Where to start after being out of coding for 20 years!

[PlausiblyDamp]

Right!! So, finally I'm getting somewhere - thank you for your help. These intellisense commands, is there any way to learn those specifically? I have a good idea of syntax, it's coming back to me, but the intellisense commands - basically zero for them.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/vi...e?view=vs-2022 gives a good overview of the intellisense and what the various icons etc. mean.

[wes4dbt]

Hi

I would also like to say: you seem to be bogging down with things that, although important, are stopping you from making progress. Your questions regarding 'lists of commands etc' would become much more understandable if you just start working on a Project of some sort. Once you get used to the intellisense, you will realise it is a useful tool, but not something you need to study in such detail. A little like an English Lit student being bogged down with the enormity of the English Dictionary (unabridged version) and failing exams because they didn't read anything else

Yeah, there are thousands upon thousands of different things that it can list. It all depends on the situation. No one know what everything listed does. Well, maybe jmc. lol

But there is short description shown beside each one and if that isn't enough then you go the the documentation for more information and examples. If you still don't understand then ask here.

[le007]

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/vi...e?view=vs-2022 gives a good overview of the intellisense and what the various icons etc. mean.

Thanks, I'll have a look.

[le007]

Hi

I would also like to say: you seem to be bogging down with things that, although important, are stopping you from making progress. Your questions regarding 'lists of commands etc' would become much more understandable if you just start working on a Project of some sort. Once you get used to the intellisense, you will realise it is a useful tool, but not something you need to study in such detail. A little like an English Lit student being bogged down with the enormity of the English Dictionary (unabridged version) and failing exams because they didn't read anything else

That's a very fair point. Could you point me in the right direction of actual project ideas - I know it sounds odd, but my mind has been completely away from coding for 23 years really and I have no idea what to even start with. (All I've been doing is reading).

[le007]

Yeah, there are thousands upon thousands of different things that it can list. It all depends on the situation. No one know what everything listed does. Well, maybe jmc. lol

But there is short description shown beside each one and if that isn't enough then you go the the documentation for more information and examples. If you still don't understand then ask here.

Thanks v much. Any ideas as for projects, beginner, inter, adv, where to find such project ideas, would be great.

[wes4dbt]

Thanks v much. Any ideas as for projects, beginner, inter, adv, where to find such project ideas, would be great.

Not really. I'd say just what ever your interested in. Database, games, tools ...

There is a Code Bank forum on this site. Something there might catch your interest.

[le007]

Hi
My suggestion. Many of my Projects use DataTables. Note: NOT databases, I have never found a need for a full blown database at all as most of my Projects are hobby/home use.

DataTables with single lines for each of Read/Write data is plenty sufficient for me.

So my suggestion is a Notes Project based on a DataTable, Tab Control, Data Navigator and easy filtering. Useful for all sorts of things, never forget anything ever again

This is EXACTLY what I want to be able to do. I don't want a database, I want to just open, write and save to a textfile - is it possible to do this with a DataTable? This is one of the main reasons I'm trying to re-learn code.

[.paul.]

…I want to just open, write and save to a textfile - is it possible to do this with a DataTable?

It’s possible, but easier to save a DataTable as XML

[le007]

It’s possible, but easier to save a DataTable as XML

I don't really care what the filetype is, is the coding procedure the same? Ideally, I'm looking at text files as they can just be read very simply (not bothered about security as it's just hobby-based projects).

[.paul.]

What type of app. are you planning on writing? Something like notepad? Whether a DataTable is even necessary depends on your app.

[le007]

What type of app. are you planning on writing? Something like notepad? Whether a DataTable is even necessary depends on your app.

Notepad, yes - richtextbox probably, but I'd like an address book, a sort of Apple Dock that opens various programmes/apps such as launching Chrome/NotePad/VB etc.

Ideally, I'd like an address book that had 3/4 textboxes for names, phone numbers, emails and a search box.

Again, I don't overly want to get stuck into databases, just a simple text file that has all the info. Not sure that's doable without a database but that's essentially what I want to do/learn.

[wes4dbt]

You keep saying your want to use a RichTextBox. But why?

You can use TextBoxes to display individual addresses and if you want to display multiple records, then you would use a DataGridView.

[le007]

You keep saying your want to use a RichTextBox. But why?

You can use TextBoxes to display individual addresses and if you want to display multiple records, then you would use a DataGridView.

I used a RTB in VB6 so I was familiar with it. I have no idea what a DataGridView is at this stage. But yes, ideally, a number of text boxes that can input, read and write data to a normal Text file. That's essentially what I'm looking for.

[le007]

Hi
Sounds very straightforward. So are you ready to make a start. If you need help getting started just let us know.
I would also suggest that for further questions on the 'new' project that you start new threads for those. That is the way the forum works, question per topic etc.

