Looking for some help on how to get started?!

[Toolman]

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

[jemidiah]

I remember when I started, I took a few tutorials by Karl Moore (in VB6, though. Not sure if he's done any in .NET).

A program must have a purpose. Half of your confusion may be because you have nothing to write. I would suggest a very simple project first (although I can't really think of anything quite yet). Also, you may try going through the .NET forums here and seeing if you understand the code (at least knowing what the lines should do). If not, you might try a different author or tutorials here. The .NET'ers might be able to point you in a better direction there. Good luck in future programming

[Shaggy Hiker]

I think O'Reilly puts out some decent books that could be considered just references (In a Nutshell series) for .NET. I think I have one around here somewhere. If you want something on hand for some syntax issue, or looking up a command, that might be something worth looking into.

However, Jemidiah is right. You must have a project.

What do you want the program to accomplish, and how should it accomplish it. Consider something like a simple calculator. You would want keys (buttons), and some place to show either the result, or, if you are more ambitious, the equation being typed in.

What buttons would you want? Numbers, of course, but some function keys (however many you want).

How should it look?

What should happen when a particular button is pressed?

Decide first that the program should do this set of things. Decide second how the user would normally use the program (Microsoft actually tests usability, but they still take a few tries to get an interface right). The proceed.

I often lay out the design on paper before starting out. You get a lot more ideas that way, which can lead to adding loads of obscure features, taking excessive time, etc. But what the heck.

[VB4fun]

Congrats!
Sounds like you started close to the same as I did. Got a copy of Visual Studio, cause I didnt know anything about programming and I like a good challenge.

Read a book about VB and decided to start there.

Then stared at the screen for awhile...
and thought real HARD....

After taking a break, and a cup of coffee...I started looking around for all the things that were causing me way too much repetative paperwork. And tried to come up with something to lighten the load.

Dont overlook the simple, especially to get started.

My first app is now in its 4th version and how the functionality has grown (THANKS to everyone on this site!)

It is being distributed to 100's of customers, with very few bugs being reported......(it is worth the extra time to do it right!)

jemidiah is right.... Karl Moore has some great tutorials!
only wish I would have found them sooner.

Shaggy Hiker is correct, plan it out on paper before you get going...and it will help you along the way.

But, most of all.....as far as I am concerned.... HAVE FUN with it !

[hellswraith]

Think of a small program to make. I think a lot of people have created 'Notepad' applications as their first applications. I think this is a good start. You get to learn menus, events, working with strings and text, and even get to use file IO (input/output).

So my suggestion to you would be to try to make a notepad application. Just implement one feature at a time. Like start with creating the whole user interface, then just implement one item from the menus at a time. Start with the basics, opening up a text file and displaying it, then saving it.

Good luck.

[Toolman]

Thanks to all that have responded. It looks like I just have to cast the doubts aside and dig in. The worst that can happen is it doesn't work! Thanks for your support--its reassuring to know that each of youwere at this point at one time or another.

Well, here goes................

Thanks

Don

[hellswraith]

Cool, and we are here to help when you get stuck.

[VBCrazyCoder]

Yes, we were all staring at that same brick wall at some point - for me it took the pressure of getting a .NET project thrown at me at work (new job with no .NET experience and only a little JAVA). So I bought Professional VB.NET by Wrox and used it as a reference.

You will get through it, as we all did. Now I don't even look at that book (although the binding is broken from lots of use early on :-) ).

We are all here to help, so feel free to post.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Casting away doubts? Watch it there, this is VB, not C++!

[nswan]

don't worry about not knowing the syntax and things like that. Keep referring to the book for what you need to do, and then one day you'll realise that you've typed a load of code without needing a reference for any of it!!!!!

For an example project i would suggest something simple like an address book to store your mates details. Use an Access database to store the data. and VB.net to read/edit it.

Good luck

Nick