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Rating: 
Summary: Lets one appreciate ease of programming today
Review: 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 and tried, but I could not grasp Visual Basic. I came accross this book, which introduced QBasic to me. It did it clearly, which is an acomplishment is itself. Best of all, it let me learn VB and QBasic, which I still use to this day. On to this volume. Since QB hasn't changed since '91, the QB section has grown in detail. Many advanced elements are introduced, like machine language and controlling memmory. Also, the so called "DOS API" is demystifided. The VB code is not quite as great. Much of the time consuming QB code like PRINT and INPUT is now gone in VB, replaced by 2 mouse actions. The bulk of this section is re-explaining QB information, which becomes redudant. The Windows API is briefly introduced, but not expanded upon. If you need detailed, advanced VB information, look elsewhere. The bridge is made and is effective, but certain necessary skills are not made in the VB section. The book comes with VB on CD, but be warned. It is a fully functional copy of VB, minus the ability to make EXEs. The reason Microsoft made this available was to further there new Active-X controls Internet market. Besides that, VB5CCE (what is included on this disk) can be downloaded as a 9.5MB file from [Microsoft]. having it on a CD is a nice convience though. Despite redundancy and some oversimplification, this is a extremely valuable learning resource.
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Summary: QBASIC book - my overveiw.
Review: 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.
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Summary: Excellent for understanding the connection between Q&VBasic.
Review: 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 quite different, at least initially. This book dissolves the confusion. QBasic remains important, because it is an excellent tool for learning the fundamentals of programming. But obviously VBasic is the more useful state-of-the-art tool. Thus, connecting the two is a very effective way to learn the "basics" and the subsequent development of programming techniques. The book is clear and concise, uses nice examples and exercises, and is well-organized and thought out. I would recommend it very highly as an introductory programming text. Dr. William A. Bradnan
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