Yes, I'm ready to start and thanks for the help. I'll start a new thread should I need it - inevitably I'll need it lol
Can I ask her or a new thread as to the fundamentals of such a program? Individual text boxes, reading, writing and amending to a text file that will have name, phone and email for my contacts.

[wes4dbt]

I used a RTB in VB6 so I was familiar with it. I have no idea what a DataGridView is at this stage. But yes, ideally, a number of text boxes that can input, read and write data to a normal Text file. That's essentially what I'm looking for.

Get started. lol

[le007]

Get started. lol

Back to the drawing board.

[wes4dbt]

Can I ask her or a new thread as to the fundamentals of such a program? Individual text boxes, reading, writing and amending to a text file that will have name, phone and email for my contacts.

It's real easy to find information and examples on how to read a text file and display data. Search this forum or use Google.

First you need to decide how the data will be formatted in the text. I would recommend having the data in each record separated by a coma (cvs file - Coma separated variables). But do it the way you want.

Personally I wouldn't use a flat text file, I'd use a XML like .paul suggested or a simple database. But that's me.

[le007]

It's real easy to find information and examples on how to read a text file and display data. Search this forum or use Google.

First you need to decide how the data will be formatted in the text. I would recommend having the data in each record separated by a coma (cvs file - Coma separated variables). But do it the way you want.

Personally I wouldn't use a flat text file, I'd use a XML like .paul suggested or a simple database. But that's me.

Well, considering I'm back to being a novice - I'm open to all your advanced, experienced suggestions. Perhaps you could advise what you'd do, if you were me, and I can give that a go. Thank you

[wes4dbt]

Well, considering I'm back to being a novice - I'm open to all your advanced, experienced suggestions. Perhaps you could advise what you'd do, if you were me, and I can give that a go. Thank you

I just did. What don't you understand?

[le007]

I just did. What don't you understand?

I didn't realise you did. I was asking should I go a textbox route or a textdata grid and can either be saved as a simple txt file.

[wes4dbt]

If you want to start as simple as possible then I would load the text file into a DataGridView. A simple Google search "visual basic .net display text file in datagridview" will give you lot of example and video tutorials.

But as mentioned, you need to decide on the text file format.

[wes4dbt]

This example creates some datatable records, loads it into a DataGridView. Then you can export and import the data.

https://1bestcsharp.blogspot.com/201...text-file.html

[.paul.]

Here's a simple example with a DataTable and TextBoxes

Simple_DataTable_with_XML_file.zip

[wes4dbt]

Here's a simple example with a DataTable and TextBoxes

Simple_DataTable_with_XML_file.zip

I think the bands you chose might be dating you just a little. lol

[.paul.]

I could’ve used some newer bands, and I could’ve used a newer version of VS, but the older stuff is there for greater user compatibility. I mean, who knows 4 members of kasabian or muse? I don’t, and I like their music

[SamOscarBrown]

Wow! Over 5k views in just a few days. That is the only reason I browsed through this thread. In it, I saw lots of recommendations as well as criticisms (of various development tools). But, OPer, I worked with VB6 at about the time it first came out (never looked at earlier VB versions). Over the years I learned a lot and really enjoyed making lots of small programs, not for profit, but for fun and friends...lotsa games. It, as you allude to, is (was?) a relatively easy tool to learn. Last year, I switched to VB.Net (I hear the groans of some of the posters!), and am pleasantly pleased how easy it is to pick up. No, it's probably not the BEST tool to have switched to, but for me, and my small projects, it seems to be working out just fine. From what you have stated, I think either picking up VB6, or moving on to something else (LIKE VB.NEt) will do just fine for you. You're not out there looking to develop some commercial product, but small ones it sounds like. Text files? Databases? It really makes no difference the path you take...I prefer (for my stuff) MS Access as a database to connect to with VB (both 6 and .Net). Easy to learn...easy to code. DataGridViews basically replace VB's FlexGrids. Some differences? Of course, but still relatively easy to implement.

I'm in agreement with several others. Google, AI (I use ChatGPT and Gemini a lot), as well as MSDN and tutorials available out there (I like https://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/NET/vbNet.html for beginners and https://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/extra...ogramming.html for intermediate examples).

Welcome back to the age of computing...good luck.

