INTRODUCTION TO GUI PROGRAMMING USING VISUAL BASIC

CIS 599

Instructor: John Blumberg

Phone: 497-2782

Home Page http://eol.grolen.com/mpwclubs

Tu-Th 5:00 -- 8:00 7/6/99 -- 7/29/99

This course is an introduction to Graphical User Interface and event driven processes and programs using Visual Basic. Topics covered include:

Forms and controls
Menus
Variables and constants
Decisions
Loop structures
Arrays
Modules

Students will code several VB programs. Classes include lecture and lab activities using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. Students should be familiar with the Windows ’95 environment, file and disk management, and a working knowledge of Windows applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Learn the fundamental concepts of procedural and event driven programming.
Design a Graphic User Interface [GUI] for a particular problem.
Code in Visual Basic [VB] the commands necessary for that GUI.
Learn to track, analyze and debug programs.

COURSE MATERIALS

Text:

Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Professional (Step by Step), Michael Halvorson, Microsoft Press; (August 1998) ISBN: 1572318090

Diskettes:

At least, two IBM preformatted diskettes. Bookstore has 3.5"

LECTURES

Class meetings are twice a week for three hours. Lecture topics and assigned readings are detailed on the syllabus. Demonstrations of software applications are part of the class meeting. Excessive absence or arriving late in class can adversely affect your ability to successfully complete the course.

LAB ASSIGNMENTS

Lab assignments are given each class. These assignments are during class and, if necessary, done outside of the class meeting. Participation in the lab activity is the largest component of this course. Lab assignments can be done only on the computers at the University Center Lab (Rm 306: Mo-Th 9:00-8:00).

The assignments must be completed using the software application under study in the course [Microsoft VB 6.0]. Students may use home computers to work lab assignments if and only if they have Microsoft VB 6.0 on those computers.

Some collaboration on the lab projects is permitted and expected. Students suspected of excessive collaboration will not receive credit for that particular project. Collaboration includes "consulting with others about the lab projects, copying another's homework and submitting it as your own" (Student Handbook, Section 09.2).

Lab projects will be evaluated on completeness, accuracy, and presentation, that is organization and documentation.
If you choose to resubmit the assignment with attached corrections, it must be within one week of the returned material. Grade will be adjusted accordingly.
Late work will receive a penalty of at least one-half a letter grade per class late. Work more than two [2] weeks late will not be graded.

You are advised to compile your lab work in a notebook binder or folder for easy reference during the semester.

COURSE GRADE

The final grade in this course is based on the following:

Lab Assignments: 70%

Final Exam: 20%

Class & Attendance 10%

Standard used for letter grade assignments:

A = 90 - 100

B = 80 - 89

C = 70 - 79

D = 60 - 69

F = 59 - >

Note: Tests cannot be made up unless the student arranges previous notification. Due means due at the beginning of the next class period. Late assignments will be assessed one half a letter grade for each class past the announced due date.

ASSISTANCE

I am available via email. Yes, I do answer email on a very regular basis. If you must, you can also reach me by phone. If I am out, please leave a message.

Lab attendants can assist you with some hardware and software problems. They do not perform instructional services in the lab, and do not know VB 6.0 programming. If you have a question, ask it in class.

INTERNET INFORMATION

Current syllabus, schedule, lab assignments and other information are available via the Internet at http://eol.grolen.com/mpwclubs.

INTRODUCTION TO GUI PROGRAMMING USING VISUAL BASIC

CIS 599

Tu-Th 5:00 -- 8:00 7/6/99 -- 7/29/99

Course Schedule

Class	Topic	Reading	Lab Assignment	Lesson Due
July 6, 1999	Intro to VB Intro to the lab	Part 1, 1 - 48	Lesson 1 & 2
July 8, 1999	Controls	Part 1, 49 - 114	Lesson 3	2
July 13, 1999	Menus	Part 2, 115 - 146	Lesson 4	3
July 15, 1999	Variables and Operations	Part 2, 147 - 172	Lesson 5	4
July 20, 1999	Decisions	Part 2, 173 - 198	Lesson 6	5
July 22, 1999	Loops and Timers	Part 3, 227 - 267	Lesson 7	6
July 27, 1999	Art Work		Lesson 9	7
July 29, 1999	Final Test			9

This is primarily a laboratory course. The time period is short, four weeks with eight meetings. It is important that each student read the material assigned before coming to class. While the textbook provides step by step instruction, real learning can only be achieved by reviewing the material before sitting down at the computer.