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Subject: FAQ: comp.lang.basic.visual General Frequently Asked Questions
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                          GENERAL INFORMATION
                    about Microsoft's Visual Basic 
                 the COMP.LANG.BASIC.VISUAL newsgroup
                 ====================================

PREFACE:
This document is a compilation of frequently asked questions and their
answers about Visual Basic in general which have been gathered from the
comp.lang.basic.visual newsgroup.   Although some efforts have been
made to find obvious errors, there is no guarantee that the information in
this document is error-free.  The FAQ maintainer, or anyone else
associated with this document, assume NO liability for the content or use
of this document.  If you find any errors, please report them to the address
given below.

Most FAQs (including this one) are available at the anonymous ftp archive
site "rtfm.mit.edu".  All four parts of the VB FAQ may be found in the
directory "pub/usenet/news.answers/visual-basic-faq".

You can also have the VB FAQs e-mailed to you by sending a message
to "mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu" with ONLY the text "send
usenet/news.answers/visual-basic-faq/*" in the body of the message.

As the FAQ maintainers, we don't have time to explore all of the aspects
of Visual Basic.  we rely on your submissions to improve the quality and
inclusiveness of this document.  If you have found a VB hint, tip, trick,
work-around, etc., please write it up and send it to us!  Direct any
comments/suggestions/flames to one of these addresses:

  Peter Millard   ac150@freenet.buffalo.edu    -General and VBDOS FAQ
  Jan Haugland    Jan.Haugland@uib.no	       -VB/Win FAQ	
==========================================
Table of Contents

I.    The COMP.LANG.BASIC.VISUAL Charter:
II.   What is Visual Basic and Where can I get it?
III.  What's the difference between VB/Win & VBDOS?
IV.   What are the features of the Professional vs. the Standard
      editions of the VB products?
      A. VB/Win
      B. VBDOS
V.    What to do BEFORE you post. 

VI.   What are some good 3rd party books to learn vb?
VII.  What are some other VB resources and where can I get
      them?
VIII. Where can I get good Public domain, shareware, or
      freeware software for VB?
      A. FTP
           ftp.cica.indiana.edu:/pub/pc/win3/programr/vbasic
           ftp.microsoft.com:
      B. BBS
      C. Compuserve
      D. America On-Line
IX.   Specific Question and Answer sections
      A.   VB/Win
      B.   VBDOS
X.    Appendix for FAQ POST #1

==========================================

I.    The COMP.LANG.BASIC.VISUAL Charter:

      COMP.LANG.BASIC.VISUAL is an unmoderated forum to
      share information about Microsoft's Visual Basic for Windows
      and MS-DOS, as well as the new "Application Basic" embedded
      in MS applications such as Word for Windows, Excel, and
      Access.

      Microsoft provides no Internet support channel for Visual Basic,
      so this group will let Visual Basic users get together to help
      each other, without requiring them to filter through unrelated,
      broader Windows programming issues.

II.   What is Visual Basic and Where can I get it?

      Visual Basic (often abbreviated 'VB') is a programming
      language initially developed by Microsoft to provide
      programmers with a quick and easy method of developing
      Windows applications.

      Visual Basic provides the programmer with an integrated
      environment where s/he can use tools to create a point and shoot
      interface and use event driven programming techniques.  A
      developer can quickly and easily create a user interface, then
      write the code to respond to specific events which occur as a
      result of user input. 

      The integrated development environment (IDE) has sophisticated
      editing and debugging tools which allow you to attach code
      quick to the interface created for each event which is applicable
      for any type of object on the interface. 

      Currently, there are two different "flavors" of Visual Basic. The
      original language was developed for Windows (often abbreviated
      'VB/Win') and will only create apps for it. Visual Basic for
      DOS (often abbreviated 'VBDOS') came along later as the
      demand for point-and-shoot applications grew. The two flavors
      are similar in programming techniques (they both use event-
      driven subroutines), however they remain vastly different
      products. 

