Visual Basic 6.0 Instructions

Visual Basic 6.0 allows users to create programs.

Visual Basic 6.0 is the last edition of the beginner-level computer programming software used by many businesses to create their applications. Microsoft has ceased to offer the program's online integrated development environment, replacing it with extended support for the newer .NET programming software. But basic support is still offered so developers can continue to receive assistance while using Visual Basic. To start using the program and its language, practice creating a button and a variable, both essential parts of most applications because they allow the user to choose functions when the application begins.

Instructions

Create a Button

1. Activate the Visual Basic 6.0 program on your computer. Click the "File" menu at the top of the screen, and click "New Project." When the "New Project" dialog window appears, click the "Standard EXE" icon.

2. Click the "Run" menu at the top of the screen, and click "Start." This will initiate the functioning of your new application, and the "Form1" window will appear in your work area.

3. Click the "View" menu at the top of the screen, and click "Toolbox" so your working toolbox will appear in the left-hand side of the program window.

4. Double-click the button icon in the toolbox, which is the third icon from the top in the right side row. A "Command1" command button will appear in the middle of the program work area.

5. Double-click the "Command1" command button. This shows the button's code. Between "Private Sub Command1_Click()" in the first line and "End Sub" in the third line, write "MsgBox "Welcome"" in the second line. This will create text in the command button that says "Welcome." Now you know how to create buttons. Next you will create a variation for that button.

Create a Variable

1. Double-click the "Welcome" command button to show the code.

2. Type "Dim var1 As String var1 =" in the second line, and move "Welcome" to the third line.

3. Type "MsgBox var1" in the fourth line immediately after.

Tips & Warnings

• Use Microsoft's online Visual Basic 6.0 Resource Center when you have questions about how to use Visual Basic (see Resources).

• Create other types of variations for the button to offer different text and clicking options.

• Do not edit the first or last lines in the the command box's code, or the command box will not function correctly.

References

• EWeek: Application Development News: Microsoft Ends Support for Visual Basic 6.0
• VB6: Tutorials: Beginner Tutorial - Hello World
• VB6: Tutorials: Understanding Variables

Resources

• Microsoft: Visual Basic 6.0 Resource Center