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Visual Basic – Application Development

Introduction to Application Development in Visual Basic

Overview of Visual Basic

Visual Basic (VB) is a high-level programming language created by Microsoft. It is widely

recognized for its simplicity, readability, and rapid application development (RAD) features.
It allows developers to create applications with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that can respond
to user actions such as mouse clicks, keystrokes, or form events.

Visual Basic has evolved from earlier versions (VB6) to [Link], which is now integrated within
the Microsoft .NET framework. This integration provides access to modern libraries, enhanced
security, and the ability to create cross-platform applications.

1.2 Application Development in VB

Application development in VB involves:

• Designing forms to act as user interfaces.

• Writing procedures and functions for modular and reusable code.
• Handling events triggered by user actions.
• Debugging and testing applications for reliability.
• Improving functionality through structured programming practices.

1.3 Key Features of VB for Application Development

• Event-driven programming → Code is executed when an event occurs (e.g., a button

click).
• Rich toolbox for GUI design → Includes buttons, labels, text boxes, combo boxes, list
boxes, and more.
• Support for modular programming → Developers can organize code into procedures,
functions, and classes.
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• Easy debugging and testing → VB provides error messages, breakpoints, and step-by-
step execution.
• Integration with .NET Framework → Allows access to modern libraries for networking,
database connectivity, graphics, and security.
• Rapid Application Development (RAD) → Applications can be built quickly with drag-
and-drop controls and minimal coding.

Improving the VB Application

Purpose of Application Improvement

Improving a VB application ensures usability, performance, maintainability, and security.

Poorly designed applications may work, but they often frustrate users, run slowly, or become
difficult to maintain.

Areas of Improvement

(a) User Interface (UI) Improvements

• Use consistent layouts to reduce confusion.

• Follow naming conventions: e.g., btnSubmit, txtName, lblResult.
• Provide input validation (e.g., show error when letters are typed in numeric fields).
• Ensure accessibility: tab order, tooltips, shortcut keys.
• Example: Instead of a cryptic error like “Input mismatch”, display “Please enter numbers
only.”

(b) Performance Improvements

• Optimize loops and conditional structures to run faster.

• Use arrays and collections for efficient storage and retrieval.
• Handle database connections properly: open only when needed, close immediately after.
• Avoid redundant calculations by storing results in variables.
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(c) Code Maintainability

• Write modular code with clear procedures and functions.

• Use meaningful variable names (e.g., StudentScore instead of x).
• Add comments for clarity.
• Group related code into logical blocks or separate modules.

(d) Security Enhancements

• Validate all user inputs to prevent SQL injection and malicious data.
• Use structured error handling (Try...Catch) to avoid crashes.
• Apply access modifiers (Public, Private, Protected) to protect sensitive code.
• Encrypt sensitive data such as passwords.

Using a Step-by-Step Approach

Why a Step-by-Step Approach?

Following a structured methodology prevents confusion, reduces bugs, and ensures applications
meet user requirements.

Stages of Development in VB

Step 1: Problem Definition

• Identify what the application should do.

• Define inputs, processes, and outputs.
• Example: Payroll system → Inputs (hours worked, pay rate), Process (calculate pay),
Output (salary slip).

Step 2: Design the Interface

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• Determine the controls needed: text boxes, labels, buttons, etc.

• Sketch the form layout on paper or using VB’s drag-and-drop designer.
• Ensure logical flow and intuitive design.

Step 3: Plan the Logic

• Break down tasks into smaller steps.

• Use pseudocode or flowcharts to visualize logic.
• Decide where procedures and functions are necessary.

Step 4: Write the Code

• Implement event handlers (e.g., Button_Click).

• Write procedures and functions to perform tasks.
• Add comments for clarity.

Step 5: Test and Debug

• Run the application with different inputs.

• Fix runtime errors and logic bugs.
• Use VB’s debugging tools (breakpoints, watch window).

Step 6: Documentation and Maintenance

• Document how the program works.

• Update application as user needs change.
• Maintain code readability for future developers.

Writing a VB Procedure

4.1 What is a Procedure?

A procedure is a block of code that performs a specific task.

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Types:

• Sub Procedures → Perform actions, do not return values.

• Function Procedures → Perform actions and return values.
• Event Procedures → Linked to user events such as button clicks.

Sub Procedure Example

Public Sub DisplayMessage()

MsgBox("Welcome to Visual Basic Application Development!")
End Sub

Function Procedure Example

Public Function AddNumbers(ByVal num1 As Integer, ByVal num2 As Integer) As Integer

Dim result As Integer
result = num1 + num2
Return result
End Function

Guidelines for Writing Procedures

• Keep procedures short and focused.

• Use descriptive names (CalculateTotal, ValidateInput).
• Make them reusable by using parameters.
• Add comments for clarity.

