Home > Archive > Visual Basic > February 2005 > Where to go... Programmer is lost!
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
Where to go... Programmer is lost!
|
|
| Noozer 2005-02-27, 3:55 pm |
| Hey all!
I've been programming for years... dBase III, Clipper, 6809 assembler,
Qbasic, VB 6, VB DotNet... Not really an expert at any of them, but
definately have the logic down as a programmer.
My biggest hurdle is trying to learn the IDE and idiosyncrasies of each
language. For example:
- I use the IDE as simply a text editor that uses colour to indicate
context. I have no idea what most of the IDE is actually used for.
- In DotNet a colour is an object. Very hard to write and retrieve a colour
from a text file.
- Just trying to make sense of the MSDN documentation to find API calls and
obscure object properties and events is a major task in itself.
I've taken several courses and they usually amount to building a "Hello
world!" program with some simple sequential file I/O... Nothing that would
be used in real life.
I really want to get deep into VB, Java and programming for Windows and the
web but I can't find anything but the most basic of courses.
What can a programmer do???
Thx!
| |
| drhowarddrfinedrhoward 2005-02-27, 3:55 pm |
| Although VB is very popular, I would rather you stay with C/C++ but you may
not want to get that deep into the code. ;)
Go to msdn.microsoft.com Click on the tab at the top for library. Find
"Windows Development" and "User Interface" (or some such) as well as Win32
anything. Especially any folders named "Reference". The APIs are in there.
You will find everything you need to know.
Reading the docs can be somewhat bewildering at first because just about
every line has a hyperlink to something else. You'd be tempted to click on
each one of them thinking you need to but, in reality, you should just pass
them up because they will send you off in a million different directions.
You will quickly run into those same pages anyway and it is a natural
progression of things.
| |
|
| Once you've gotten the "Hello World" down pat, Pick up a copy of Microsofts
VB6 Reference Library. That'll hold you for awhile. There are some authors
here that can recommend IDE books. I use this list myself but I've been
playing with the IDE for years.
BT3
"Noozer" <dont.spam@me.here> wrote in message
news:%234$p2iPHFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hey all!
>
> I've been programming for years... dBase III, Clipper, 6809 assembler,
> Qbasic, VB 6, VB DotNet... Not really an expert at any of them, but
> definately have the logic down as a programmer.
>
> My biggest hurdle is trying to learn the IDE and idiosyncrasies of each
> language. For example:
>
> - I use the IDE as simply a text editor that uses colour to indicate
> context. I have no idea what most of the IDE is actually used for.
> - In DotNet a colour is an object. Very hard to write and retrieve a
colour
> from a text file.
> - Just trying to make sense of the MSDN documentation to find API calls
and
> obscure object properties and events is a major task in itself.
>
> I've taken several courses and they usually amount to building a "Hello
> world!" program with some simple sequential file I/O... Nothing that would
> be used in real life.
>
> I really want to get deep into VB, Java and programming for Windows and
the
> web but I can't find anything but the most basic of courses.
>
> What can a programmer do???
>
> Thx!
>
>
| |
| Steven Burn 2005-02-27, 3:55 pm |
| The best way's I've found thus far are;
1. Trial and error
2. Visiting newsgroups, forums
3. Using site's such as aspfaq.com, vbnet.mvps.org etc etc and the likes =
when in need of help/tips
And last but by no means least, books, the MSDN documentation and the =
likes.
--=20
Regards
Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk
Keeping it FREE!
"Noozer" <dont.spam@me.here> wrote in message =
news:#4$p2iPHFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hey all!
>=20
> I've been programming for years... dBase III, Clipper, 6809 assembler,
> Qbasic, VB 6, VB DotNet... Not really an expert at any of them, but
> definately have the logic down as a programmer.
>=20
> My biggest hurdle is trying to learn the IDE and idiosyncrasies of =
each
> language. For example:
>=20
> - I use the IDE as simply a text editor that uses colour to indicate
> context. I have no idea what most of the IDE is actually used for.
> - In DotNet a colour is an object. Very hard to write and retrieve a =
colour
> from a text file.
> - Just trying to make sense of the MSDN documentation to find API =
calls and
> obscure object properties and events is a major task in itself.
>=20
> I've taken several courses and they usually amount to building a =
"Hello
> world!" program with some simple sequential file I/O... Nothing that =
would
> be used in real life.
>=20
> I really want to get deep into VB, Java and programming for Windows =
and the
> web but I can't find anything but the most basic of courses.
>=20
> What can a programmer do???
