Expert Guide to Visual Basic 6

Here is the Ultimate Visual Basic "secrets" book--written by a recognized authority! Learn the tricks that turn programmers into gurus; journey far beyond documentation. Advanced Win32 and registry sections lets programmers integrate VB 6's newest features with Windows; Internet sections show VB programmers how to build IIS apps, integrate Transaction Server, FTP and Winsock with their existing VB apps, and create Active Server pages. VBscript coverage shows how to use the Windows 98 Scripting Host with existing VB apps. The CD includes custom applications, source code, ready-to-run examples of advanced VB applets and applications, and a dozen third-party controls and applications for the hardcore VB programmer.

After a brief history of Visual Basic (VB), including hints on upgrading code from earlier versions, the author shares his expertise at debugging and accessing disks and files. Then it's on to using VB's date and string functions. (Here, the author includes some tips on coding for the year 2000 problem.)

Throughout this clearly written text, the author stresses a real-world approach to features that users will expect. Along these lines, he looks at how to present data in a more sophisticated manner, using the TreeView, grid, chart, and other VB controls. A section on MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface) and e-mail programming offers some invaluable material for the corporate programmer, as do the chapters on printing.

Later in the book, the author looks at Internet programming, paying attention to FTP and HTTP protocols and Winsock programming in VB. He covers Windows scripting, Win32 API functions, and dynamic control programming. The book finishes with some advice on optimizing VB applications and error handling. An appendix looks at incorporating transaction processing through Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS) using VB. --Richard Dragan