The first step to using any program is installing and configuring it. You certainly wouldn’t get too far without doing that! Fortunately, VB is a relatively straightforward program to set up, thanks to those lovely wizards. Once it is installed, it is highly configurable to suit your needs and personal preferences.

In addition to the installation methods and configuration, this chapter will also cover Microsoft’s Visual SourceSafe. While the Microsoft exam doesn’t deal with this very much, you are expected to know about implementing source code version control, which is what SourceSafe is all about.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and prepare to step through all the options that Microsoft gives you—before you code a single thing!

Any programmer who’s worked on a big project can testify to the necessity of version control. Sometimes changes are made that don’t work or changes that need to be made aren’t, and the need for tracking and sometimes returning to a previous version becomes apparent. In addition, large projects often mean large groups of files that can be difficult to manage. For this purpose, Visual SourceSafe (VSS) comes to the rescue.

VSS keeps a record of changes made to your source code. Changes to source code are saved to a database, and can then be edited and restored as you need it. Visual Basic 6.0 (VB) has the built-in capability to create projects from, add projects to, and invoke VSS. This is all done from the SourceSafe submenu on the Tools menu.

Also in the SourceSafe submenu, you can configure how VB will interact with VSS. Opening "Options" from this submenu, you can configure the options shown in Figure 1. For each of these options, you have three choices: Yes, No, and Ask. Setting these options will determine whether VB will open and save files to the VSS database, or if it should ask you each time you attempt to open or save a file. The final option in this dialog box determines whether deleted forms from your VB project should also be deleted from the VSS database.

In using VSS, the user must have a valid user account. Accounts are created with SourceSafe’s Admin utility . If a user does not have a valid account, he or she won’t be able to access the database. Instead, the user will receive a message stating that the user in question isn’t found.

Using VB with VSS is almost transparent and is easy to use. Most of the work for SourceSafe is done by the VSS Administrator. A programmer’s interaction with a VSS database is mainly limited to a logon screen. When saving to the database, the VB programmer will be asked to provide his or her username, password, and the database he or she wishes to save to (or open projects from, if that is the case) .

If Microsoft were to change its motto, it would probably be to something like "All roads lead to Rome". Microsoft has always had the habit of giving users more than one way of doing things. The installation of Visual Basic 6.0 is no different.

Visual Basic 6.0 is available as a standalone program, or it can be installed as part of the Visual Studio 6.0 Suite of products. VB is the same program in either installation, but the methods of installation are slightly different. In this chapter we will cover how to install VB both as part of Visual Studio and as a standalone program.

Before performing the installation, make sure that the computer on which you’re installing VB meets the system requirements. There’s no better way of wasting money and time than not having hardware that’s powerful enough to run the software. The system requirements for VB are listed in the following table:

The installation of VB6 is a simple process. Upon starting the setup program, a Wizard steps you through each phase of the installation process. It is rare to experience problems during the installation.

As has been said, and is pretty obvious, the first step of starting the installation process is starting the setup program from your installation CD-ROM. Once this is done, you’ll be met with the typical opening screen that welcomes you and tells you that you’ll be walked through the setup of Visual Studio. Clicking Next, you are then faced with the End User License Agreement. If you want to continue, click the "I accept the agreement" option button, then choose Next . Failing to do so will only give you the option of exiting the Setup Wizard. All other command buttons will become disabled except the Exit button.

After accepting the agreement, you will be given the option of Uninstalling previous installations of Visual Basic and other programs that come with the Visual Studio Suite (see Figure 2-2). While the Uninstall screen proclaims that it wants to remove Visual Studio 97, standalone versions of these programs will also appear checked off . In other words, if you’ve never owned Visual Studio 97 and have a copy of Visual Basic 5 on your system, Visual Basic will appear checked. If you wish to keep your previous version of Visual Basic, simply uncheck the box beside the program’s name.

The next step is finally deciding what kind of installation you’d like to perform. You have three options here: Custom, Products, or Server Applications (see Figure 3). This may be a little different from some of the options given by other suites. Visual Studio offers different options for servers, workstations, and standalone computers. Server Applications installation skips over workstation programs and will install server tools. Products installation will install programs used on workstations and standalone computers, such as the Visual Basic program . Custom installation allows the installation of server and workstation/standalone products. For standalone computers, choose either Products or Custom.

Following this, you will get a screen telling you that Visual Studio Setup is starting, followed by a screen welcoming you to the setup program. Clicking on the Continue button will get you on your way. You are then required to verify your Name and Company name, which it will enter for you from information it obtains from the system. If this information is incorrect, this is your only chance to change it . You are also required to enter the CD key that comes with your installation package . You will not be able to continue without a valid CD key.

After verifying and inputting this information, click Next and you’ll see a Product ID screen. This is the same information that will appear in the About screen in VB’s Help menu. The Product ID is occasionally requested by Microsoft when you call their support number. It is a good idea to write this number down. It will do you little to no good that it appears in the About this Product screen in Help if you’re unable to load Visual Basic!

The next screen will ask you if you wish to install other client products, such as InstallShield. This version of InstallShield is designed for Visual C++. Click the Install button if you’re also installing Visual C++, or Next if you’re not.

The following screen offers you a choice of changing the installation directory, exiting the installation, or customizing the installation. This is a different from the previous option screen because this customization deals with choosing what programs you want to install. If the current directory to install to is okay, just click the Custom button. You’ll be faced with a listing of different programs and tools (see Figure 4). If you just want to install VB, deselect everything except Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 and Data Access . Parts of VB won’t run properly without the Data Access components installed. After selecting the components you wish to install, click the Continue button.