Calling Procedures

Calling a Sub Procedure

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Private Sub btnShowMessage_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles

[Link]
DisplayMessage() 'Call the Sub Procedure
End Sub

5.2 Calling a Function Procedure

Private Sub btnAdd_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]

Dim sum As Integer
sum = AddNumbers(10, 20) 'Call the Function Procedure
MsgBox("The sum is: " & sum)
End Sub

5.3 Passing Arguments

• By Value (ByVal):
Passes a copy → changes do not affect the original.
• By Reference (ByRef):
Passes the actual variable → changes affect the original.

Example:

Public Sub SquareNumber(ByRef num As Integer)

num = num * num
End Sub

Dim number As Integer = 5

SquareNumber(number)
MsgBox("The squared number is: " & number) 'Output: 25
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Practical Example: Simple Calculator

Public Function Multiply(ByVal a As Integer, ByVal b As Integer) As Integer

Return a * b
End Function

Private Sub btnCalculate_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]

Dim num1 As Integer = CInt([Link])
Dim num2 As Integer = CInt([Link])
Dim product As Integer

product = Multiply(num1, num2)

[Link] = "Result: " & product
End Sub

This example combines UI design (buttons, text boxes, labels), procedures, functions, and
event-driven programming.

Controls for the Calculator Example

1. Form

• Name: frmCalculator
• Purpose: The main window hosting all controls.
• Properties:
o Text = "Simple Calculator"
o StartPosition = CenterScreen
o FormBorderStyle = FixedDialog

2. Labels (for input and output)

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• Label for Number 1

o Name: lblNum1
o Text: "Enter First Number:"
o Purpose: Informs the user what to type in txtNum1.
• Label for Number 2
o Name: lblNum2
o Text: "Enter Second Number:"
o Purpose: Informs the user what to type in txtNum2.
• Label for Result (static title)
o Name: lblResultTitle
o Text: "Result:"
o Purpose: A caption label showing where the output will appear.
• Label for Displaying Result (dynamic output)
o Name: lblResult
o Text: "" (empty at start)
o Purpose: Displays the calculated result.

3. Text Boxes (for input)

• TextBox for Number 1

o Name: txtNum1
o Purpose: Accepts the first number input from the user.
o Properties:
▪ Text = "" (empty at start)
▪ Width = 100
• TextBox for Number 2
o Name: txtNum2
o Purpose: Accepts the second number input from the user.
o Properties:
▪ Text = "" (empty at start)
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▪ Width = 100

4. Button

• Name: btnCalculate
• Text: "Calculate"
• Purpose: Executes the btnCalculate_Click event to call the Multiply() function.
• Properties:
o Width = 100
o Height = 40
o Font = Bold
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Controls for Full Calculator

Form

• Name: frmCalculator
• Text: "VB Calculator"
• Properties: Fixed dialog, centered on screen.

Labels

• lblNum1 → "Enter First Number:"

• lblNum2 → "Enter Second Number:"
• lblResultTitle → "Result:"
• lblResult → "" (empty, dynamic output)

TextBoxes

• txtNum1 → For input of first number

• txtNum2 → For input of second number

Buttons

• btnAdd → "Add"
• btnSubtract → "Subtract"
• btnMultiply → "Multiply"
• btnDivide → "Divide"
• btnClear → "Clear" (optional but recommended)
• btnExit → "Exit"

2. [Link] Code for Calculator

Public Class frmCalculator

' Function for Addition

Public Function AddNumbers(ByVal a As Double, ByVal b As Double) As Double
Return a + b
End Function
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' Function for Subtraction

Public Function SubtractNumbers(ByVal a As Double, ByVal b As Double) As Double
Return a - b
End Function

' Function for Multiplication

Public Function MultiplyNumbers(ByVal a As Double, ByVal b As Double) As Double
Return a * b
End Function

' Function for Division

Public Function DivideNumbers(ByVal a As Double, ByVal b As Double) As Double
If b = 0 Then
MsgBox("Error: Division by zero is not allowed.")
Return 0
Else
Return a / b
End If
End Function

' Button Events

Private Sub btnAdd_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]
Dim num1 As Double = Val([Link])
Dim num2 As Double = Val([Link])
[Link] = AddNumbers(num1, num2).ToString()
End Sub

Private Sub btnSubtract_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]

Dim num1 As Double = Val([Link])
Dim num2 As Double = Val([Link])
[Link] = SubtractNumbers(num1, num2).ToString()
End Sub

Private Sub btnMultiply_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]

Dim num1 As Double = Val([Link])
Dim num2 As Double = Val([Link])
[Link] = MultiplyNumbers(num1, num2).ToString()
End Sub

Private Sub btnDivide_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]

Dim num1 As Double = Val([Link])
Dim num2 As Double = Val([Link])
[Link] = DivideNumbers(num1, num2).ToString()
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End Sub

Private Sub btnClear_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]

[Link]()
[Link]()
[Link] = ""
End Sub

Private Sub btnExit_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles [Link]

[Link]()
End Sub

End Class