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Chapter 1

An Introduction to Computers and Visual

Basic

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Outline and Objectives

•Introduction to Computers

•Using Windows

•Files and Folders

•An Introduction to Visual Basic

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Parts of a Computer System:

Hardware: Electronic Devices Software: Instructions and Computer

Programs

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Main components of Hardware:

Input : Keyboard, Mouse System unit:

•Random Access Memory (RAM)

•Central Processing Unit (CPU) Output: Monitor, Printer Secondary Storage: Disk Drive

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Random Access Memory (RAM)

Stores program instructions and data needed for processing.

Stores intermediate and final results of processing.

Contents are erased when computer is turned off or reset (volatile).

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Programming Languages:

Machine Language High level Language

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Machine Language The fundamental language of the

computer’s processor, also called Low Level Language.

All programs are converted into machine language before they can be executed.

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High Level Language

Computer (programming) languages that are easier to learn.

Uses English like statements. Examples are C++, Visual Basic, and

Java

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Software:

Instructions for the hardware. A collection of instructions is called a

program.

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Using Windows Basic techniques to use the mouse:

•Pointing: moving mouse until the pointer is above desired object on the screen

•Clicking: press and release the left mouse button once

•Dragging (drag and drop): hold object, move it , then release

•Double-Clicking: clicking the left mouse button twice in quick succession.

•Hovering: lingering mouse at particular place and waiting for a message or menu to appear

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Key Terms in using Windows

Title Bar Active window Dragging a window

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Using Windows

•Reviewing Notepad to learn more about Windows applications

•Notepad is an item in the Accessories menu

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Files & Folders: A disk can store thousands of files. To organize your files you have to store

them in different folders (directories).

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Key Terms in using Folders

Root folder Path: A nested sequence of folders

•Example: \Temp\MyProjects\ File Specification: A drive letter, path,

and filename•Example: A:\Temp\MyProjects\Example.vbp

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History of Visual Basic:

BASIC stands for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code.

BASIC was developed by John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz in mid-1960s.

Visual Basic was released in 1991 by the Microsoft Corporation.

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Introduction to Visual Basic:

A language used to create windows applications.

Programs are developed with a Graphical User Interface or GUI.

The instructions executed in the program are controlled by events.

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Terminology used in Visual Basic:

Form Control Object Properties Event

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Steps to Design a Visual Basic Application

Design the appearance of the window that the user sees.

Determine the events that the controls on the window should recognize.

Write the event procedures for those events.