      All current versions of Visual Basic are commercial applications,
      and thus should be availible at your local computer store. You
      can also get in contact with Microsoft.

III.  What's the difference between VB/Win & VBDOS?

      VB/Win gives you the capability of creating applications which
      run in Windows, while VBDOS gives you the ability to develop
      apps which do not need Windows to run and run in text mode
      using the extended character set to give the user the feeling of a
      graphical environment, while still remaining in a text mode. 

      VB/Win applications are compiled into a pseudo-code (p-code)
      file with an "EXE" extension.  When run, the p-code file
      accesses a run-time Dynamic Linked Library (DLL)
      (VBRUNx00.DLL) which interprets the p-code into
      Windows(tm) Aplication Programming Interface (API)
      instructions.  VB/Win cannot create a stand-alone application
      (i.e. an executable which does not need the VBRUNx00.DLL.). 
      Currently, applications developed using a particular version of
      VB/Win requires the same version of the run-time DLL. 
      Therefore, a VB application developed in VB/Win version 3.0
      will only work if the run-time DLL VBRUN300.DLL is installed
      in either the WINDOWS or SYSTEM directories.

      VBDOS can create both types of applications. Those that require
      a run-time module, or those that are a stand-alone .exe file.

IV.   What are the features of the Professional vs. the Standard
      editions of the VB products?

      A. VB/Win

           Both editions (version 3.0) include all of the basic graphic
           primitives (controls) that make Windows(tm) such a nice
           Graphical User Interface (GUI) to work with, such as: text
           boxes, message boxes, drop-down menus, combo boxes,
           Multiple Document Interface, File controls, etc.  Version
           3.0 added database capabilities by tying into the Microsoft
           Access database engine (a DLL that handles all the actual
           database file manipulation).
      
           The Professional Edition includes: more reference materials
           (manuals, Knowledge Base, Windows API information,
           etc.), more extensive database capabilities (ability to create
           databases), additional controls for serial port
           communications, masked text boxes, 3D "sculpted"
           controls, etc., Pen API support, and more!  Serious
           programmers and developers would be best served by the
           professional edition.  Most VB/Win users on the
           comp.lang.basic.visual newsgroup feel that the added
           features of the Professional Edition make it well worth the
           extra cost.  The Standard Edition is sufficient for small and
           fairly simple programs and "hobby" programmers.  Since
           Microsoft offers an upgrade path from the Standard to the
           Professional Edition, those who aren't sure they need the
           Professional Edition can start with the Standard Edition and
           move up when they're ready.

      
      B. VBDOS

           Both version of VBDOS load and run all existing QBasic
           and QuickBasic programs. With little or no effort, your
           QBasic and QuickBasic programs can use the compiler in
           Visual Basic for MSDOS to take advantage of optimized
           code generation and greater string capacity. The
           professional edition has the capability of loading and
           running Basic PDS programs designed for MS-DOS. 

           Both editions of VBDOS allow you to incrementally add
           forms, dialog boxes, and controls to existing applications
           without rewriting them. 

           The Professional editions of VBDOS includes 286 and
           386/486 specific code generation in its native code
           compiler. Also included is a high-speed alternate floating-
           point math library. The MOVE Overlay technology found
           in MS C/C++ 7.0 allows compiled programs to be up to
           16MB! Also included is the MS Source Profiler which
           allows you to fine tune your applications, stub files which
           allow you to remove run-time functionality your program
           does not use. The Professional edition also includes a
           powerful ISAM (Indexed Sequential Access Method)
           Database engine for developing database applications which
           can use database files up to 128MB.


