MCSD in a Nutshell: The Visual Basic Exams

Since their introduction, the MCSD certification exams have been enthusiastically received by VB programmers who consider certification very important to their professional credibility. Programmers tend to be specialists--they tend to do the same kind of programming over and over. The MCSD exam is targeted at technical generalists--developers familiar with a broad array of Microsoft technologies and development approaches that are incorporated into Visual Basic. With its comprehensive overview of core technology areas, MCSD in a Nutshell is the perfect study guide and resource to help developers master technologies that are less familiar to them. In fact, its thorough review of Visual Basic-related development technologies also makes this an excellent tutorial for experienced VB programmers who wish to get up to speed on speed on some technology with which they work infrequently, if at all. Most certification books are really tutorials in disguise. In contrast, this book focuses on the advanced topics about which developers are actually tested on the exam. Topics include:

• Understanding COM
• Creating ActiveX Code Components
• Creating ActiveX Controls
• Creating and Using ActiveX Documents
• Creating Internet-Aware Applications
• Testing and Debugging
• Integrating Help with an Application
• Optimizing an Application
• Package and Deployment
• Incorporating Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS)

Incredibly, most certification books appear to assume that the reader has no prior experience with VB programming. In contrast, this book assumes an intermediate to advanced programmer who is concerned with learning more about each of the core technologies that are covered by the exam. And unlike some certification books, MCSD in a Nutshell is written by an author who has successfully passed the certification exams.

Getting your MCSD certification can be a difficult and expensive endeavor. As an MCSD, I can appreciate the time and money it takes. I also understand the frustration caused by the lack of good, relevant study material. When I crack a book on MCSD certification and find information on how to add controls to a form, I'm baffled. How can you possibly expect to pass an exam if you can't add controls to a form, and why did you spend money on a book that takes valuable pages to present such fodder?

I wrote MCSD In a Nutshell to be the book I wished I had when I got certified (I've been certified in VB since version 3). It's a no-nonsense, in-depth text on the Microsoft technologies you'll encounter on the exams - period. Most developers focus on a few areas of VB, yet the exams test your knowledge on all of the technologies encompassed by Visual Basic. For instance, have you ever built an ActiveX document? Chances are you haven't (and probably don't want to). However, ActiveX documents receive a disproportionate number of questions on both exams, considering how underused this technology really is. If you don't understand ActiveX documents, you’ll be hurt on the exams. Some books give you a dozen or so pages on ActiveX documents, while in MCSD In a Nutshell I wrote 41 pages. Many other books offer superfluous coverage of many topics (such as Microsoft Transaction Server), but I took the approach of diving deep and teaching you everything you need to know about a subject ! to pass the exams. When you fully understand a topic, the exact questions you'll encounter on the exams are irrelevant because you'll be able to think through the problem at hand.

You can read chapter 7, Working with Data, absolutely free at O'Reilly's web site.

I hope you find this book to be a valuable aid to your passing the exams, and a solid reference for your everyday programming. Good luck!

James Foxall, MCSD