Visual Studio even has a collection of frequently used commands in the My namespace. This is a very convenient time saver. For example it means that only one line of code is required to play an audio file:

My.Computer.Audio.Play("c:\windows\media\Windows Startup.wav")

instead of having to learn how to open the file and then play it. Combine this with the Intellisense feature that works like AutoComplete in Word but will also show what information is required to make a command work properly, and it is possible to create fairly complex programs very quickly.

As well as the essential work of finding and correcting mistakes, there is also plenty of help for creating and using databases. This is the best way of storing any information used by programs and better than simply suggesting text files.

A DVD is included with the Visual Studio Express Edition family. This almost makes the book worth the cost if you are on a dial up connection.

The biggest problem with learning Visual Basic is that it is restricted to Windows computers. That said, most of the basic concepts of programming apply equally between different languages.

Sadly there were one or two production errors in the book (p82 for example) with main text appearing in boxes. Nothing appears to be actually missing so it is no more than an irritation.

This book gives a good grounding in both the specifics of Visual Basic and more general aspects of programming. As we found it on Amazon for around £10 it is excellent value too.