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Programming and Problem Solving with Visual Basic.NET

Author(s): Nell Dale, PhD, University of Texas, Austin
Michael McMillan
Chip Weems, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Mark R. Headington, University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Details:
  • ISBN-13: 9780763717636
  • ISBN-10:0763717630
  • Paperback    685 pages      © 2003
Price: International Sales $186.95 US List
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Overview

Visual Basic is arguably the most popular computer programming language for application development in the United States and around the world today. Visual Basic is also an excellent language to teach as a "first" computer language because of its easy-to-learn syntax and flexibility. This book treats Visual Basic as a serious programming language and not as just another Windows application. One concern that is frequently voiced when discussing the differences between Visual Basic and C++ is the level of object-oriented programming supported by Visual Basic. With the release of VB. NET, the language will support all the major features of object-oriented programming–encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

Programming and Problem Solving with VB.NET teaches the reader how to program in Visual Basic from an object-oriented viewpoint, which is important because of the object-oriented flavor of VB.NET. The emphasis of this book is not on the fancy users interface tricks you can perform with VB.NET, but on the fundamentals of writing correct and efficient VB programs. The book provides a number of example programs that illustrate the concepts developed in the text, and the exercises at the end of each chapter helps to reinforce the expository material from the chapter.

ShowKey Features

Provides an extensive discussion of how to use the Visual Basic Graphical User Interface (GUI) throughout the text, helping students with the primary means of doing input/output in Visual Basic.
Object-oriented programming is emphasized very early on in the text, allowing the text to introduce students to object-oriented design methodology and not just the basics of writing object-oriented programs.
The most important feature of this book is its emphasis on developing fundamental computer programming skills, rather than the overwhelming number of features found in Visual Basic.NET.

The primary programming constructs most introductory texts cover are included within this text. These features include:

  • Syntax and Semantics
  • Numeric Programming
  • Selection Control Structures
  • Repetition Control Structures
  • Arrays
  • Fundamentals of Graphical User Interface Design

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ShowTable of Contents

Chapter 1 - Overview of Programming and Problem Solving

1.1  Overview of Programming
1.2  How is a Program Converted into a Form That a Computer Can Use?
1.3  How is Interpreting a Program Different From Executing It?
1.4  How is Compilation Related to Interpretation and Execution?
1.5  What Kinds of Instructions Can be Written in a Programming Language?
1.6  What is a Computer?
1.7  Ethics and Responsibilities in the Computing Profession
1.8  Problem-Solving Techniques
Problem-Solving Case Study: A Company Payroll Program
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Wrap-Up Exercises
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 2 - Java Syntax and Semantics, and the Program Entry Process

2.1 Syntax and Semantics
2.2 Data Types
2.3 Classes and Objects
2.4 Defining Terms: Declarations
2.5 Taking Action: Executable Statements
2.6 Program Entry, Correction, and Execution
Problem-Solving Case Study: Display a Date in Multiple Formats
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

 Chapter 3 - Event-Driven Output

3.1 Classes and Methods
3.2 Formatting Output
3.3 Handling Events
3.4 Adding Code to Events
Problem-Solving Case Study: Display a Date in Multiple Formats
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 4 - Numeric Types and Expressions

4.1 Overview of Visual Basic Data Types
4.2 Numeric Data Types
4.3  Declarations for Numeric Types
4.4  Simple Arithmetic Expressions
4.5  Compound Arithmetic Expressions
4.6  Additional Mathematical Functions
4.7  Additional String Operations
4.8  Formatting Numeric Types
Software Engineering Tip: Understanding Before Changing
Problem-Solving Case Study: Map Measurements
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 5 - Event-Driven Input and Software Design Strategies

5.1  Getting Data into Programs
5.2  Entering Data Using Textboxes in a Form
5.3  Adding a Data Entry Textbox to a Form
5.4  Extracting a Value From a Textbox
5.5  Adding a Command Button
5.6  Handling a Command Button Event
5.7  Interactive Input/Output
5.8  Converting String Values to Numeric Values
5.9  Noninteractive Input/Output
5.10 Software Design Strategies
5.11 What are Objects and Classes?
5.12 Object-Oriented Design
5.13 Functional Decomposition
Software Engineering Tip: Documentation
Problem-Solving Case Study: Averaging Rainfall Amounts
Background Information: Programming at Many Scales
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 6 - Conditions, Logical Expressions, and Selection Control Structures

6.1  Flow of Control
6.2  Conditions and Logical Expressions
6.3  The If& Then Statement
6.4 Nested If& Then& ElseIf Statements
6.5 Forms with Multiple Buttons
Problem-Solving Case Study: A Simple Calculator
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 7 - Classes and Methods

7.1 Encapsulation
7.2  Class Interface Design
7.3  Internal Data Representation
7.4  Class Syntax
7.5  Declaring Methods
Problem-Solving Case Study: Implementing the Name Class
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 8 - Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Scope

8.1 Inheritance
8.2 Inheritance and the Object-Oriented Design Process
8.3  How to Read a Class Hierarchy
8.4  Derived Class Syntax
8.5  Scope of Access
8.6  Implementing a Derived Class
Problem-Solving Case Study: Extending TextField for Numeric Input and Output
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 9 - File I/O and Looping

9.1  File Input and Output
9.2  Looping
Problem-Solving Case Study: Average Income by Gender
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 10 - Additional Control Structures and Exceptions

