Visual Basic (VB) is an ideal programming language for developing sophisticated professional
applications for Microsoft Windows. It makes use of Graphical User Interface for creating robust
and powerful applications. The Graphical User Interface as the name suggests, uses illustrations
for text, which enable users to interact with an application. This feature makes it easier to
comprehend things in a quicker and easier way.
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