I first became acquainted with the Waite Group while inside a U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane. I was a member of a "first in/last out" combat communications team. After the plane hit an air pocket, dropping a quick 4,000 feet and leaving my stomach on the ceiling, I decided there had to be an easier way to make a living. I had just picked up a recommended Waite Group programming book. As the C-130 continued to bounce its way to our destination, I popped open my "portable" Kaypro computer and went at it. It was during those 12 long hours (and two bouncing air refuelings) that I learned how to program assembly language under the modern CP/M operating system. Fortunately, I lived through all of it, including assembly language. Since that fun flight, I have relied on Waite Group publications to keep my programming knowledge up to date.
The Waite Group has been producing some of the finest computer books on the market for over 10 years. Waite Group Press books have consistently been packed with tons of useful information while being some of the most readable and approachable programming books available. With this all-new Visual Basic 4 How-To, Mitch Waite and crew have done it again. Far from just giving a different slant on the basic user manuals, this book retains the successful question-and-answer format to provide in-depth information on a wide range of topics. The authors have taken the time to think as developers do and provide the information developers will surely be asking for. The book has something for everyone. There are little things, like correctly
determining a drive type, that will have you smiling at the "fit-n-finish" within your VB application. Then there are big items such as the MsgHook custom control, which will allow you to intercept Windows system messages that are sent to any control. This control can add an incredible amount of flexibility to your applications as well as giving you another powerful tool for those late-night debug sessions.
Visual Basic version 4 is an exciting release for all of us at Microsoft. From making it possible to build your own class modules to giving complete access to the Jet 3.0 database engine, Visual Basic 4 gives the experienced programmer more power to create compelling and robust applications. Yet a new programmer will find Visual Basic even easier to use then before. It is designed to make Windows programming accessible to an even wider audience of programmers.
The book you hold in your hands represents the best way to dive in, have some fun, and become an excellent Visual Basic programmer. We are proud of the work the Waite Group has done in the area of Visual Basic programming. I can think of no better investment for programmers of all experience levels then a Waite Group Press publication. Thank you for purchasing Microsoft's Visual Basic, and good luck with your programming adventures. You are in great hands with Waite Group Press. If you're ever in a C-130, fasten your seat belt and ask for a window seat!
Best of luck,
Rick Segal
Director, Strategic Relations
Microsoft Corporation
Main ·
Authors ·
Foreward ·
Contents ·
Introduction · Index ·
ReadMe ·
Errata