           Here are the additional features you will find in the
           professional edition of Visual Basic for MS-DOS: 

           Feature                   Notes
           -----------------------------------------------------
           Help toolkit              create on-line help
           Setup toolkit             create distribution disks
           CodeView debugger         version 4.02
           Financial toolkit         functions from Microsoft Excel
           Present. graphics kit     make charts and graphs
           Matrix math toolkit       matrix operations
           Create custom controls    requires MS MASM
           Create custom rtms        Put your modules into RTM.
           Microsoft mouse driver    version 8.2a
            (NOTE: RTM = Runtime Module)
           
V.    What to do BEFORE you post. 

      First, consult the manuals included with Visual Basic.  The
      manuals *generally* do a good job explaining most of the basics
      of Visual Basic.  Expect to be flamed if you post a question to
      the newsgroup that is plainly answered in the manual! 

      Second, check the Knowledge Base (KB). The Knowledge Base
      is a file that documents many of the most common problems /
      bugs / questions that the VB technical support folks at Microsoft
      have encountered. The Knowledge Base comes standard with the
      Professional Edition, but Standard Edition users can get a copy
      of the Knowledge Base via ftp (see section VII), CompuServe,
      America On-line, or your local BBS. The file *should* be
      named something like "vbkb".

      Third, check the FAQ.  Since you are reading this document, I
      don't think much needs to be said here.  As a side note:
      PLEASE, encourage those who post frequently asked questions
      which are covered in this document to get and read the FAQ!  If
      we don't, people will just keep posting those same questions
      over and over.  Help us break this cycle of over-dependency on
      knowledgeable and kind-hearted newsgroup users.

      Forth, thoroughly test the problem you are encountering.  You
      are more apt to get some useful help if you can speak
      intelligently about the problem you are having and what you
      have done to try and fix or get around the problem.

      Finally, post to the COMP.LANG.BASIC.VISUAL newsgroup. 
      Helping each other with Visual Basic problems and questions is
      a lot about what this newsgroup is about.  If you've done your
      homework, you will probably be met with helpful responses to
      your inquiry.  Since both VB/Win and VBDOS users read this
      newsgroup, please prefix the subject line of your post with a
      note that indicates which type of VB you're using (i.e. "Subject:
      [VB/Win] Problem with DoEvents", "Subject: [VBDOS]
      Question on ISAM parameters").
 
VI.   What are some good 3rd party books to learn vb?
      We (the editors) have compiled a list of various books which
      cover a wide range of VB/Win subjects. Many of the books are
      personal reccommendations from various people on the net. The
      remaining books came from a keyword search of 'VISUAL' at
      the internet site BOOKS.COM. This site can be used to purchase
      books via credit card or you can use their database of books to
      find information as I have done. A complete list can be found at
      the end of this document. 

VII.  What are some other VB resources and where can I get
      them?

      The Knowledge Base (often abbreviated 'KB') is a file that
      documents many of the most common problems, bugs, questions,
      tips, fixes and work-arounds that the VB technical support folks
      at Microsoft have encountered.  The KB comes standard with the
      Professional Edition, but Standard Edition users can get a copy
      of the Knowledge Base via ftp (see section VIII), CompuServe,
      America On-line, or perhaps even your local BBS.  Many
      answers to common VB problems can be found in the KB.  This
      file is a must-have!
      Visual Basic Tips and Tricks is a compilation of useful VB code
      examples, a listing of the latest VB file versions and dates, and
      other useful information that isn't in the Knowledge Base.  VB
      Tips and Tricks is a Windows help file put together by Dave
      McCarter of DPM Computer Solutions.  It can be found at many
      places (including ftp.cica.indiana.edu) as "VBTIPSxx.ZIP",
      where xx is the version number (larger numbers represent newer
      versions).  It is updated on a monthly basis.

