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Coding in GUI environment is quite a transition to traditional, linear programming methods where the user is guided through a linear path of execution and is limited to small set of operations. In GUI environment, the number of options open to the user is much greater, allowing more freedom to the user and developer. Features such as easier comprehension, user-friendliness, faster application development and many other aspects such as introduction to ActiveX technology and Internet features make Visual Basic an interesting tool to work with.

Visual Basic (VB) was developed from the BASIC programming language. In the 1970s, Microsoft started developing ROM-based interpreted BASIC for the early microprocessor-based computers. In 1982, Microsoft QuickBasic revolutionized Basic and was legitimized as a serious development language for MS-DOS environment. Later on, Microsoft Corporation created the enhanced version of BASIC called Visual Basic for Windows.

Visual Basic (VB) is an event-driven programming language. This is called because programming is done in a graphical environment unlike the previous version BASIC where programming is done in a text only environment and executed sequentially in order to control the user interface. Visual Basic enables the user to design the user interface quickly by drawing and arranging the user elements. Due to this spent time is saved for the repetitive task.

Important Features of Visual Basic (VB)

• Full set of objects - you 'draw' the application
• Lots of icons and pictures for your use
• Response to mouse and keyboard actions
• Clipboard and printer access
• Full array of mathematical, string handling, and graphics functions
• Can handle fixed and dynamic variable and control arrays
• Sequential and random access file support
• Useful debugger and error-handling facilities
• Powerful database access tools
• ActiveX support
• Package & Deployment Wizard makes distributing your applications simple

Visual Basic 6 vs Previous versions of Visual Basic

The original Visual Basic for DOS and Visual Basic For Windows were introduced in 1991.

Visual Basic 3.0 (a vast improvement over previous versions) was released in 1993.

Visual Basic 4.0 released in late 1995 (added 32 bit application support).

Visual Basic 5.0 released in late 1996. New environment, supported creation of ActiveX controls, deleted 16 bit application support.

Visual Basic 6.0 - released in mid 1998s - some identified new features of Visual Basic 6.0:

• Faster compiler
• New ActiveX data control object
• Allows database integration with wide variety of applications
• New data report designer
• New Package & Deployment Wizard
• Additional internet capabilities.

If you ever used Visual Basic 3, you too could have known everything. Visual Basic 3 was a reasonably small but powerful language. Visual Basic 4 added classes to the language and made Visual Basic much more complicated. Versions 4, 5, and 6 added more support for database programming and other topics such as custom controls, but Visual Basic was still a fairly understandable language, and if you took the time you could become an expert in just about all of it.

Visual Basic.NET accelerated the expansion of Visual Basic tremendously. The .NET Framework added powerful new tools to Visual Basic, but those tools came at the cost of increased complexity. Associated technologies have been added to the language at an ever - increasing rate, so, today, it is impossible for anyone to be an expert on every topic that deals with Visual Basic.

System requirements for Visual Basic depends on the version of Visual basic software. Visual Basic 6 for windows requires at least Microsoft Windows 95/Windows NT 3.51, 486 processor and a minimum of 16 MB of RAM. A complete installation of the most powerful version of Visual Basic 6.0, the Enterprise Edition, requires more than 250 MB of Hard Disk space.

Freetutes.com has Visual Basic Tutorials explained with examples and source code. This online Visual Basic tutorials are intended for programmers of all levels. Whether you are a beginner or and advanced VB learner you are absolutely here at the right place to learn what you really should learn. (You will currently find only Visual Basic 6 tutorials. We are working on to provide you with Visual Basic.NET tutorials and more other IT related tutorials covering programming, databases, networking, web development etc. Check back now and then for updated and new lessons from Freetutes.com)

Visual Basic Tutorials List:

Learn Visual Basic 6.0 ( VB6 Beginners tutorial ) - A comprehensive Visual Basic 6 starter kit for beginners to Visual basic programming. If you are new to programming or to visual basic this, beginner level tutorial will be the definite guide which you really should go through. Step by step lessons with examples and source code will help you to understand the lessons easily and quickly. Click here to view the table of contents of VB6 for beginners.

Learn Advanced Visual basic 6.0 ( Advanced VB6 tutorial ) - If you already have a basic knowledge in Visual Basic 6 programming then you can enhance your Visual Basic knowledge by learning more in-depth topics from this "Advanced Visual Basic 6 tutorial". This tutorial conducts you on a self-guided tour of all the areas covered by the VB6 Distributed Applications and the VB6 Desktop Applications and teaches you the specific skills you need to achieve in such area. Click here to view the table of contents of Advanced VB6 tutorial

Other Tutorials by Freetutes.com

Learn Systems Analysis - This tutorial is for beginners to Systems Analysis and Design (SAD) Process. If you are new to computers and want to acquire knowledge about the process of system development, then you will find useful information in this tutorial. This tutorial is designed to explain various aspects of software development and different techniques used for building the system. This tutorial is a good introductory guide to the need and overall features of software engineering.