10.1 Additional Control Structures
10.2 Exception-Handling Mechanism
10.3 Additional Visual Basic Operators
Problem-Solving Case Study: Monthly Rainfall Averages
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 11 - One-Dimensional Arrays

11.1 Atomic Data Types
11.2 Composite Data Types
11.3 One-Dimensional Arrays
11.4 Examples of Declaring and Processing Arrays
11.5 Arrays of Objects
11.6 Arrays and Methods
11.7 Special Kinds of Array Processing
Problem-Solving Case Study: Comparison of Two Lists
Problem-Solving Case Study: Grading True/False Tests
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 12 - Array-Based Lists

12.1 Lists
12.2 List Class
12.3 Sorting the List Items
12.4 Automatic List Sorting with the Listbox Control
12.5 Sorted List
12.6 The List Class Hierarchy and Abstract Classes
12.7 Searching
12.8 Generic Lists
Problem-Solving Case Study: Exam Attendance
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 13 - Multidimensional Arrays and Numeric Computation

13.1 Two-Dimensional Arrays
13.2 Processing Two-Dimensional Arrays
13.3 Multi-dimensional Arrays
13.4 Building a Vector Class
Software Engineering Tip: Choosing a Numeric Data Type
Problem-Solving Case Study: Matrix Manipulation
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises

Chapter 14 - Recursion

14.1 What is Recursion?
14.2 More Examples with Simple Variables
14.3 Recursive Algorithms with Structured Variables
14.4 Recursion or Iteration?
Testing and Debugging
Summary of Classes
Summary
Quick Check
Exam Preparation Exercises
Programming Warm-Up Exercises
Programming Problems
Case Study Follow-Up Exercises


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ShowAbout the Author(s)

Nell Dale, PhD-University of Texas, Austin


Nell Dale received a B.S. in Mathematics and Psychology from the University of Houston, a M.A. in Mathematics, from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Computer Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin. Nell Dale has been on the faculty at the University of Texas, Austin since 1975. She teaches occasionally but concentrates on computer science education, writing, traveling, tennis, and bridge -- and her family of course.

Additional Titles by this Author

Michael McMillan

Michael McMillan
An instructor of Computer Information Systems at Pulaksi Technical College, where he is the lead instructor of the Programming/Analyst option.  Mike teaches courses in Visual Basic, C++, Perl, and Java. In addition to teaching and writing, Mike also does research in Computer Science Education, where his interests are in developing interactive programming development and debugging systems.

Additional Titles by this Author

Chip Weems-University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Chip Weems is an Associate Professor of computer science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Oregon State University in 1977 and 1979, respectively. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts in 1984. Over the last 23 years, he has taught courses in introductory programming, software engineering, computer architecture, and parallel processing. Since 1986 he has co-authored 13 textbooks that have helped over a million students learn to program computers. His books have been translated into French, Spanish, and Russian. He conducts research in computer architecture, compilers, parallel processing, and compiler-architecture co-optimization.

Additional Titles by this Author

Mark R. Headington-University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse, Wisconsin

Mark Headington, University of Wisconsin- La Crosse
Headington received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Iowa State University. He is currently an Associate Professor of Computer Science, specializing in Operating Systems, C++, and Computer Architecture.

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ShowReviews

  • “It is an outstanding book with excellent teaching resources."

    -  Jerry Bilbrey
    Francis Marion University

    "The text's completeness is astonishing. As a hard-science CS text, this is a great strength. As an introductory course text, the amount of material and level of detail is likely to be overwhelming  to some students, but essential for them to become competent programmers."

    Reviewer #5
    Jones and Bartlett Editorial Survey

    “I’m extremely impressed with the debugging methodology and approach developed in the Step-by-step section … We would definitely dwell on this and similar topics.”  

    -  Thomas Gambill
    University of Illinois

    “I’m extremely impressed with the quantity and quality of end-of-chapter material.  The very thing that students need when learning a new language is practice, practice, practice.  All these devices and materials immensely help contribute to that.”    

    - Jim Forkner
    Penn Sate

    “The background material is very helpful.  The order of the subjects seems well planned.”  

    -  Don Kussee

    “The chapters dealing with fundamentals of programming are very good; the use of many examples and supporting materials is excellent, [the book] cover[s] the topics most important or useful, facilitating the learning process.”  

    - James Prater
    University of Alabama

    “I’m extremely appreciative of the opportunity to review this excellent text… I give this text my highest praise … for its completeness, its thoroughness, its historical sidebars, and its many excellent end-of-chapter problems and exercises.  I absolutely recommend publication of this fine work!”  

    - Jim Forkner
    Penn Sate

    "This is an exciting book. I plan to use this book for my Internet-based course."

    Brian Crawford
    North Harris College

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ShowAppropriate Courses

Programming and Problem Solving with VB.net  is intended for undergraduate use, either at the freshman or sophomore level.

  • Visual Basic.net Programming
  • Introduction to Programming with VB.net
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ShowResources

    • show overview$85.95 Add to Cart

      Visual Basic .NET: A Laboratory Course

      ISBN-13: 9780763718237 ISBN-10: 0763718238
      This laboratory manual has been designed to correlate with Programming and Problem Solving with Visual Basic. NET by Nell Dale and Michael McMillan. The labs assist students in the over all understanding of key concepts will providing them hands-on interactive activities.
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