Murach's Visual Basic 6

I also agree with the review that states if you are a total beginner with no experience at all, it probably isn't the book for you. I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to understand the world of VB.


Not for the raw beginner- updated   December 18, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

In 1983 I learned BASIC programming for the VAX. It was my best subject in college. I figured it would be easy to learn Visual Basic 6. It probably is but this book teaches more about the Microsoft Programming Environment than it does about writing computer programs.
The easiest way for me to learn is by studying examples. It uses the same example through several chapters.
Information in this book is often presented in non-linear form. Step F is sometimes presented between Steps A and C. I find this annoying.
I "ground" through this book page by page for Six chapters. I feel I learned the material but it wasn't easy. When it got to database programming I lost interest although I would like to learn it.
In all fairness to Murach I should metion I haven't used a computer in almost twenty years. I was learing Windows 98 in conjunction with VB6.
I plan to try another beginner book and return to Murach's to finish it.
UPDATE: After taking a few VB6 and SQL classes, I have a new appreciation for this book. I frequently return to Murach's VB6 to quickly see how something is done. It's a great reference. I still don't think it's for someone with no programming experience but I'm upping my rating from two to four stars.


Great Book for Beginners & Intermediate Level VB programmer   October 21, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is the only VB book I found that provided a "complete" database solution for ADO. I bought several in my search. It steps you through both a bound and unbound solution (program). Each chapter of this book challenges you with a practical program to develop that reinforces the topics discussed. I did have to change the name of a file to match the actual database that I downloaded. Not a big deal! The 1st four chapters present the basics for a new VB programmer, including an excellent tour through MS Visual Studio for VB. Beginning in chapter 5, you work with databases, ActiveX, SQL, Classes, DHTML, and IIS. You get 15 chapters that pretty much cover the gammit, bringing you up to a VB intermediate level. It gives you a good flavor of what VB can do. There is a lot more to VB, though. You just have to continue to read more about VB or seak out more coding examples. I had a question about one of the programming examples, and received an answer right away. Murach is committed to providing solid computer books and welcomes your suggestions towards improving their products. You won't be disappointed with this book. It will encourage you to learn more about VB. This would be an excellent text for a VB course.