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HUMBER SCHOOL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

COURSE OUTLINE

ACADEMIC YEAR FALL '02 TO SUMMER '03

 

COURSE NUMBER CPAN 220
   
COURSE NAME Visual Basic
   
CREDITS 4
   
PRE-REQUISITES CPAN 120 Fundamentals of Programming and Design Using Java OR
  ISYS 116 Fundamentals of Programming and Design Using C
   
TEXT REQUIRED Beginning Visual Basic 6
  By Peter Wright
  Wrox Press
ISBN 1-861001-05-3
   
SUPPLEMENTARY TEXT (NOT REQUIRED): Programming With Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 For Windows
  Diane Zak
  Course Technology ITP Nelson
ISBN 0-619-062-045
   
ORIGINATED BY: Steve Flude DATE:
     
REVISED BY: Steve Flude DATE: June, 2002
     

 

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Visual Basic is a revolutionary programming language developed by Microsoft, which represents a conceptually different approach to programming, called event-driven programming. This course will guide the student through many aspects of Visual Basic programming, from simple forms to more complex Windows applications

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:

1. Understand event driven programming;
2. Define the terms related to Visual Basic objects: properties, methods and events;
3. Use Visual Basic to create programs that contain various VB controls;
4. Change properties at design time and during program execution;
5. Write Visual Basic code to action events, use menus and message boxes;
6. Use the VB debug facility;
7. Create multi-form projects using pre-designed VB forms and custom-designed forms;
8. Create and execute applications that can open, read from, write to, and close data files;
9. Use OLE to exchange information between Windows applications;
10. Handle VB runtime errors;
11. Use the Multi-Document interface to create parent and child forms.

 

GENERIC SKILLS

The following generic skills will be acquired and/or enhanced:

COMMUNICATION

  • Communicate in written, oral and diagrammatic form, using appropriate formal and informal vocabulary and format.
  • Demonstrate ability to respond to oral instructions.
  • Use an appropriate level of work-related terminology in report correspondence and discussions.
  • Read and comprehend reports, standard reference material, manuals, diagrams, drawings, schedules and summarize the information.
  • Interpret a broad range of complex technical instructions (e.g. program specifications).
  • Read and interpret policy and procedure.

MATHEMATICS

  • Apply the fundamentals of mathematics (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication, integers, signed integers, averages, fractions and percentages) to the solution of routine problems within the discipline.
  • Apply appropriate formulae to solve common business problems (e.g. present value)
  • Define precision and accuracy in mathematical calculations and use the rule for significant figures.
  • Simplify and add, subtract, multiply and divide algebraic expressions and algebraic fractions.

 

CURRICULUM DETAIL:

1.

Getting Started with Visual Basic

  • The Visual Basic desktop
  • The Visual Basic Help System
  • The structure of a Visual Basic project
  • Create, Save, Run and Print a Project

A - Ch. 1 Pg. 9-45

B - Tutorial 1

2.

Inside a Visual Basic Program

  • Event Driven versus Procedural Programming
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Controls, Properties, Methods, Events and Event Procedures
  • The Object Browser
  • Naming Conventions for Controls

A- Ch. 2 Pg. 47-49,

Ch. 3 Pg. 78-79, 82-83,

Ch. 17 Pg. 601-603

B - Preface,Tutorial 1

3.

Visual Basic Projects

  • Forms in more detail
  • Change the Program Icon
  • Add code to a project
  • Create an Executable File

A - Ch 2 Pg. 50-70

B - Tutorial 1

4.

Designing Windows Applications

  • Create consistent and effective graphical user interfaces
  • Use a Task, Object, Event Chart to Design Applications

Handout

B - Tutorial 2

5.

Command Buttons

  • The basics of Controls
  • Placing, Sizing, Aligning and Locking Controls
  • Command Buttons and their properties
  • Common Events

A - Ch. 3 Pg. 73-82

Pg. 101-104

B - Tutorial 1

6.

Labels and Text Boxes

  • The Label Control and its properties
  • Text Boxes and their properties
  • Get Data from a Text Box
  • Check for an Empty Text Box

A - Ch. 3 Pg. 83-95,

Pg. 104-106

B - Tutorial 2

7.

Check Boxes and Option Buttons

  • Check Boxes and their properties
  • Check the Value of a Check Box
  • Option Buttons and their properties
  • Check the Value of an Option Button
  • Frames as Containers

A - Ch. 3 Pg. 96-99

B - Tutorial 4

 

 

8.

Picture Boxes, Image Controls and Timers

  • Image File Formats
  • Picture Boxes and Image Controls
  • Use Pictures as the Background for a Form
  • Incorporate Picture files into an .EXE
  • The Timer control

A - Ch. 3 Pg. 100-101

B - Tutorial 1, 3

9.

Functions and Subprocedures

  • The difference between Functions and Subprocedures
  • Advantages of using User-Defined Functions and Subprocedures
  • Distinguish between Event Subprocedures and User-DefinedSubprocedures
  • Code User-Defined Functions and Subprocedures
  • The difference between Public and Private

A - Ch. 4 Pg. 113-119

B - Tutorial 4

10.

Modules

  • What is a Module
  • Create a Module
  • Build a Function/Subprocedure Library

A - Ch. 4 Pg. 119-124,

Ch. 9 Pg. 272

B - Tutorial 4

11.

