integrated development environment

1

Integrated Development Environment

Building Your First Project (A Step-By-Step Approach)

2

Objectives

Describe compilers, interpreters, source code files, pseudo code files, native code files, and executable files.

Describe the steps in building an application program.

Describe the steps in building a project with Visual Basic.

Create a Visual Basic project following the step-by-step approach.

3

Programmer’s Lingo

Program - detailed set of instructions for a computer

Programming Language - tool used to create a program; defined by semantics and syntax

Semantics - the meaning of words in a language

Syntax - rules for combining symbols of a language

4

Programmer’s Lingo

Source Code (code) - program you write using a programming language

Interpreter - translates and executes source code statement by statement

5

Programmer’s Lingo

Interpreter Process

6

Programmer’s Lingo

Compiler - translates source code into an executable file

Executable file - standalone file that runs outside the Visual Basic environment; Used to distribute most Windows applications

Package and Deployment Wizard(Application Setup Wizard in VB5) - creates all the files necessary to distribute your projects

7

Programmer’s Lingo

Compiler Process

8

Programmer’s Lingo

Pseudo Code (P-code) - intermediate step between source code and native code

Native Code (machine language) -instructions the computer can execute directly

Dynamic Link Library (DLL) - translates instructions in executable file at runtime

9

Steps in Building a Project

1. Define the Problem

2. Design and Plan

3. Build the Program

4. Run the Program

5. Test and Debug

6. Document Your Program

7. Compile and Distribute Your Program

10

Steps in Building a Project

Step 1 - Define the Problem Decide exactly what problem you want to solve Or task you want to perform Understand what needs to be done Specification - details of your problem definition

11

Steps in Building a Project

Step 2 - Design and Plan Most important step of the process Find a step-by-step solution to your problem Algorithm - step-by-step solution to a problem Design User Interface; draw sketches of screens,

graphics, text and button

12

Steps in Building a Project

Step 3 - Build the Program Translate your solution using the programming

language Coding - writing a program in a programming

language Create the user interface, set properties Write code for commands and instructions

13

Steps in Building a Project

Step 4 - Run the Program Run the program in the programming environment Visual Basic Interactive Development

Environment for VB Simply click the Start button

14

Steps in Building a Project

Step 5 - Test and Debug Testing - running your program and looking for

errors Debugging - process of removing errors from a

program Bug - error in a program Repeat until your program runs as designed

15

Steps in Building a Project

Step 6 - Document your Program Very important if program will be updated in the

future Documentation - consists of notes and materials

that describes a program Organize the documentation

16

Steps in Building a Project

Step 7 - Compile and Distribute Proceed to this step only after all bugs have been

discovered and removed Distribute program to end user End User - the target audience for your final

program

17

Steps in Building a Deck

1. Define the Problem - deck for grill, table and 4 chairs

2. Design and Plan - sketch a floor plan

3. Build the Deck - oops, forgot stairs

4-5. Run, Test, and Debug - as we built

6. Document the Work - receipts and plans

7. Compile and Distribute - invite friends for a cookout to share and enjoy new deck

18

Critique the Process

Programming is a building process Make-or-buy decision - build it or buy it Look for flaws before building Much easier and less expensive to correct flaws

during specification step Work smart; gather documentation throughout

process Test and debug to avoid dissatisfied customers

and potential lawsuits

19

Build a Visual Basic Application

20

Build a Visual Basic Application

1. Define the Problem

2. Design and Plan

3. Build the Program

4. Run the Program

5. Test and Debug

6. Document your Program

7. Compile and Distribute

21

Build Your First Application

Hands-On Exercise 1 (p.47-57) Create a New Project Set Visual Basic Options Restart Visual Basic Create the Initial Screen Create the Final Screen Add an Image to the Final Screen Save Your Project Run Your Project Close the Project and Exit Visual Basic

22

Project Files

vbp extension = Visual Basic Project file that tracks all components

frm extension = Form file separate file for each form

frx extension = Binary form file cannot be read by humans

vbw extension = Visual Basic workspace

23

The File Menu

Project commands

Make executable commands

Most recent project list

Exit command

24

The File Menu

New Project Open Project Add Project Remove Project Save Project Save Project As

Save Component Save Component As Print Print Setup

25

The File Menu

Template - particular pattern for a project or a project element; start a project from a template saves time

Existing tab - displays VB projects

Recent tab - displays most recently accessed projects

Project Groups - a collection of several projects

26

Using the Code Editor

GUI (Graphical User Interface) - forms and windows that the user sees

Property - a characteristic or attribute of an object such as color and size

Event - a user action such as clicking a button

Code Editor window - editor specially designed to help you when writing code

27

Testing and Debugging

Humans are not perfect Rarely code programs right the first time Test to find problems Debug to correct problems First bug - Grace Hopper story

28

Code, Test and Debug Your First Application

Hands-On Exercise 2 (p.63-71) Open the Hello World Project Change the Form’s properties Change the Command Button’s properties Change the Label’s properties Change the Image’s property Add Code for the Click Here button Add Code for the Exit button Save and Run your project Test and Debug your project Exit Visual Basic

End of Lecture