Product Description

Fun approach to a difficult topic- readers will create games using VB.NET as they learn the fundamentals of the language.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #461064 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Customer Reviews

Finally, and programming book that keeps you interested!
I have read many books on programming and other computing topics and they have all fallen foul of the same problem; they become very hard to read after the first few chapters/lessons!

I have a shelf full of “Teach Yourself XY in 24 hours” books, most of which have been a real struggle after the initial enthusiasm has dwindled (Usually by chapter 3 or 4) as the subject is too often delivered in a boring manner with little to show for your study. They seem to not work toward anything and it’s hard to see a “Real world” point to anything you learn.

Like no book on the subject I have ever read, “Visual Basic .NET programming for the absolute beginner” breaks the mould and teaches the subject of Visual Basic.NET in a fun and interesting manner. The book uses games as examples while pointing out the “Real World” application for the things you learn. Using games is a splendid idea, making this a fun book to read and leaving the reader with some useful projects to build and expand upon. I would often find myself looking forward to getting home from work so I can start the next chapter..

If I have to make some criticisms, I would say that the summaries and “end of chapter” projects can be a little tough for the novice. More than once I was a little stumped as to how to approach the challenge, though after reading a few more chapters I was able to return and complete them. That said, one could argue that this approach is a good way to re-enforce the skills learned, as you go back to earlier projects to apply what you have most recently learned.

So there you have it, I am highly recommending this book to anyone who wants to learn VB.NET in a fun, informative and highly refreshing way.

too dated to work
If you had Vis Studio 2003 and a Tardis this might prove useful. I'm using VB Express 2005 to get tomes cheap and this book is a disaster. I have struggled today with message box buttons and input boxeswhich were resyntaxed in 2005 (online help is proving fruitless too). I have declared subroutines in a relatively long noughts and crosses program to no avail. It's old, it's dated and by page 109 the programs DO NOT WORK- I can't find any updates on a publisher's website - which would have helped- avoid.

Excellent place to start
Much better than a lot of teach yourself programming books (I own loads!) Many of the projects are games that really give you some enthusiasm to actually finish the projects and not skim over info.
The subject of object orientated programming is also really well explained. To be honest I think this easily beats the visual basic step by step. My only warning would be that it has no info on asp.net or ado.net so don't expect to be making any databases any time soon.