Book Description
This introduction to Basic language programmingusing QBasic and Visual Basic has—through three previouseditions—successfully taught readers the fundamentals of programming fromthe ground up, using the simplicity and clarity of QBasic to illustrateproblem-solving techniques and structured programming. Designed for use with the IBM-PC and its compatibles, the book presents thefundamentals of computer programming, such as input, decision structures, andloop structures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

New to Programming?
I have read the third edition of this book.
If you are new to programming, then this is a good book for you.
This book starts off with the introduction to computers such as the definition of personal computer, how one communicates with the computer, how computers perform complicated tasks, etc.Then the user interface of QBASIC is shown, explaining the use of the Menu Bar, Title Bar, View Window, etc.Some basic DOS commands are also presented and the biographical history of computing is also discussed.

A chapter is then devoted to Problem Solving.In this chapter, the use of flowcharts (a very useful programming tool) is introduced.

The rest of the chapters discuss topics like

-Numbers - addition, subtraction, division, etc.
-Scientific notation - how some large and very small numbers are presented.
-Variables
-Print and LPrint
-Strings - Concatenation of strings, ASCII Tables, LEFT$, RIGHT$, MID$, UCASE$, LEN, INSTR,
-Data Input - READ and DATA Statements together with RESTORE, INPUT
-REM - The use of the REMark Statement
-PRINT Statement - Screen Placement and Formatting, PRINT USING, Output to the Printer,

-Subprograms - How variables and expressions are passed, passing values from subprograms to the main body,
-Functions - INT, CHR$, LEN, MID$, INSTR

-Decisions -=, <>, >, <, <= and >=, IF-THEN-ELSE, ELSE IF, SELECT CASE,

Repetition - This chapter discusses Do Loops, how one can process data in a list format with Do Loops, Nested Loops, Flags i.e. a variable to keep track of whether certain event has occurred, FOR...Next Loops and finally a case study on developing a menu-driven program to analyse loan is presented.

Arrays are then discussed in the next chapter.Some applications of arrays such as the Bubble sort and the Shell Sort are discussed in this chapter.Sequential search and Binary search are also discussed.Two-Dimensional Arrays are also presented.

Chapter 8 deals with Sequential files.The WRITE command is introduced.Sorting and merging of sequential files are also presented.

Chapter 9 deals with Random Access Files

Chapter 10 deals with graphical display of data.Commands such as SCREEN, LINE, and WINDOW are presented.The constructions of line charts, bar charts and pie charts are also discussed.

The final chapter introduces Visual Basic.This book comes with a Disk.Contained in the disk is the source code for all the examples in the text (so you don't have to type them).Also, a setup file for a "Not-Full"-Version of Visual Basic is contained in the disk.

Regards,
Tee Horng Hean
www.freesoftware.com.my

Lets one appreciate ease of programming today
I am a fairly expierenced programmer, but I decided to take a look at this book anyway.

Nearly 5 years ago, Vol 1 introduced me to VB. Everyone told me that QBasic (A language known as Structured) was dead, and to learn Visual Basic (Known as Object Oriented Programming) instead. I tried andtried, but I could not grasp Visual Basic. I came accross this book, whichintroduced QBasic to me. It did it clearly, which is an acomplishment isitself. Best of all, it let me learn VB and QBasic, which I still use tothis day.

On to this volume. Since QB hasn't changed since '91, the QBsection has grown in detail. Many advanced elements are introduced, likemachine language and controlling memmory. Also, the so called "DOSAPI" is demystifided.

The VB code is not quite as great. Much of thetime consuming QB code like PRINT and INPUT is now gone in VB, replaced by2 mouse actions. The bulk of this section is re-explaining QB information,which becomes redudant. The Windows API is briefly introduced, but notexpanded upon. If you need detailed, advanced VB information, lookelsewhere. The bridge is made and is effective, but certain necessaryskills are not made in the VB section.

The book comes with VB on CD, butbe warned. It is a fully functional copy of VB, minus the ability to makeEXEs. The reason Microsoft made this available was to further there newActive-X controls Internet market. Besides that, VB5CCE (what is includedon this disk) can be downloaded as a 9.5MB file from[Microsoft]. having it on a CD is a nice conviencethough.

Despite redundancy and some oversimplification, this is aextremely valuable learning resource.

QBASIC book - my overveiw.
I think that this book is too tough to follow up with. I really understood the language better by taking a course than reading the book. The book is really confusing and rambles on about nothing.

Excellent for understanding the connection between Q&VBasic.
The beginning student rarely understands the development of programming very well, and thus it's confusing trying to understand the connection between QBasic -- little used anymore -- and VBasic, which looks quitedifferent, at least initially.This book dissolves the confusion.

QBasic remains important, because it is an excellent tool for learningthe fundamentals of programming.But obviously VBasic is the more usefulstate-of-the-art tool.Thus, connecting the two is a very effective way tolearn the "basics" and the subsequent development of programmingtechniques.

The book is clear and concise, uses nice examples andexercises, and is well-organized and thought out.I would recommend itvery highly as an introductory programming text.

