Preface

Summary

Who Should Use This Book?

This book is written for the newbie. It's not for those who already know programming. If you know the basics of the computer, like word processing, spreadsheets, email, and surfing, then you're ready to go.

What's Included?

This book covers the basics, like variable and assignment statements. It explains programming sequence, selection, and repetition structures – fundamentals to the design of any good program. It explains controls and their uses, the basic tools for designing your interface. Procedures and functions are covered, which are the basic building blocks of larger programs. File input and output (I/O) is introduced. Good programs run on data and I/O is how data get into and out of the computer. From there, arrays are introduced and used to implement more complicated programming logic including control breaks, sorting, and searching. Events make things happen in a program and one chapter is dedicated to events, including drag and drop. Objects are introduced and an understanding of them is crucial for successful developers. For a little fun, there's a chapter on graphics and sound, but you'll need a good foundation in programming sequence, logic, and repetition to get the most from it. The world runs on databases and the last two chapters cover the basics of databases, including an introduction to LINQ to SQL and Crystal Reports. LINQ connects programs to databases. SQL (Structured Query Language) is designed to find, update, and report data, and Crystal Reports is designed for data presentation.