Sammi

[le007]

Wow! Over 5k views in just a few days. That is the only reason I browsed through this thread. In it, I saw lots of recommendations as well as criticisms (of various development tools). But, OPer, I worked with VB6 at about the time it first came out (never looked at earlier VB versions). Over the years I learned a lot and really enjoyed making lots of small programs, not for profit, but for fun and friends...lotsa games. It, as you allude to, is (was?) a relatively easy tool to learn. Last year, I switched to VB.Net (I hear the groans of some of the posters!), and am pleasantly pleased how easy it is to pick up. No, it's probably not the BEST tool to have switched to, but for me, and my small projects, it seems to be working out just fine. From what you have stated, I think either picking up VB6, or moving on to something else (LIKE VB.NEt) will do just fine for you. You're not out there looking to develop some commercial product, but small ones it sounds like. Text files? Databases? It really makes no difference the path you take...I prefer (for my stuff) MS Access as a database to connect to with VB (both 6 and .Net). Easy to learn...easy to code. DataGridViews basically replace VB's FlexGrids. Some differences? Of course, but still relatively easy to implement.

I'm in agreement with several others. Google, AI (I use ChatGPT and Gemini a lot), as well as MSDN and tutorials available out there (I like https://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/NET/vbNet.html for beginners and https://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/extra...ogramming.html for intermediate examples).

Welcome back to the age of computing...good luck.

Sammi

Thanks very much, Sammi, for your info. I have been reviewing my old VB6 work over this past weekend and a lot of is beginning to come back now.

I have decided to move onto .Net simply as it runs easier on W10/11 machines. I'm going to run off for a few weeks now, study all the above and take a Udemy course. I'll be back then with what I'm doing.

[le007]

Here's a simple example with a DataTable and TextBoxes

Simple_DataTable_with_XML_file.zip

Thank you very much, Paul. I'm going to try and reverse engineer this. I've been busy over the weekend reading through all my old VB6 work. It's coming back. I'm going to take a udemy course also. I'll revert back here in a few weeks. TYVM.

[le007]

This example creates some datatable records, loads it into a DataGridView. Then you can export and import the data.

https://1bestcsharp.blogspot.com/201...text-file.html

Thank you, I'm going to study all the above and come back here in a few weeks.

[wes4dbt]

Thanks for the warning.

[le007]

Thanks for the warning.

Haha, true! No doubt more questions than answers but I'm determined!

[wes4dbt]

Haha, true! No doubt more questions than answers but I'm determined!

That's good. Good luck

[xiaoyao]

Ask by chatgpt, everyone told me that ai's IQ is a college graduate who has worked for three years.

If you can keep learning from him. In 1000 days, your level must be quite good.
AI is also making progress. In another five years, he may have 10 years of work experience and the technical level of a senior professional.

You can learn rc6.dll, VB. Net class library, many functions can be achieved in one sentence.

For example, I am going to learn how to draw pictures recently? Gdi32.dll, gdiplus. DLL, these Microsoft technologies are too backward, they are 30 years old.
It is very difficult to learn and the effect is not ideal.

It's easier to draw directly on the web page, but it's enough for us to add 10 dollars of memory.
My current phone has 12 GB of ram. 256gb of storage.
But I never run out of memory. Now there are 5 GB of memory left. But I only have 40gb of storage.
The computer I built six years ago costs about $300 for 32 gigabytes of memory. It can be purchased for only $40 at present.

Learn Python, VBA, twinbasic.net core,And cross-platform program can be realized.
I hope that twinbasic's greatest contribution is to develop an idE on Linux that works as well as VB6.

There used to be a software. The function of gamebas is very similar to that of bb6. Maybe it is an open source product. But his technology is still too backward, and he doesn't give us the same secondary development function as VBA. He has no way to compile it into exe independently, and each of his source codes is actually like a Vbs script invented by himself.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I would not go with ChatGPT at this point. I also don't see the point in learning a bunch of random languages. If you aren't using them, then you'll just forget them. Learn what you need.

[yereverluvinuncleber]

The old joke: Man asks a policeman the direction to London. Policeman replies: "I wouldn't start from here sir..."

[SamOscarBrown]

OR, as a Vermonter (USA) would say...Yah can't get theyah from heah.

[Niya]

Any ideas as for projects, beginner, inter, adv, where to find such project ideas, would be great.

Just off the top of my head.

Beginner

• Console Calculator
• Graphical Calculator
• Analog clock
• Prime number generator
• Bubble sort

Intermediate

• File manager
• Simple CRUD application
• Simple animation
• Multiple choice exam

Advance

• 2D Game engine
• Custom controls
• TCP/IP application(Chat based messenger, file downloader)
• Hashtable

[MadLadDesigns]

Guys, please help.
I started programming in QBasic, then moved to VB6 but, for various reasons in life, I haven't coded in 23 years.
I'm only starting again now and trying to learn VB.net
The problem I have, I'm very out of practice. I forget nearly everything.
Can you please tell me what the likes of Environment, OpenFile, Environment, GetFolderPath, CodeRule etc etc etc
What are they actually called? I need to learn ALL of this but I'm not even sure what they're called? References? Syntax? Commands?
Please help. Thanks

Wow! Exactly like me! Last time I coded in VB was in 2002 and now getting back into it. Good luck.