VIII. Where can I get good Public domain, shareware, or freeware
      software for VB?

      A. FTP
      VB/windows ftp sites:
      ---------------------
      ftp.cica.indiana.edu:/pub/pc/win3/programr/vbasic
           Best/largest source for Visual Basic files, utilities, example
           programs, VBXs, etc.

      ftp.microsoft.com:
           Microsoft's anonymous ftp site.  There is a lot on this site
           so look around.  Here are some of the more useful
           directories:
           /Softlib/MSLFILES
               Get the Knowledge Base for VB here!  VBKB.EXE
               (929K) is the regular KB in windows help format.
               VBKB_FT.EXE (2,563K)is the same as VBKB.EXE
               but with text searching added.  Lot's of other good
               files in this directory.
           /MSDN
               Contains LOTS of Windows programming files and
               examples!  Get the index file MSDN-IDX.ZIP for a
               description of the files in this directory.  Suggestion:
               search the index file for the text "Visual Basic".
           /MSDN/VBTECH
               VB specific files.
           /DEVTOOLS/LANG/VB/PUBLIC
               Misc. VB files and updates.                          

      B. BBS

      I run a public BBS in Bellefonte, PA, which caters to
      programmers and UNIX users.  I have a fairly large-sized
      BASIC file section, with some Visual BASIC  files uploaded
      from users, and culled from various FTP sites.  I would 
      certainly welcome additional users interested in VB.

      The BBS is called the Centre Programmers Unit BBS, and can
      be reached at  814-353-0566.  The system is up 24 hours a day,
      7 days a week, and has a  USR Dual Standard
      (14.4HST/V.32bis) online.  There is no charge for access,  but I
      enforce a file upload/download ratio.  Here's my welcome
      screen:
                                                                    
                           You are invited to call:
                         The Centre Programmers Unit
                               Bellefonte, PA 
                      A gathering point for UNIX users,
                         and programmers of all types.
                ---------------------------------------------------      
                System size: 1.5Gb         Online: 24 hours, 7 days
      
            Modem: USR Dual Standard: 1200-14400 baud
                   MNP 1-5, v.32, v.32bis, v.42, v.42bis, HST
      
                (814) 353-0566             Sysop: Mike Loewen
      
           MSDOS programming tools and libraries, UNIX source, GNU, X
                   Select USENET Newsgroups. Linux.
           BBS users should login as 'bbs', 8N1, no password required.
                 email: mloewen@cpumagic.scol.pa.us

      C. Compuserve
           Compuserve does have a fairly active basic forum. To
           acces this forum, type GO MSBASIC. Microsoft employees
           have been known to frequent this forum. May be useful for
           those last ditch pleas for some useful tidbit of information.

           Some Useful files in the MSBASIC forum:
           - VBBK05.ZIP:  List of books/mags dealing with VB.
           - MLIST4.ZIP:  Multi-column listbox. No 64K limit. 

      D. America On-Line
           America On-Line has a good selection of VB files and an
           active message area for discussing Visual Basic.

IX.   Specific Question and Answer sections

      A.   VB/Win - refer to the post titled: "comp.lang.basic.visual
           VB/Win Frequently Asked Questions".

      B.   VBDOS - refer to the post titled: "comp.lang.basic.visual
           VB/DOS Frequently Asked Questions".

X.    Appendix for FAQ POST #1
      ========================
      BOOK LIST for VB/Win
      ========================

      ---From: ian@monty.demon.co.uk (Ian Piper)

           Here, in descending order of usefulness (in my own
           personal opinion) are the VB books I use the most:

           1. Visual Basic Programmers guide to the Windows
           API, by Daniel Appleman. ISBN1-56276-073-4. If you
           only want to get one book on VB, this is the one. It covers
           the ground from simple to advanced programming very
           well. 

           2. The Waite Group's VB How-To, several authors, ISBN
           1-878739-09-3. This is the ISBN number for version 1 - I
           think it's been updated by now. Lots of examples to
           demonstrate each point. This is a close second.

           3. Visual Basic Utilities, by Paul Bonner, ISBN
           1-56276-106-4. This has some excellent learning stuff in it
           and also some advanced stuff, including how to write your
           own DLLs (!) using GFA-BASIC.

           4. Fun programming with VB, several authors, ISBN
           1-56529-106-9. This uses a half-dozen or so projects to
           illustrate how various programmers designed and built apps
           using VB.