>=20
> Thx!
>=20
>=20
| |
| Steve Easton 2005-02-28, 3:55 pm |
| Download and install the MSDN library and then turn on "Dynamic Help" in visual studio.
--
Steve Easton
Microsoft MVP FrontPage
95isalive
This site is best viewed............
........................with a computer
"Noozer" <dont.spam@me.here> wrote in message news:%234$p2iPHFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hey all!
>
> I've been programming for years... dBase III, Clipper, 6809 assembler,
> Qbasic, VB 6, VB DotNet... Not really an expert at any of them, but
> definately have the logic down as a programmer.
>
> My biggest hurdle is trying to learn the IDE and idiosyncrasies of each
> language. For example:
>
> - I use the IDE as simply a text editor that uses colour to indicate
> context. I have no idea what most of the IDE is actually used for.
> - In DotNet a colour is an object. Very hard to write and retrieve a colour
> from a text file.
> - Just trying to make sense of the MSDN documentation to find API calls and
> obscure object properties and events is a major task in itself.
>
> I've taken several courses and they usually amount to building a "Hello
> world!" program with some simple sequential file I/O... Nothing that would
> be used in real life.
>
> I really want to get deep into VB, Java and programming for Windows and the
> web but I can't find anything but the most basic of courses.
>
> What can a programmer do???
>
> Thx!
>
>
| |
| Kevin Spencer 2005-02-28, 3:55 pm |
| > I really want to get deep into VB, Java and programming for Windows and
> the
> web but I can't find anything but the most basic of courses.
> What can a programmer do???
A programmer can solve the problem. Syntax and logic do not a programmer
make. Problem-solving does. So, let's take a look at your requirements, and
see if we can't come up with a solution.
When I wanted to study programming, I was poor, and didn't have a computer.
So, I used a computer in my work place after hours. I couldn't afford a
compiler, so I found a command-line shareware compiler on a local BBS. I
couldn't afford any classes, so I taught myself. I found some cheap books on
programming (C in particular at the time) and started creating projects for
myself, starting very small, and working my way up to larger projects.
Within 2 years I had my own consulting business.
--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
Neither a follower nor a lender be.
"Noozer" <dont.spam@me.here> wrote in message
news:%234$p2iPHFHA.3076@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hey all!
>
> I've been programming for years... dBase III, Clipper, 6809 assembler,
> Qbasic, VB 6, VB DotNet... Not really an expert at any of them, but
> definately have the logic down as a programmer.
>
> My biggest hurdle is trying to learn the IDE and idiosyncrasies of each
> language. For example:
>
> - I use the IDE as simply a text editor that uses colour to indicate
> context. I have no idea what most of the IDE is actually used for.
> - In DotNet a colour is an object. Very hard to write and retrieve a
> colour
> from a text file.
> - Just trying to make sense of the MSDN documentation to find API calls
> and
> obscure object properties and events is a major task in itself.
>
> I've taken several courses and they usually amount to building a "Hello
> world!" program with some simple sequential file I/O... Nothing that would
> be used in real life.
>
> I really want to get deep into VB, Java and programming for Windows and
> the
> web but I can't find anything but the most basic of courses.
>
> What can a programmer do???
>
> Thx!
>
>
| |
| Ken Halter 2005-02-28, 3:55 pm |
| "Steve Easton" <admin@95isalive.com> wrote in message
news:%236ipdNZHFHA.3612@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Download and install the MSDN library and then turn on "Dynamic Help" in
> visual studio.
>
Dynamic Help? Not in VB Classic <g>
--
Ken Halter - MS-MVP-VB - http://www.vbsight.com
Please keep all discussions in the groups..
| |
| Jeff Johnson [MVP: VB] 2005-02-28, 3:55 pm |
|
"Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
news:eU3vS1ZHFHA.4048@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Kevin Spencer
> Microsoft MVP
> .Net Developer
> Neither a follower nor a lender be.
Is that intentionally mis-quoted? If so, what is it supposed to mean?
| |
| J French 2005-02-28, 3:55 pm |
| On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 12:28:56 -0500, "Jeff Johnson [MVP: VB]"
<i.get@enough.spam> wrote:
>
>"Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
>news:eU3vS1ZHFHA.4048@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>
>
>Is that intentionally mis-quoted? If so, what is it supposed to mean?
It is from the Merchant of Venice
'Neither a borrower nor a lender be'
I think he means stay at the cutting edge and be harsh with legacy
code.
