Midlands State University
Faculty of Science
Department of Computer Science and Information Systems
HCSc 207 : Advanced Programming (Visual Basic)
Lecturer : Mr. T Samukute (Office No. 1)
Course Outline
Objectives
By the end of the module, students should possess ability to
Ø Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of some advanced programming techniques (advanced approaches to programming).
Ø Exhibit sound knowledge on good programming practices.
Ø Prove advanced programming competence using the Visual Basic Development Package and other advanced tools such as SQL, Crystal Reports, and Database technologies such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL Server.
Topic 1: Introduction to advanced programming (The Basics)
Topic 2: Advanced programming techniques
Ø Top down technique
Ø Pseudo code and algorithm design
Ø Sequence, iteration, recursion
Ø Functions
Ø Modules
Ø Object oriented approach
Topic 3: Good programming practice
Topic 4: Visual Basic (An introduction)
Ø The VB Development package and the VB language
Ø The VB IDE and its components
Ø Creating a VB application
Topic 5: Visual Basic and Objects (Controls)
Ø Objects defined
Ø Object oriented programming and Visual Basic
Ø VB Objects
Ø Intrinsic and non-intrinsic controls
Topic 6: Visual Basic, the language (Getting into code)
Ø Keywords and statements
Ø Variables and variable scope
Ø Arrays and collections
Ø Control structures
Ø Functions and Sub-routines
Ø Special predefined functions (msgbox, inputbox, rgb, trim, etc)
Topic 7: Special Visual Basic Objects/Controls
Ø Menu objects
Ø Intrinsic controls (Command button, Label, Textbox, Timer, Image, etc)
Ø non- intrinsic controls (Tool bar, rich text box, Progress bar, Common Dialog, list view, etc)
Topic 8: Visual Basic and Graphics /Multimedia/Animation/Communications
Ø Picture Graphics
Ø Motion Graphics
Ø Multimedia
Ø Communications
Topic 9: Visual Basic and Database programming
Ø Database driven applications
Ø Database concepts
Ø SQL and database programming
Ø Evolution from DAO to ADO
Ø Using the ADO control
Topic 10: Visual Basic and File Handling
Ø File, Dir and Drive list controls
Ø Reading from files
Ø Writing to files
Topic 11: Visual Basic and Reporting
Ø VB Data Environment reports
Ø VB and Crystal Reports
Topic 12: Visual Basic and Error Handling
Topic 13: Finishing touches
References
Visual Basic Black book, MCSD Training guide VB6 (Soft copies)
Programming in VB6 (J C Bradley & A C Millspaugh), Mastering VB6 (E Petroutsos)
Assessment
Shall be in the form of
Ø 2 Tests contributing 50 % of coursework : Before and after semester break
Ø 2 Assignments ( 1 practical, 1 theoretical ) contributing 50 % of coursework : Before and after semester break
Ø FINAL EXAMINATION contributing 70% of the overall total