Programming with Visual Basic.NET
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An introduction to computer programming using Visual Basic .NET - one of the most accessible languages available. No programming experience is assumed, although students should be familiar with basic computer operations (e.g. word processing, e-mail, Internet, etc.) This module requires a PC with the Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system and the Visual Basic .NET 2003 or 2005 software.
Aim
The aim of this module is to introduce basic and intermediate computer programming techniques using the Visual Basic .NET programming language and development environment. This is the first of two 20-credit modules offered in Visual Basic programming at Level 1.
Syllabus Plan
- Introduction to Visual Basic .NET
- Writing your first program
- Controls.
- Menus and dialog boxes.
- Variables and Operators.
- Decisions
- Loops and timers
- Debugging.
- Trapping errors.
- Modules and procedures.
- Arrays and collections.
- Text files and string processing.
Learning / Teaching Methods
The course is Distance Learning based and comprises:
- Weekly online course units - provided via a course website with summaries of key concepts and techniques, links to key online VB resources and a download facility for studying offline.
- Self-test questions and exercises in each unit - suggested answers are provided with the opportunity to raise issues and gain additional feedback from the tutor via the online discussion forum.
- Tutor support - via an online discussion forum, e-mail and telephone.
- Student dialogue and support - through the shared online discussion forum.
Assignments
As well as the weekly quizzes and exercises, there are two assessments which test your understanding of the topics covered:
- Short answer and multiple-choice questions. (This assessment counts for 30% of the final mark.)
- Programming assignments. (This assessment counts for 70% of the final mark.)
More details are provided online during the course and students use e-mail to submit their completed assessments.
Assessment
See above.
Intended Outcomes
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- install and configure Visual Basic .NET
- develop a program from a given design
- understand the principles of event-driven programming
- implement a user interface
- understand and apply key programming concepts (variables, constants, conditions, decisions, loops and arrays)
- use function and sub procedures to make code reusable and extendable
- implement basic error handling and undertake debugging
- process strings and text files
Reading List
This module and the one which follows it (Advanced Programming with Visual Basic.NET - LLC1172A) each require the Microsoft Visual Basic .NET 2003 or 2005 programming language. If you do not already have a copy of the software, we recommend the Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition which is available as a free download from Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/express/2005/)
Note that Visual Basic .NET will not run on Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me or Apple Mac computers. You must have a PC with either Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista. For a full list of system requirements for Visual Basic 2005 Express please consult the following Microsoft page online: http://www.microsoft.com/express/2005/support/readme/
The set textbook for this module and Programming with Visual Basic .NET (LLC1142A) is 'Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Step by Step' by Michael Halvorson published by Microsoft Press, which students will need to purchase separately.
Note that several editions of this book are available and you should obtain the one which matches the version of the Visual Basic .NET software that you have.
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If you have the Microsoft Visual Basic 2003 software, you need to obtain the 2003 edition of the book: Halvorson, M. (2003) Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Step by Step: Version 2003, Redmond, Microsoft Press (ISBN 0735619050). |
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If you have the Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 software, you need to obtain the 2005 edition of the book: Halvorson, M. (2006) Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Step by Step, Redmond, Microsoft Press (ISBN 0735621314). |
If you are in any doubt, please contact the course tutor, Ian Wellaway, on 01392 262852 or at I.J.Wellaway@exeter.ac.uk, before registering on a module or purchasing any book or software.
