Visual Basic 5 Interactive Course

Rating:
Summary: Worst organized and most typo-filled text ever seen.
Review: As I'm new to programming, I thought there was something I wasn't getting when I somehow slogged through the first three chapters, doing the lessons according to the book, and not getting my code to execute properly. As many people have pointed out in previous reviews, I thank God that I am NOT ALONE!

This was the first book I ever bought about introductory programming in Visual Basic. Unfortunately, it was not the last.

The concept is admirable; however, as someone new to programming, I found that the book was hard to follow with all the errors in the text and in the coding, as well as the references to directories which weren't there.

This book could have been great, but it's only so-so. The web site is useful, but not everyone has access to the www, and therefore may not be aware of the revisions/corrections to the text.

I don't think I'd recommend this book as an intro to programming. Que's Visual Basic 5 Night School by Greg Perry was much more helpful and easier to follow.

A good attempt, but not good enough, unfortunately.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent VB5 Book.
Review: Good ideas, good examples, but so filled with mistakes it's almost comical. If you don't take the publisher's sloppiness too seriously, the book works. Even the errata sheet is pathetic. A real underachiever. Perhaps the "Homer Simpson" of programming books.

Rating:
Summary: Want to learn VB?? A Great Book - Buy it!!
Review: I found this book very well set out. Every time I have wanted to do something I have found it. A lot books have examples of things that you will not want to do. This book is filled with good practical examples. Don't listen to the wingers - yes there are typos in some code but the clear explanations and practical style more than make up for them and an Errata sheet is available from the waite website

Rating:
Summary: Good Concept but overshawdowed by WAY too many errors
Review: I used this book to get started with VB after not having been involved in programming since the bad old Fortran days and punch cards in college. I would recommend this book for anyone getting started, as it is a good reference, provides a structured curriculum and has a good companion CD. I also found the Learning Zone web site to be valuable for keeping me going.

That said, I am also in violent agreement with others who have commented on the plethora of errors in the code examples, left over VB4 terminology, wrong quiz answers and disconects here and there. I have gone through several other introductory VB books including Peter Wrights and VB for Dummies. I still found VB 5 Interactive to be a much better learning experience and reference guide. I find that I can quickly find and get up to speed on a subject after a review of the subject at hand. I hope a serious effort was made to clean things up for those who are starting with the VB6 version.

Rating:
Summary: Great book to startup with VB5
Review: I've been programming in other languages for years, but am new to VB5. I found this book to be a great kickoff point for this new an powerful language.There are typo's. I have read many computer language books, and there are typo's in every one. At least this book has a web page with an errata document to notify the reader of problems that have been found.Along with the web based testing, mentor services, and interactive access to other students - all free of charge, the book is much more than just reading material.It is just what the title says it is, an interactive and informative course, full of good reference information and support

Rating:
Summary: TOO MANY ERRORS + LEAPS IN LOGIC + SPAGHETTI CODE (argh! )
Review: This book contains way too many errors! Examples contain variable names that differ from the explanatory text! VERY FRUSTRATING! Some of the example programs build upon each other from lesson to lesson. This would normally be great except for the fact that a lot of the code becomes redundant and SPAGHETTI-ISH (which causes many runtime errors). Although you could learn a lot from this book, it is generally too frustrating to use it. Even the Waite Group's web site is extremely poor. Honestly, buy a book from a different publisher...you'll just be sorry if you buy VISUAL BASIC 5 INTERACTIVE COURSE!

Rating:
Summary: TOO MANY ERRORS + LEAPS IN LOGIC + SPAGHETTI CODE (argh! )
Review: This book contains way too many errors! Examples contain variable names that differ from the explanatory text! VERY FRUSTRATING! Some of the example programs build upon each other from lesson to lesson. This would normally be great except for the fact that a lot of the code becomes redundant and SPAGHETTI-ISH (which causes many runtime errors). Although you could learn a lot from this book, it is generally too frustrating to use it. Even the Waite Group's web site is extremely poor. Honestly, buy a book from a different publisher...you'll just be sorry if you buy VISUAL BASIC 5 INTERACTIVE COURSE!

Rating:
Summary: Great Vb5 Book - Great Examples
Review: Well, despite the very minimal errors in this book -(Yes, the angry people reviews are just over-reacting)- It is the, by far, best book for VB I have ever read! Anything I need to find in VB, I just look it up, and voila I find it. It's so easy and the examples are easy to read and to unerstand. GREAT BOOK! A Definate 11 on my chart!