Visual Basic^® Programmer

Your at-home learning program includes 14 Instruction Sets designed to take you step- by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrolment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

In order to complete this program students will be required to have a PC with the following minimum specifications: 1.6GHz or faster processor; Windows Vista (all editions except Starter Edition), or Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later (all editions except Starter Edition), or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1 or later, or Windows Server 2003 R2 or later; 384 MB of Ram or more (768 MB of RAM or more for Windows Vista); 2.2 GB of available hard-disk space; 5400 RPM hard drive; 1024 x 768 or higher-resolution display; DVD-ROM Drive; and Internet access.

Instruction Set 1

Learning Strategies
Identifying and implementing a successful study method; planning when, where, and how you’ll study; creating effective and efficient study tools; using study tools to improve chances for success.

Technology and Society
Impact of technology, social implications of technology; technology careers.

Instruction Set 2

Computers and Problem Solving: An Introduction
Computer hardware; the PC family; the stored program concept; computer software; problem solving and program development.

Practical Exercise: The Basics of BASIC

Supplement: Appendices and Index

Instruction Set 3

QBasic: An Introduction
Creating a QBasic program; the input statement; the print and CLS statements; coding and documenting; getting acquainted with the QB operating environment; editing QBasic programs; executing programs and hard copy output; saving, loading and erasing programs; the QB survival guide online help system; a guide to writing your first program.

Calculations, Strings, and an Introduction to the Top-Down Approach
Constants; variables; the LET statement; expressions; the top-down (modular) approach and the GOSUB and return statements.

Practical Exercise: Calculations

Instruction Set 4

Looping and Input/Output
The DO and LOOP statements; the READ, DATA, and RESTORE statements; the PRINT statement; the print using statement for formatted output.

Structured Programming and Menu-Driven Programs
The IF statement; accumulators; implementing the DO-WHILE and DO-UNTIL structures; logical operators; data validation techniques.

Practical Exercise: Structured Programming

Instruction Set 5

Sequential Files, Paging Reports, and Control-Break Processing
Data files; sequential file processing; paging a report; control-break processing.

FOR Loops, Arrays, Sorting, and Table Processing
The FOR and NEXT statements; arrays versus simple variables; declaring arrays; manipulating arrays; multidimensional arrays; sorting; table processing.

Graded Project

Instruction Set 6

More on Strings and Functions
String functions and statements; numeric functions; user-defined functions; tapping events.

File Maintenance, Random File Processing, and Simulated-Indexed Files
File maintenance; random file processing; simulated-index files.

Graded Project

Instruction Set 7

Computer Graphics and Sound
Text-mode graphics; medium-resolution and high-resolution graphics; sound and music.

Subprograms, Functions, and Chaining
Subprograms; using the QBASIC; functions; chaining.

An Introduction to Visual Basic®
The three-step approach to building applications with Visual Basic®; the Visual Basic® environment; building a currency conversion application; creating the interface for the currency application; setting properties for the currency application; writing code for the currency conversion application; saving a Visual Basic® project; starting, opening, and running projects; exiting Visual Basic.®

Graded Project

Instruction Set 8

Comprehensive Exams

Debugging
Looping structures; report formatting; menu-based programs.

Instruction Set 9

Introduction to Windows®
Hardware and software basics; operating system; explorer; accessories and tools; customizing your computer with the control panel.

Using Windows®
Starting Windows®; working with Windows®; window size; desktop commands.

Managing and Supporting Windows®
Starting programs automatically; creating shortcuts; customizing your computer; maintaining your computer; making the most of Windows® folders.

Instruction Set 10

The Basics of Visual Basic®
Evolution of programming languages; characteristics and techniques of object-oriented programming; create a simple Visual Basic® program.

Graded Project

Instruction Set 11

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
Review Visual Studio IDE, the Help system, and the Object Browser; discuss how to work with solutions and projects; create several button instances and methods populate a list box.

Graded Project

Instruction Set 12

Data Types and Structure of an Application
Discover more efficient ways to design a program; declare different types of variables; using char data types and character encodings.

Graded Project

Instruction Set 13

Arrays, Sequential Files, and Structures
Create and manipulate an array; use a loop to search through an array; learn the difference between binary and linear search; read and write a sequential file; discover the function of a structure.

Graded Project

Instruction Set 14

Databases and Mouse Events
Connect to a database using the Visual Studio Wizard; retrieve and edit information from a database; identify the graphics device interface (GDI) create colors, shapes, and images; learn about the classes used to create menus and toolbars.

Graded Project

Final Graded Project

Online Library and Librarian
Students in ICS Canada have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with ICS Canada.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

You will need a mathematical competency that exceeds a Grade 8 level in order to fully comprehend the formulas presented in this program.

Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and Visual Basic are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

IBM is a trademark of IBM Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Pentium is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.