It makes some sense
- except the 'bleeding edge' is normally Beta and very unreliable.
| |
| Kevin Spencer 2005-02-28, 3:55 pm |
| Very close, JFrench. It is actually more generalized than that. See my reply
to Jeff Johnson.
--
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
Neither a follower nor a lender be.
"J French" <erewhon@nowhere.uk> wrote in message
news:422359d5.362776587@news.btclick.com...
> On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 12:28:56 -0500, "Jeff Johnson [MVP: VB]"
> <i.get@enough.spam> wrote:
>
>
> It is from the Merchant of Venice
>
> 'Neither a borrower nor a lender be'
>
> I think he means stay at the cutting edge and be harsh with legacy
> code.
>
> It makes some sense
> - except the 'bleeding edge' is normally Beta and very unreliable.
>
>
>
>
| |
| Kevin Spencer 2005-02-28, 3:55 pm |
| Thanks for asking Jeff. It is a proverb of my Uncle Chutney. As JFrench
pointed out, it is a parody of Shakespeare's "Neither a borrower nor a
lender be." Basically, it means that no student can become greater than his
teacher. A follower is one who looks at what others are doing in order to
determine the decisions that he/she will make. As such, a follower will
never discover something new, nor understand the underlying principles that
govern things. Those underlying principles are the keys to greater
understanding and new knowledge. For example, Calculus was invented by
building on the principles of algebra and trigonometry. But Isaac Newton was
no follower. He applied the underlying principles and derived a new branch
of mathematics.
As for the "nor a lender be" part - it completes the parody. In essence, it
is a play on words, combining the Shakespeare with the application of other
terms which give a new meaning to the phrase. Of course, it could read
"Neither a follower nor a leader be" but Uncle Chutney doesn't think
leadership is something to be avoided. So, he left in the "lender" part,
because that much is congruent with Chutney's philosophy. He doesn't believe
in lending; he believes in giving. He also likes to play with the Engligh
Language.
--
HTH,
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
Neither a follower nor a lender be.
"Jeff Johnson [MVP: VB]" <i.get@enough.spam> wrote in message
news:OWnb8rbHFHA.572@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>
> "Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
> news:eU3vS1ZHFHA.4048@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>
>
> Is that intentionally mis-quoted? If so, what is it supposed to mean?
>
| |
| Galen Somerville 2005-02-28, 8:55 pm |
| I like
They copied all they could follow
they even copied our mind
But we left them sweating and swearing
a year and a half behind.
Rudyard Kipling I think
Galen
"Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
news:uRoKxNcHFHA.3588@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Thanks for asking Jeff. It is a proverb of my Uncle Chutney. As JFrench
> pointed out, it is a parody of Shakespeare's "Neither a borrower nor a
> lender be." Basically, it means that no student can become greater than
his
> teacher. A follower is one who looks at what others are doing in order to
> determine the decisions that he/she will make. As such, a follower will
> never discover something new, nor understand the underlying principles
that
> govern things. Those underlying principles are the keys to greater
> understanding and new knowledge. For example, Calculus was invented by
> building on the principles of algebra and trigonometry. But Isaac Newton
was
> no follower. He applied the underlying principles and derived a new branch
> of mathematics.
>
> As for the "nor a lender be" part - it completes the parody. In essence,
it
> is a play on words, combining the Shakespeare with the application of
other
> terms which give a new meaning to the phrase. Of course, it could read
> "Neither a follower nor a leader be" but Uncle Chutney doesn't think
> leadership is something to be avoided. So, he left in the "lender" part,
> because that much is congruent with Chutney's philosophy. He doesn't
believe
> in lending; he believes in giving. He also likes to play with the Engligh
> Language.
>
> --
> HTH,
>
> Kevin Spencer
> Microsoft MVP
> .Net Developer
> Neither a follower nor a lender be.
>
> "Jeff Johnson [MVP: VB]" <i.get@enough.spam> wrote in message
> news:OWnb8rbHFHA.572@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>
>
| |
| Kevin Spencer 2005-02-28, 8:55 pm |
| Good one!
--
Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
Neither a follower nor a lender be.
"Galen Somerville" <galen@surewest.net> wrote in message
news:e2sERidHFHA.3072@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>I like
> They copied all they could follow
> they even copied our mind
> But we left them sweating and swearing
> a year and a half behind.
>
> Rudyard Kipling I think
>
> Galen
>
> "Kevin Spencer" <kevin@DIESPAMMERSDIEtakempis.com> wrote in message
> news:uRoKxNcHFHA.3588@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> his
> that
> was
> it
> other
> believe
>
>
|
|
|
|
|