COMPUTER PROGRAMMING

Computer Programming Using Visual Basic .NET

The Computer Programming Using Visual Basic .NET module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of computer programming and software development using Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET). This module focuses on teaching students how to create interactive applications, develop problem-solving skills, and understand the concepts of object-oriented programming (OOP) through a hands-on approach.

Students will learn the basics of programming such as variables, data types, control structures, functions, and event-driven programming. They will be guided through the process of building graphical user interface (GUI) applications, using Visual Basic .NET’s drag-and-drop interface to design forms and user controls. Students will also explore key concepts of VB.NET like handling user inputs, debugging programs, and applying programming logic to solve real-world problems.

By the end of the module, students will have the skills to develop simple software applications, manage data through forms and controls, and understand the importance of proper coding practices in the development of efficient and maintainable programs.

Key Topics Include:

• Introduction to Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET): Understanding the VB.NET environment, interface, and its features. Students will be introduced to Visual Studio, the integrated development environment (IDE) used for VB.NET programming.

• Basic Programming Concepts: Learning about variables, constants, data types, and operators. Students will understand how to declare and use variables and constants to store and manipulate data.

• Control Structures: Understanding decision-making (if-else statements) and looping structures (for loops, while loops) to control the flow of programs.

• Functions and Procedures: Learning how to create reusable blocks of code to organize and modularize programs, using functions and subroutines.

• Arrays and Collections: Introducing arrays and other collection types to store and manage multiple data items in a single variable.

• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Understanding the basics of OOP concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism, and how they are implemented in VB.NET.

• Event-Driven Programming: Developing applications that respond to user actions, such as button clicks or text input, and understanding the event-handler model.

• Building Graphical User Interfaces (GUI): Designing and creating simple desktop applications with forms, buttons, textboxes, labels, and other GUI elements in Visual Basic .NET.

• File Handling and Data Management: Learning how to read from and write to files, allowing users to store and retrieve data in applications.

• Debugging and Error Handling: Understanding common programming errors and using debugging techniques and error handling (try-catch blocks) to fix issues in programs.

• Basic Application Development: Developing small-scale applications, such as a calculator, inventory system, or simple data entry application, to practice and apply learned concepts.

Through interactive lessons, programming exercises, and projects, students will develop practical skills in computer programming using Visual Basic .NET. By the end of the module, students will be able to design and implement basic software applications and have a strong foundation for exploring more advanced programming languages and concepts in the future.