Course Description
This course provides the beginning programmer with a solid foundation in Visual Basic programming using visualization and application. Designed for beginners with little or no previous programming experience, this course emphasizes solid programming principles and teaches the Visual Basic language in the process. By putting standard concepts like input, output, selection, and repetition at the forefront, instead of focusing solely on a specific language, students will gain knowledge and insights that are easily transferable to other languages.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to
- Introduces Visual Basic for information processing and problem solving.
- Uses algorithms and computer logic to translate data into information through structured design, coding, testing, and program debugging.
Week 1
Lecture: An Introduction to Programming
Outcomes
- Define the terminology used in programming
- Explain the tasks performed by a programmer
- Describe the qualities of a good programmer
- Identify the employment opportunities for programmers
- Describe the three control structures
- Write simple algorithms using the sequence, selection, and repetition structures
- Identify the output and input in a problem description
- Plan an algorithm using pseudocode and flowcharts
- Desk check an algorithm
Week 2
Module: Introducing Visual Basic
Outcomes
- Create a Visual Basic 2008 Windows application
- Add a control to a form using the Label and PictureBox tools
- Set the properties of an object
- Save a solution
- Size and align objects using the Format menu
- Lock the controls on a form
- Start and end an application
- Close and open an existing solution
- Get user input by using a text box
- Perform an action with a button control
- Code a control’s Click event procedure
- Stop an application using the Me.Close() instruction
Week 3
Module: Codes, Variables, and Constants
Outcomes
- Convert text to a numeric data type using the TryParse method
- Understand the scope and lifetime of variables
- Desk check a program
- Format a program’s numeric output
Week 4
Lecture: Fixing Your Problems and Decision Making
Outcomes
- Locate syntax errors using the Error List window
- Locate a logic error by stepping through the code
- Locate logic errors using breakpoints
- Fix syntax and logic errors
- Show the selection structure in both pseudocode and a flowchart
- Write If…Then…Else statements
- Include comparison operators in a selection structure’s condition
- Add a check box to an interface
Week 5
Lecture: Nests and Selection
Outcomes
- Define nested selection structures
- Include logical operators in a selection structure’s condition
- Code a multiple-path selection structure using If/ElseIf/Else
- Declare a variable using the String data type
- Convert a string to uppercase or lowercase
- Code a multiple-path selection structure using Select Case
- Include a radio button in an interface
Week 6
Lecture: Testing and Loops
Outcomes
- Select appropriate test data for an application
- Prevent the entry of unwanted characters in a text box
- Create a message box with the MessageBox.Show method
- Trim leading and trailing spaces from a string
- Write a pretest loop using the Do…Loop statement
- Utilize counter and accumulator variables
- Refresh the screen
- Delay program execution
- Show a pretest loop in both pseudocode and a flowchart
- Display a dialog box using the InputBox function
Week 7
Lecture: More Looping
Outcomes
- Write a posttest loop using the Do…Loop statement
- Show a posttest loop in both pseudocode and a flowchart
- Concatenate strings
- Code a pretest loop using the For…Next statement
- Calculate a periodic payment using the Financial.Pmt method
Week 8
Lecture: Nested Reperition
Outcomes
- List Create nested repetition structures
- Utilize a text box’s Multiline, ReadOnly, and ScrollBars properties
The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. February 2013.
