The
easy-to-use tools of the IDE enable you to easily create buttons, textbox,
and other controls for your desktop application.
Visual Basic 6.0 is a very powerful programming language. It enables GUI
application development, provides access to databases and enables the
creation of ActiveX controls.
In addition, Visual Basic 6 is Event-driven because we need to write code in
order to perform some tasks in response to certain events. The events
usually comprises but not limited to the user's inputs. Some of the events
are load, click, double click, drag and drop, pressing the keys and more. We
will learn more about events in later lessons. Therefore, a VB6 Program is
made up of many subprograms, each has its own program code, and each
can be executed independently and at the same time each can be linked
together in one way or another.
Start a New Project
Run the Visual Basic software from the list of programs or a desktop shortcut
icon. A appear.A window as same as the following picture will appear.
,Click "Standard EXE". Start a Standard .exe type of project. In the beginner
level, you will only learn about this type of project.
Other project types on this window are for the advanced learners. You can
do a lot of things implying VB6 is giving you enough power in your hand
through these different project types.
The Integrated Development Environment
After this, the main workspace appears where you will develop your
application with the tools in IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
It is very important to know the names of all the elements of this development
environment. The tools available here makes it very easy for you to develop an
application. The VB6 IDE provides you many tools in one place. You can add a
control on the form of your choice, set a property of an object from the
Properties Window on the right hand side, set the form layout and many more
things that you can use alongside your coding. You can even fill the ToolBox
with lots of additional controls.
,The Menu Bar
The Menu Bar contains all the menus such as File, Edit, View, Tools and so on.
The Tool Bar
The Tool Bar contains all the tools such as Open, Save, Copy, Cut, Start and so
on.
The Tool Box
, View Code Window
Double-click on form or any control on the form or click "view code" icon in
explorer window to view the code window.
Save your project
After developing your application, save your project in order to modify or
improve it later, or make an executable file with a few clicks. The project, form
and module are saved in .vbp, .frm and .bas extensions respectively.
Visual Basic, derived from the Basic language, is an object-based and event-
driven programming language from Microsoft. This language is relatively
easy to learn. It enables you to create GUI (Graphical user interface)
applications easily using the Rapid Application Development (RAD)
technique. The one most interesting feature of this language is that it comes
with a designer called Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The
easy-to-use tools of the IDE enable you to easily create buttons, textbox,
and other controls for your desktop application.
Visual Basic 6.0 is a very powerful programming language. It enables GUI
application development, provides access to databases and enables the
creation of ActiveX controls.
In addition, Visual Basic 6 is Event-driven because we need to write code in
order to perform some tasks in response to certain events. The events
usually comprises but not limited to the user's inputs. Some of the events
are load, click, double click, drag and drop, pressing the keys and more. We
will learn more about events in later lessons. Therefore, a VB6 Program is
made up of many subprograms, each has its own program code, and each
can be executed independently and at the same time each can be linked
together in one way or another.
Start a New Project
Run the Visual Basic software from the list of programs or a desktop shortcut
icon. A appear.A window as same as the following picture will appear.
,Click "Standard EXE". Start a Standard .exe type of project. In the beginner
level, you will only learn about this type of project.
Other project types on this window are for the advanced learners. You can
do a lot of things implying VB6 is giving you enough power in your hand
through these different project types.
The Integrated Development Environment
After this, the main workspace appears where you will develop your
application with the tools in IDE (Integrated Development Environment).
It is very important to know the names of all the elements of this development
environment. The tools available here makes it very easy for you to develop an
application. The VB6 IDE provides you many tools in one place. You can add a
control on the form of your choice, set a property of an object from the
Properties Window on the right hand side, set the form layout and many more
things that you can use alongside your coding. You can even fill the ToolBox
with lots of additional controls.
,The Menu Bar
The Menu Bar contains all the menus such as File, Edit, View, Tools and so on.
The Tool Bar
The Tool Bar contains all the tools such as Open, Save, Copy, Cut, Start and so
on.
The Tool Box
, View Code Window
Double-click on form or any control on the form or click "view code" icon in
explorer window to view the code window.
Save your project
After developing your application, save your project in order to modify or
improve it later, or make an executable file with a few clicks. The project, form
and module are saved in .vbp, .frm and .bas extensions respectively.