           5. Windows 3.1 programming for mere mortals, by
           Woody Leonhard, ISBN 0-201-60832-4. This covers VB
           and WordBasic. Some very neat examples.

      ---From: tivadar@interaccess.com (John Quarto-vonTivadar)

           I found the following VERY useful, to the point that I
           don't even use the manuals anymore:

           6. The Visual Guide to Visual Basic for Windows, by
           Richard Mansfield, published by Ventura Press. This is a
           encyclopedia of the language itself. It supposes that you
           DO know how to program so basically (if you pardon the
           pun) it's a guide to VB's slang. I use this for referencing
           the grammar when i get a bug.

      ---From: idavidson@csu.edu.au (Ian Davidson)

           7. Visual Basic How-To, Robert Arnson, Daniel Rosen,
           Mitch Waite &  Jonathon Zuck: The Waite Group, 1992. 
           ISBN 1-878739-09-3.  Includes  disk.  Many practical
           examples & some sample custom controls.Introduces &
           expands on the use of API's.  An excellent book suitable
           for Beginners thru Advanced - one of my most-often-used 
           references.

           8. Learn Programming and Visual Basic with John
           Socha, John Socha:  Sybex, 1992.  ISBN 0-7821-1057-6. 
           Includes disk.  A useful introduction for absolute beginner
           programmers thru intermediate.


      -- From Gary Cornell:
           There's a new version of my book - it's been enlarged and
           updated. It's now called the Visual Basic 3 For Windows
           Handbook.
               
              Author   : Cornell, Gary
              Title    : Visual Basic 3 For Windows Handbook
              ISBN     : 0078819318 Dewey #  : 005.10
              Publisher: Osborne McGraw Hill
              Date Pub : 01/93

      --from Wallace Wang: 72662,1711 (Compuserve)
           Here's the information you requested. Thanks for including
           my book in your listing:

           Publisher name: IDG Books Publisher 
           address: 155 Bovet Road, Suite 310
                    San Mateo, CA 94402 
           Phone number: (415) 312-0650 
           Fax number: (415) 358-1260

           Book name: Visual Basic 3 For Dummies 
           Author name: Wallace Wang 
           When released: March 1994 

           50-word description: This book takes readers, 
               step-by-step, to understanding, learning, and writing
               Visual Basic programs. Explains how to use the most
               common features of Visual Basic for creating user
               interfaces and writing BASIC code. Includes a
               friendly dose of humor and easy to read explanations,
               this book also includes suggestions for finding
               additional information about Visual Basic. Intended
               audience: 

           Beginners Price: $19.95
           Disk of examples: No.

      ---From EDITOR: 
           The following books were those I found using a keyword
           search of 'VISUAL' at the internet site BOOKS.COM. This
           site can be used to purchase books via credit card or you
           can use their database of books to find information as I
           have done. 

           Author   : Nelson, Ross
           Title    : The Microsoft VB for Windows Primer
           ISBN     : 1556154771    Dewey #  : 005.10
           Publisher: Microsoft Pr  Date Pub : 11/92
      
           Author   : Orvis, William
           Title    : Do It Yourself Visual Basic for Windows
           ISBN     : 0672302594    Dewey #  : 005.10
           Publisher: Sams          Date Pub : 11/92

           Author   : Craig, John Clark
           Title    : Microsoft VB Workshop/Book and Disk
           ISBN     : 1556153864    Dewey #  :   5.26
           Publisher: Microsoft Pr  Date Pub : 09/91
      
           Author   : Murray, William H./Pappas, Chris H.
           Title    : Using VB : Writing Windows Apps
           ISBN     : 0201581450    Dewey #  :   5.43
           Publisher: Addison Wesley Pub. Co.
           Date Pub : 01/92

      ========================
      BOOK LIST for VBDOS
      ========================

           Author   : Hergert, Douglas A.
           Title    : Visual Basic Programming With DOS
           Applications
                   / Book and Disk
           ISBN     : 0553370995    Dewey #  : 005.00
           Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Pub
           Date Pub : 07/92

