Visual Basic 6.0: 8-day track: Part 2/3: Programming Applications

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Course Overview

This course introduces you to objects, then explores the Microsoft data access technologies ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) and OLE DB. You will build reports using the Data Report Designer, use form modules, work with user-defined collections and create your own objects. This course will introduce you to advanced concepts, allowing you to create your own MDI applications, use Windows common controls, harness the power of the Windows API, and finish projects with optimization techniques and other professional touches.

Prerequisites

Visual Basic 6.0 - Level 1 or equivalent experience.

Course Outline

An Introduction to Objects

• What Is an Object?
• The Object Browser
• System Objects
• Introducing Object Variables
• Classifying Objects
• Referring to Objects
• Using the Global Forms Collection
• Working with External Objects

Managing Data with ADO

• What is ADO?
• Getting Started with ADO
• The ADO Object Hierarchy
• The ADO Connection Object
• Working with Recordset Properties and Methods
• The Command Object
• Updating Recordset Data

ADO and Unbound Forms

• Forms and ADO
• Displaying Data on the Form
• Changing Data on the Form
• Finding Data on the Form
• Using a Default Recordset
• Maintaining State Information

Using UI Data Tools

• What's Wrong with the ADO Data Control?
• Taking Advantage of the Data Environment
• The Hierarchical FlexGrid Control
• Advanced Uses for the Data Environment Designer
• Creating reports in Visual Basic

Using Form Modules

• What's a Form?
• Adding Form Methods
• Adding Form Properties
• Implementing Dialog Boxes
• Creating Multiple Instances of a Form
• Life Cycle of a Form

Creating Your Own Objects

• Introduction to Class Modules
• Starting and Stopping
• Properties Aren't Always So Simple
• A Simple, Useful Class
• TextFile: Working with Text Files
• Using the Class Builder

Working with Collections

• Collection Overview
• Using the Collection Object

Creating MDI Applications

• What is MDI?
• Working with MDI Applications
• Using Window Common Controls

Working with the Windows API

• What is the Windows API?
• API Declarations
• Using the API Viewer/WIN32API.TXT
• A Few Simple Examples
• Declaring User-Defined Data Types
• Working with Strings
• Talking to Controls (Using SendMessage)
• Resources

Optimizing Visual Basic Programs

• Testing Hypotheses
• Where Do You Look?
• Optimizing Code and Display Speed
• Optimizing Apparent Speed
• Optimizing Size in Memory

Adding Professional Touches

• Storing Program Options
• Using the Common Dialog Control
• Adding Standard Forms
• Creating Your Own Templates

Visual Basic 6.0: 8-day track: Part 2/3: Programming Applications / VB6-B