Decisions

  • Single-line IF statements
  • Multi-line IF statements
  • Compound IF statements to test multiple conditions
  • The SELECT CASE statement
  • SELECT Based on Multiple Conditions

A - Ch. 4 Pg. 124-140

B - Tutorial 4

12.

Loops

  • For…Next
  • Do…Loop While and Do Loop…While
  • Do…Loop Until and Do Loop…Until

A - Ch. 4 Pg. 141-148

B - Tutorial 5

13.

Types of Data

  • Types of data Visual Basic can work with
  • Declare Variables and Constants
  • The Variant Data Type

A - Ch. 5 Pg. 153-159,

Ch. 6 Pg. 185-192

B - Tutorial 3

14.

Scope

  • Variable Scope
  • Private, Static, Form and Module Level, and Public Variables
  • Determine which Scope to use and why

A - Ch. 5 Pg. 159-161

B - Tutorial 3

15.

Strings

  • Declare and work with Strings
  • Manipulate Strings using Mid, Left, Right, InStr and Len
  • Concatenate Strings
  • Change the Case of a String
  • Compare and Search Strings

A - Ch. 5 Pg. 161-174

B - Tutorial 3 & 6

16.

Numbers

  • Declare Numeric Variables
  • The Assignment Statement
  • The Math Operators
  • The Math Functions
  • The Format Function
  • Use Scrollbars to Input Numbers

A - Ch. 5 Pg. 174-176

B - Tutorial 2,3

17.

Date/Time

  • System Clock Functions
  • The Date and Time Data Type

A - Ch. 5 Pg. 176-181

B - Tutorial 3

18.

Arrays

  • Arrays of Data
  • For Each…Next to process Arrays
  • Control Arrays

A - Ch. 6 Pg. 193-201

B - Tutorial 5 & 9

19.

List and Combo Boxes

  • Use List Boxes to display and select items
  • Select Multiple Entries
  • Use Combo Boxes to display and select items
  • Different Styles of Combo Boxes
  • . Combo Box events

A - Ch. 7 Pg. 205-233

B - Tutorial 6 & 9

20.

Error Handling

  • Handle Errors at Run Time

A - Ch. 9 Pg. 266-276

B - Tutorial 7

21.

Debugging

  • The Visual Basic Debugger
  • Step through your code
  • The Immediate Window
  • Breakpoints

A - Ch. 9 Pg. 276-296

B - Tutorial 9

22.

The Menu Editor

  • Use the Menu Editor to create simple menus
  • Edit Menus
  • Menu Properties
  • Add code to Menu Subprocedures
  • Shortcut Keys and Separator Bars

A - Ch. 10 Pg. 300-319

B - Tutorial 6

23.

Life Cycle of a Form

  • Use Form events to manage forms effectively

Handout

B - Tutorial 9

24.

Message and Input Boxes

  • Types of Message Boxes
  • Input Boxes
  • Edit for an Empty Input Box

A - Ch. 11 Pg. 333-347

B - Tutorial 3

25.

Common Dialog Boxes

  • The concept of Common Dialog Boxes
  • Common Dialog Boxes (Open, Color, Font and Print)

A - Ch. 11 Pg. 347-367

B - Tutorial 7

26.

Custom Dialog Boxes

  • Use Predesigned Forms as Dialog Boxes
  • Custom Dialog Boxes

A - Ch. 11 Pg. 367-372

B - Tutorial 3

27.

Sequential File Handling

  • Sequential Files (open, close, read and write)

A - Ch. 11 Pg. 372-381

B - Tutorial 7 & 8

28.

Multiple Document Interface

  • The difference between SDI and MDI applications
  • MDI Parent and Child forms in an MDI Project
  • Instances of Forms
  • Window Menus

A - Ch. 15 Pg. 540-552

 

29.

Toolbars and Statusbars

  • Toolbars
  • Statusbars
Handout

CLASS FORMAT

Classes will take the form of lecture and presentation, which will be supplemented by hands-on exercise in a lab to apply the lecture material to practical Visual Basic applications. Assignments will be given which necessitate additional time in the labs other than the scheduled class time.

 

 

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

An average of 60% must be achieved on the tests for the assignments and case study to be counted for the final mark.

The Marking distribution is as follows:

2 TEST (30% EACH) 60%
ASSIGNMENTS/ EXERCISES/ LABS/ CASE STUDY 40%

 

This course has been designated a Programming Course. In all Programming courses, a portion of the marks on Assignments will be allocated to program structure, screen layout and print layout, as applicable

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

(PLA) College PLA requirements must be followed. PLA consists of an oral qualifying interview and, if successful, a challenge exam. Depending on the level of success on the challenge exam, a case study may be assigned.

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

It is the responsibility of each student to be knowledgeable of the Humber College Academic Regulations and the School of Information Technology Academic Standards and Regulations. Copies of the standards are available in the School of Information Technology main office H221. It is the student's responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use in support of applications for transfer credit to other educational institutions. **A charge of $5.00 per course outline may apply for additional copies.**

DISCLAIMER

Every effort will be made by the instructor of the course to cover all the material listed. However, in the event of special circumstances (i.e. time constraints due to inclement weather, sickness, technology problems or changes, etc) the order, content and/or evaluation may be changed with prior notification to students and approval from the Dean/Associate Dean