Although I changed the last revision date for this post, very little of the actual data has changed in this FAQ (mea culpa:). However, I have done some prelimary work and hacked out a HTML'ized version of this FAQ for the rapidly growing world of the World Wide Web. I have made this faq available through my home page and have also created a page of Visual basic links to many of the other web sources and pages out there Click here to go my VB Page. As usual, please respond with comments, flames, praises (yeah right:) or anything else to me at millard@buffnet.netI am currently working on HTML versions of the other FAQ's, so please keep an eye out on comp.lang.basic.visual.announce for those documents, or check back at my VB page.
I was really surprised to see how long it had been since I'd revised this FAQ. For all those needing some new material out there, my sincerest apologies. There has been an enormous amount of change in the make-up of the entire comp.lang.basic.visual hierarchy, and I hope you take time to examine the new sections of this document. As always, if you have anything to contribute to this document, please mail me by clicking here.
Most FAQs (including this one) are available at the anonymous ftp archive site "rtfm.mit.edu" or the AOL Mirrors.
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/comp.lang.basic.visual/*" 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:
The New groups divide up the discussions concerning specific applications of Visual Basic and types of tools used in the development process. The basic outline of groups is shown below:
| COMP.LANG.BASIC.VISUAL | Holding Group |
| |--------- .DATABASE | Un-Moderated |
| |--------- .3RDPART | Un-Moderated |
| |--------- .MISC | Un-Moderated |
| |--------- .ANNOUNCE | Moderated |
The original CLBV newsgroup will eventually be phassed out as a discussion group and will be a hierarchy name used to contain the child groups. Please make a concerted effort to use the new groups as soon as they are available at your site. Although it has been quite some time since the creation, I understand that some sites are just now (mid-November of '94) beginning to see the new groups. Once the new groups "arrive" at your site, please refrain from posting to the actual comp.lang.basic.visual group; please use the new .misc group for general postings.
The DATABASE sub-group is dedicated to the discussion of the uses of Visual Basic in database applications, and various database specific tools.
The 3RDPARTY sub-group is dedicated to discussions and questions concerning add-ons to the Visual Basic environment. These add-ons can take the form of VBX or OCX controls, DLL Libraries or LIB Libraries, or development utilities which enhance the IDE.
The MISC sub-group replaces the current clbv newsgroup. This is the place for discussion not appropriate in the other un- moderated groups.
The ANNOUNCE group is a moderated group which is the appropriate place to post announcements concerning bug fixes (from vendors), new product announcements, Usenet management postings (such as RFD's, CFV's, and such for related groups), and other vendor support postings.
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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.
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This will be an unmoderated group.
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This group will also contain questions and answers to people looking for various tools to accomplish specific tasks. Additionally, it is hoped that various commercial vendors that supply such tools would take part in discussions concerning their respective products as a forum for general tech support for those tools.
This will be an unmoderated group.
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This will be a moderated group.
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The .misc group would basically replace the current comp.lang.basic.visual discussion group where all of the above topics (and more) are being discussed daily. The split of the other groups should drastically reduce the amount of volume in this "catch all" group.
This will be an unmoderated group.
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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 quickly 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.
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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. In addition to being able to use the standard run-time modules, VBDOS Professional allows the creation of custom run-time modules. (A feature which VB/Win does not support.)
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.
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 |
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[I have been using OS/2 as a development OS for over a year while using various compilers, etc... including VBDOS Pro 1.0 and VB/Win Pro 3.0. If anybody is willing to contribute items of note about running VB/Win and/or VBDOS under NT, and running them under Insignia's SOFTWindows on a Power-Mac I would add it to this section (hint, hint :)]
VB/Win runs quite well under OS/2 ver 2.1, and OS/2 3.0 Warp. Be sure to run it under a full-screen windows session (as it improves performance dramatically). In addition, be sure to do extensive checking of your code on "real" windows before distributing it. This insures that all API functions, and other emulations (on the part of OS/2) work correctly. Some settings you may want to tweak are: DPMI usage should be 'enabled', not 'auto', priority should be set to 100. Disable EMS (set to 0) and make sure XMS is set to an appropriate level. All settings which were applicable in OS/2 2.1 are also appropriate under WARP.
VBDOS runs very well under OS/2 ver 2.1 and OS/2 3.0 WARP also. Be sure to set the DPMI setting to 'enabled', not 'auto' to completely take advantage of this type of memory usage. You may experience some problems with the Linker that comes with OS/2 when linking stand- alone applications. Use the linker that came with VB and these problems should disappear.
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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. See the info & links to various sources for the KB in the What are some other VB resources and where can I get them? section of this document.
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 one newsgroup in the COMP.LANG.BASIC.VISUAL hierarchy. 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 these newsgroups, 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").
When you do post to a newsgroup in the hierarchy, decide which group your subject matter pertains to and only post to that group. If you are unsure which group is the correct one, post it to the .misc group. DO NOT cross-post the article to all groups in the hierarchy, as this clearly defeats the reasons behind splitting the group in the first place. If you need more guidance as to which group is the proper one, consult the charters (see above sections) for general guidelines as to the contents of a specific newsgroup. These charters designate what topics will be discussed in which newsgroups. If you still aren't sure, you could post to the .misc group or you can fire off some e-mail to me (better to waste my bandwidth as opposed to the entire nets, I guess).
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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. To Download the latest version now, click here (617 Kb).
There are a couple of On-Line magazines that often have very informative articles, info, example code, and sometimes utilities.
If you are using WWW, there are numerous places to hunt down VB related sites, info, and files. To start you off, here are some helpful links.
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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
|
This BBS is devoted to VB and nothing but VB. Conferences and file areas are available for a variety of VB topics. It has lots of shareware controls and tools to support Visual Basic developers. We will soon carry the VB Usenet newsgroups.
Sysop: Andy Dean
Voice Line: (404) 872-8728
Some Useful files in the MSBASIC forum:
- VBBK05.ZIP: List of books/mags dealing with VB.
- MLIST4.ZIP: Multi-column listbox. No 64K limit.
In addition, the Visual Basic Programmer's Journal (VBPJ) also maintains forum space on Compuserve. If anybody can provide brief details on these forums, I will gladly add them. As I have no access to Compuserve, I cannot gather that information at this time.
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