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Intro

In lesson 201, you will learn how to work with text files in Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, including reading and writing sequential text files and breaking up delimited strings. We will cover key string functions such as InStr, Left, and Right, and discuss the tab index and tab stop properties. You will also learn how to send parameters to your own subroutines. This lesson builds on concepts from earlier lessons, and it is recommended you have completed lessons 101 through 107.

Transcript

Welcome to Visual Basic 201, brought to you by VBLearningZone.com. I am your instructor, Richard Rost.

In today's class, we are going to learn how to work with text files. We will learn how to read and write sequential text files. I will teach you how to break up delimited strings.

We will learn a lot of string functions, including in-string, left, and right string. We will learn about the tab index and tab stop properties. We will also learn how to send parameters to our own subroutines.

The prerequisite for this class is Visual Basic 107. I strongly recommend you take 101 through 107 before taking this class.

There is a web page for this class located at VBLearningZone.com. Question mark, GO VB201. On this page, you will find sample project files, the course outline, and the student discussion forum.

If you have any questions about the material covered in today's class, post them here on the discussion forum. If you are watching this class in the Amocrine Video Player or the Online Theater, you will see this page load up to the right of the videos. Join in the discussion by posting your thoughts there.

In today's class, I will be using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. If you are using a different version of VB, such as VB.net or VB2005, you will find that the interface is different. However, most of the Visual Basic programming code will work just fine.

I strongly recommend you sit back, relax, and watch each video through once without doing anything. Then, replay the video again and follow along with the examples, building each project as I do.

Do not try to apply what you are learning immediately to other projects you might be working on. Instead, build the sample project in class with me.

Quiz

Q1. What is the main topic of Visual Basic 201?
A. Working with text files, including reading and writing them
B. Creating graphics in Visual Basic
C. Managing databases in Visual Basic
D. Designing user interfaces only

Q2. Which of these is NOT a string function mentioned as being taught in this class?
A. In-string
B. Left
C. Right
D. Lowercase

Q3. What properties related to forms and controls will you learn about in this class?
A. Border style and background color
B. Tab index and tab stop properties
C. Font size and font color
D. Window state properties

Q4. What should you do if you have questions about the material covered in the class?
A. Email the instructor directly
B. Post them on the student discussion forum
C. Search on Google
D. Wait until the end of the course

Q5. What is recommended before applying the lessons to your own projects?
A. Try to apply the concepts immediately
B. Skip the sample project and do your own
C. Build the sample project in class first
D. Only read the provided notes

Q6. According to the video, which version of Visual Basic is demonstrated during the lessons?
A. Visual Basic .NET
B. Visual Basic 2005
C. Visual Basic 6.0
D. Visual Basic 2012

Q7. If you are using a version of Visual Basic other than 6.0, what does the instructor say?
A. You cannot complete the lessons
B. The interface may differ but most code will still work
C. You must upgrade to Visual Basic 6.0
D. The code will not work at all

Q8. What course(s) should you take before starting Visual Basic 201?
A. Only Visual Basic 201 is needed
B. Just Visual Basic 101
C. Visual Basic 101 through 107
D. Visual Basic 301

Q9. Where can you find sample project files and the course outline for Visual Basic 201?
A. VBLearningZone.com
B. Only in the textbook
C. On YouTube
D. They are not available anywhere

Q10. What is one of the techniques you will learn regarding your own subroutines?
A. How to create new forms
B. How to send parameters to them
C. How to change their color
D. How to auto-generate them

Answers: 1-A; 2-D; 3-B; 4-B; 5-C; 6-C; 7-B; 8-C; 9-A; 10-B

DISCLAIMER: Quiz questions are AI generated. If you find any that are wrong, don't make sense, or aren't related to the video topic at hand, then please post a comment and let me know. Thanks.

Summary

Today's video from Visual Basic Learning Zone explores how to work effectively with text files using Visual Basic. I will show you how to both read from and write to sequential text files, giving you the skills needed for basic file manipulation. In addition, you will learn how to break apart delimited strings, which is essential when handling data exported from other programs or formats like CSV files.

We will also focus on a variety of important string functions. These include in-string, left, and right string functions, each of which plays a role in processing and extracting specific pieces of data from your text. Understanding how to use these functions will help you manage and analyze string data more efficiently within your projects.

As part of today's lesson, we will also look into the tab index and tab stop properties, which control the navigation order and focus behavior for your form elements, offering you more control over your application's user interface. Additionally, I will show you how to send custom parameters to your own subroutines, allowing your code to be more flexible and reusable.

It is important to note that this class has prerequisites. You should complete Visual Basic 107 before starting this material, and ideally, you should already have finished classes 101 through 107 to get the most out of today's session.

There is a dedicated web page for this class at VBLearningZone.com. On that page, you will find all the resources you need for the course, including sample project files, a detailed outline of the sessions, and access to the student discussion forum.

If you have questions regarding what we cover today, feel free to participate in the discussion forum. Whether you are watching in the Amocrine Video Player or the Online Theater, the discussion page should be easily accessible for you to join the conversation and share your questions or insights.

Today, I am using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. If you use a different version, such as VB.net or VB2005, you might notice differences in the interface, but you will find that most of the code examples and techniques presented here work in those environments as well.

I suggest that you begin by watching the video all the way through while just observing the process. Once you have a grasp of the concepts, watch it again and follow along, building each project step by step as I do in class. Focus on constructing the sample project for this session before trying to apply these concepts to your own independent work. This approach will give you a more solid understanding of the material.

You can find a complete video tutorial with step-by-step instructions on everything discussed here on my website at the link below. Live long and prosper, my friends.

Topic List

Reading sequential text files in Visual Basic
Writing sequential text files in Visual Basic
Breaking up delimited strings
Using string functions: InStr, Left, Right
Working with tab index property
Working with tab stop property
Sending parameters to subroutines