The Potter's School

Computer Programming in Visual Basic 2

2-Semester Course: September through May

Course Description

Computer Programming in Visual Basic 2. This course is a continuation of Introduction to Visual Basic (VB) and the former TPS course Computer Programming I. In the course, students will enhance their programming skills with more complex problems beginning with creating their own version of the popular Minesweeper game. This project will incorporate algorithm design and module programming techniques. The project will be created in stages with programming testing modules throughout the development of the game. After completing the Minesweeper project, students will suggest projects to complete during the remainder of the course. God gave man the intellectual ability to create incredible programs to run computers for work and play. The class will be limited to eight students in order to provide as much one-on-one attention as possible. This course will provide a continuation of showing the infinite capacity of the power of programming. Students will need Visual Basic 2010 Express or Visual Studio 2010 Professional. Prerequisite. JH Introduction to Visual Basic (also the former HS Computer Programming I) or the TPS programming classes in C++ or Java. If you have not programmed in VB but have programmed in another language, the transition to VB is not difficult.

• Instructor: Bob Madison
• Required Software
1. Visual Basic 2010 Express Edition. Free download.
2. OR you can purchase Visual Studio 2010 Professional.
• REQUIRED Book is Visual Basic® 2010 Programmer's Reference, by Rod Stephens, Wiley.
  ISBN: 978-0-470-49983-2.
  
• The image to the left is the front cover of the text book.

The Free Visual Basic 2010 Express

This is the Free download link. You will be asked to register the software when you download it. Please register your copy of Visual Basic 2010 Express or the software will expire before the course ends!

Projects for the class

• The classic Minesweeper program
  We will start with this project and do the program in stages. We will emphasize the importance of modular programming.
  
• What will follow?
  After completing the Minesweeper program, we'll do whatever the students would prefer. Possible options could be:
  
• The Battleship Game
• A Mathematical Calculator with Graphics
• Suggestions from the students

How Much Time Will You Spend Per Week in This Course?

This is the most popular question that I get. The honest answer is I don't have a clue. The reason is that all of you are different in the way that you learn. Some of you will need more time than others, and some will need less. But, if I really needed to put an amount of time to this, I would say you will spend 3 to 5 hours per week outside of class.

Hope to "See" you in September! God Bless!