Creating Your First Program In Visual Basic

This instructable will show you how to program Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition. The example that you will create today is a simple image viewer.

If you like this instructable please push the + button at the top of the instructable. Thanks.

Also, I think I will be like half the other instructables out there and say that this is my first instructable and please don't be to harsh.

EDIT: Once you have completed this instructable, continue learning VB with my second Visual Basic Instructable: Creating a Program in Visual Basic: Web Browser

Step 1 Download Visual Basic

You can download visual basic 2008 from microsoft but this instructable is specificly for VB 2005 wich you can download from freeware files

EDIT: It is now recommended you VB 2008, as I will use it for any future tutorials. Link

Please note: you will still need to be connected to the internet during the install.

Comments

[waterlubber]

cool. first pic viewer that worked. unlike microsoft's example...:)PS had to double click button instead of adding code to avoid those pesky errors.
BTY Figured out had do to that auto size thing. set size to AutoSize. Easy. Same with copy right.
Use this:
MessageBox.Show("YOUR MESSAGE HERE")
That puts a pop-up!

[megatjt]

here is virtual basic expres edition free

http://en.kioskea.net/download/download-104-visual-basic-express-edition

[Fox-san48]

very nice, i just made the hello world thing in vb express 2008 that, i think is the best place to start, i'll try yours now though, thanks :D

[Colonel88]

It doesnt work because if you play it there is a ton of errors. Bad code.

[Colonel88]

"pic" is not declared. How to make it declared???

[munchman]

Pic is declared by the line

Private pic As bitmap

[Rockerx]

I just thought It would be funny to make a program that had a list of buttons and when you press one it made the sound that it had labeled on it. I found a cd of about 200 different sounds when this came to mind. I was about to do it but got stuck. How do you make a button make sound when you hit it and not do anything else?

[munchman]

hmm... I know you can embed a windows media control into a form... I'll tell you what... I'll look around for you and PM you with the answer. Thanks, Munchman

[Rockerx]

alright thanks!

[awang8]

It is possible to do this. First download a free converter and convert all your files to .wav (I'm not responsible for any viruses). In a new form add all the buttons you want and name them. Then double-click of their button. Some code should appear. Inbetween the two lines add:

My.Computer.Audio.Play(My.Resources.filenamehere, AudioPlayMode.Background)

replacing filenamehere with the name of your audio file (don't write .wav). Repeat for each button. You should now have about a hundred errors. Now, to fix those errors go to Project - Properties and click on the resources tab. Click add resource and select your file. Repeat for every song. All errors should disappear. Now debug your program and check to see if it works.

If it does: Hooray! You're finished. Now publish it and install.

If it doesn't: Make sure you done everything correctly. If it still doesn't work, get a hammer and smash your "I won't work for you" computer.

[animan1]

you dont need a converter!!! Goto www.mediaconvert.com

[munchman]

^{_{PSST: That's a converter, just an online one, that would chew into your usage limit if you use it a lot}}

[animan1]

no its unlimited free and online i use it all the times

[munchman]

But still a converter. And because it's online if you use it enough your internet usage will be eaten up (excess usage fees or even worse... shaping! )

[munchman]

That's a good idea. And, you just taught me resources. Thanks!

[awang8]

Happy to help.

[ReCreate]

How Do i register Visual Basic? I need a key,Since this is free

[munchman]

You shouldn't need a key. Make sure you get the express edition, not Visual Studio, you have to pay for the latter.

[ReCreate]

When i click on Help > Register product On the top it says Visual Studio I downloaded exactly what you have here,Whats going on?

[munchman]

Okay, I understand what is happening. Microsoft makes a product known as Visual Studio, it is a collection of VB.NET, Visual C# and Visual C++ in the one product. It costs around about $299 US for the Professional Edition. Visual Studio Express Editions (here is where my knowledge ended until I researched this) is these languages broken into separate products (ie VB.NET Express Edition) I didn't realise that they still came under the Visual Studio banner. Bottom line is, it is free, and sorry for the confusion.

[ReCreate]

Well,Why is it telling me i have to register in 28 Days now?

[munchman]

Hmm, that has never happened to me... Maybe Microsoft wants people to upgrade... Try downloading the latest version link

[ReCreate]

Argh...

[munchman]

Oh, your screenshot just made it click! You don't need to register, It just allows you to access things like program updates and whatnot. You don't need to do it, and if you don't the program isn't limited in any way. Just ignore it, the program will be fine. Once again, sorry for the confusion :)

[ReCreate]

Can You Rephrase that first sentence? And your Saying that registration is for something else? Whew,Good.

[munchman]

Sorry, not program updates, you get things such as added extra tools etc

[ReCreate]

Ok,Good.

[ReCreate]

Hmm.Ill try

[ReCreate]

Yes,I have Visual Basic 2005 Express edition,Is it completely free?

[ReCreate]

Nice,Downloaded,Installed it,Now i will have to wait till tomorrow,Its one o'clock AM

[ReCreate]

Ah,Im back,Now i checking out the tut ;)

[emptyport]

Great Instructable. I am a complete noob at this stuff but I had no problem creating this program.

[jeffconnelly]

You got the picture on step 6 from www.imagechef.com I was just on there.

[munchman]

No, it is my avatar. I got it from the MSN avatar website.

[munchman]

Although, looking at that site, I can stop using my low quality screenshot from msn (don't tell them I stole it.)

[lolcat360]

does the free version have any viruses?

[MasterMediaXD]

No

[Th3Snip3r]

Its from Microsoft, No, it doesn't.

[nattyee]

that's awesome munchman

[twenglish1]

cool instructable i made one on how to make a chat program in visual basic check it out