Dr. William A. Bradnan ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great all around guide for QBASIC!
Teaches you the basics and on up. Has good text and examples. Excellent reference stuff (ASCII values; color values; summary of every statement) Teaches the basics of a computer, using a mouse, using windows, and an intro to VisualBasic. The only problem: Some of the statements it lists in the summary section aren't mentioned anywhere else, hence there aren't many details and no examples. :( Together with the QB help file and a great website where you can ask other programmers questions (like The QBASIC Forum - just ask Alipha, she knows everything!) you can write anything in no time!

The Real Deal of QBasic
QBASIC is a 'rarely used' .It is still on MS Windows CD, however, and is better then VISUAL BASIC for the hobbyist IMHO. This is a great 2nd BASIC book. Chock full of goodies and tidbits; (some of no value.) Some versionsof QBASIC don't seem to act 'just' as the book's tells. Nothing fatal oreven major. Not a lot of folks are going to use many of the more remotebits in this physically heavy volume but most of the obscure [butfascinating] info I have not seen in print for 20 years. ... [printing theASCII number when you know the letter, by example.] A disk comes with thebook. I have never used it.This book is the real deal. Heavy-Duty bucksbut good card binding and low acid paper ... should last a while. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gets you going, and then leaves you hanging
This book is part of a class I am taking, it's good to a point, but right when you think you've got it, WHAM! they (authors) throw something at you that isn't covered in the chapter but has a question on it. For a beginneryou need to have more references and examples....still looking for one. ... Read more

Book Description
Based on Bradley's best-selling Quick BASIC and QBASIC Using Modular Structure, Second Edition, this alternate edition includes a 48-page appendix that covers the essentials of VisualBASIC programming. This text is perfect for instructor's wishing to expose first-time programmers to Microsoft's object-oriented BASIC language while still covering the fundamentals of programming using modular structure. It is intended for undergraduate course, introduction to programming using BASIC. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The price is not cheaper.
The price is not cheaper elsewhere.unfortunately, the reviewer who made this claim was neglegent in making sure it was correct.i have checked the other two "biggie" online bookstores, ..., and the price is the same. ...P>I thought this needed clearing up.Amazon.com provides a needed service and is very good at what they do.

Thank You ... Read more

Book Description
QBasic in a logical, easy-to-follow format! This excellent tutorial will have readers performing advanced programming techniques such as drawing graphics and adding music in just a few short weeks.

• Features Q&A sections to help answer common questions users have about learning QBasic
• Includes a comprehensive glossary that provides definitions for key programming terms

Customer Reviews (6)

poorly laid out book
Asa teacher, you would not present material in the order that this book does.For example, math operators are not introduced until pg 83 and yet there are numerous examples in the previous pages that use the math operators.In another beginning programming example, the author uses a dice throwing program (p49)to illustrate how variables are used and created.Unfortunately, the INT and RND commands that he uses in the program are not explained until pages 477 and 471, respectively!!Unless you are already a QBASIC programmer you would not understand many of the illustrations in this book,and I think that the purpose of the book is to teach the user QBASIC programming from scratch.This book is obviously written by someone who has never taught before, or is a lousy teacher.I don't recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn QBASIC.I doubt that I will purchase any of the "SAMS Teach Yourself..." books in the future because I would be wary that they are not laid out logically.

Great step up book to the programming world of Q-Basic
This book, is great for even the most inexperianced programmers. Even with my background of other "basic" programming languages, this book put my knowledge over the top. My group, ordered this book, for anupcomming contest, and from the information, we will have the advantedge. Ireccomend this book to beginers and experts alike. This one is a must!

Good Book
I recently bought this book, and it is a big help! I would recommend this to an intermediate programmer, although it could be suitable for some beginners. It deals with the basics, strings, variables, data, graphics,and sound. If you're a QBasic programmer, you should probably buy it.

Teach Yourself QBasic in 21 Days ROCKS!
I could not put it down, it is a masterpiece of computer knowledge. I loved it so much, I actually finished in 20 days!!-L. Berzai

How I Became A QBasic Genius
I bought this book a little after it came out, and as I was reasding it I had the urge to program a text based RPG. I made the RPG in under 6 days. I got on the internet and sold the RPG and made a lot of money. It is sointouch. It gets straight to the point. Thanks Namir Clement Shammas. Yougave me mt 15 min. of fame. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent book for a beginner
This is a very good book for the novice starting out in programming. It has a superb tutorial on disk which is very informative and understandable. The code is included with the book and is well organized into chapters.This book is a must have for programmers just starting out in Qbasic.

A total waste of money
This book is a useless beginners guide. It is confusing and extremely poor at describing codes and such. It put me of QBASIC and put most of the people I loaned it to off as well DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK ... Read more

Book Description
Teaches readers all aspects of QBasic and provides afoundation in structured programming, with emphasis onproblem-solving techniques. It covers the fundamentals ofcomputer programming such as input, decision structures, andloop structures. The book is designed for use with the IBM-PCand it compatibles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Vision of the future
Visual Basic is an extraordinary combination of power and ease.Vis-Ba is the choice of all up and coming programmers.It is so well written, even microsoft has made it the official program for it's newest software of thefuture.Dave has done it again ... Read more