Well, I took the plunge. With no programming experience, I did some research, asked some questions here, and decided (good or bad) to start with VB .Net 2003. I purchased Vb .Net 2003 Deluxe ("Step by Step" book and the software) and I dove right in.

I'm up to Chapter 10. I am/was so psyched about doing this. All of the excercises seemed to make sense, I felt I was "getting" it, and the possibilities seemed endless.

So the intro to the next section says "by now, with the skills I've covered, you can be considered an intermediate VB programmer". So, I decided I was going to do my own small project------and I'M STUMPED!

Yes, I know the components, I can create a new form, install all the Buttons, PictureBoxes, TextBoxes, etc. I can get into the code editor---and I hit a brick wall. Yes, I can go and mimick the code that was introduced in the book. But I don't even know what to write . The bigger problem is, I don't know what I want it to do. I know I'm not being clear on this, but I guess what I'm asking is, is it truly a trial and error thing? Should I think of some small executable programm, and try to make it work?

Since I don't know even a fraction of the syntax, is there some reference that will stear me in the direction I need to go?


I'm not asking for a magic pill, just some insght on what you folks went thru when you started. Any info, suggestions, or stories would be a big help. In the meantime, it's back to the book.

Thanks,
Don