VB (and any other components you selected) will now install onto your hard drive. No further interaction is required until after all files have been transferred, and your system files have been updated. Once this is done, a screen offering you the options to either exit setup or restart your computer appears. Clicking on the Restart Windows button will reboot the computer; on loading Windows, your system files will finish being updated. Upon entering Windows, you can start VB and begin programming.

One of the most important aspects of installing a program occurs before you even purchase it. As was mentioned earlier in this chapter, make sure your system has the minimum requirements to run VB. The minimum requirements are listed in Table 2-1.

In addition, make sure you’ve purchased the version of VB that suits your needs. As with many of Microsoft’s development programs and suites (such as Visual Studio 6.0), VB comes in several flavors. These are Standard, Professional, and Enterprise. With each flavor comes different tools. The basic components needed to create programs come in the Standard package. Extra tools and files are added to the standard package in Professional, and the Enterprise version carries tools that allow you to create robust network and standalone applications.

Once you’ve decided on the package you need and determined that your system will support VB, you’re ready to install it. After starting the setup program from the installation CD-ROM, you’ll be greeted with a Welcome screen. After clicking on Next, a screen appears that outlines the End User License Agreement, outlining your agreement in using the product. There are two choices here: one that accepts the agreement, and another that declines it. To continue with the installation, you must accept the agreement.

Continuing with the installation, you will be faced with a screen that requires information about you and proof that you are performing a legal installation. Two of the three fields here, Name and Company, will be filled in already from information obtained from the Windows Registry. If this information is incorrect, this will be your only chance to change it. The third field asks for a CD key. This is the registration number that appears on the package containing the installation CD-ROM. It’s use is to determine that you are making a valid install, rather than installing pirate software. After confirming and inputting the necessary information, click Next.

The dialog box that follows is a Product ID screen This contains an identification number that has been made up from the CD key you entered and information coded into the setup program. It is wise to write this number down. While this serial number can be viewed after your installation is complete (select Help | About Microsoft Visual Basic), that won’t do you any good if VB doesn’t install properly or won’t start at all. It is also a good idea to keep this number in a safe place.

The remaining screens involve choosing the type of installation you wish to perform, and where you want the files to be installed. If you don’t want VB to install to the default C: drive and directory, this is when you should change the default settings. However, if Setup detects that not enough room is available on the drive you’ve chosen, you will be given another chance to choose a different target directory. Of the installation types available, Typical installation will install the main components required to run VB on your system. Full installation will fully install VB and all of its components and documentation from the CD-ROM to your hard drive. Custom installation allows you to adjust the installation to suit your needs. If you choose Custom, you will also have to choose which components of Visual Basic you want to install. For most installations, Full is all that is required.

Following this, files will be transferred from the installation CD-ROM to your hard disk. This can be a long process, depending on the components or type of installation you’ve chosen, and the speed of the system. Information will be displayed about VB throughout the installation at this point. Also, a bar will display the progress of the installation. If for some reason this bar freezes and no hard disk activity occurs for some time, you may need to reboot your computer. Depending on when the problem occurred, VB installation may automatically continue from the point of failure, or you may be forced to run Setup again.

When all of the files have been successfully transferred, you will be informed that Windows will need to be restarted and asked whether you want to reboot the computer. Choose Yes, and your computer will restart, and the Windows system files will be updated. When Windows reloads, a submenu named "Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0" will appear on the Start | Programs menu. This is where you can start VB and begin programming.

From the installation disk, start the setup program.

You will be met with an initial welcome screen. Click Next to continue.

Accept the End User License Agreement. Click Next to continue to an information screen.

The information screen will already have your Name and Company Name information filled in. It acquires this information from Windows. If the information is incorrect, change it. Enter your CD key, which is located on the back of the Visual Basic installation CD-ROM cover. Click Next.

The next screen is a Product ID screen. This includes an ID number that should be written down.

Follow the remaining screens, choosing the type of installation you want to perform. If you choose Custom, you will also have to choose the components of VB you wish to install.

When prompted, reboot the computer. Your system files will be updated when Windows reloads.

After installation, VB will be available from the Start | Programs menu

Visual Basic is a highly configurable development program. To configure VB, click Tools | Options . This will bring up a dialog box that has the following tabs: Editor, Editor Format, General, Docking, Environment, and Advanced. Clicking on the different tabs will bring up various options that you can change to best suit your needs.

Before accessing the Options dialog box, it is important to realize that you must have a project open . It doesn’t matter if this is a current project or a new project. If you don’t have a project open, Options will be disabled (grayed out) under the Tools menu.

The Editor tab allows you to configure the Code and Project Windows. The Project window enables you to navigate through the forms and modules that make up the application you’re working on. This window also allows you to switch between viewing the design of a form (the buttons, fields, and so on that will appear as the user sees them), and viewing the code for that form. Viewing the code brings up the Code window. This is where you do your actual programming (that is, write your code). The top section of this tab controls settings that deal with code, while the lower section controls window settings (see Figure 5).

In the Code Settings section, there are a number of different options. The first of these is the Auto Syntax Check, which helps you prevent syntax errors in your code . VB will verify if the correct syntax has been used if this option is checked.

Below this is the Require Variable Declaration option . If this is checked, "Option Explicit" will be added to any new modules, making it a requirement that explicit variable declarations are used . When Option Explicit is added to the General Declaration section of your code, only explicit variables are allowed .

For those not familiar with variables (explicit or otherwise), it is important that you understand them. A variable is used to temporarily hold values during a program’s execution (almost like putting something in a box until we need it). When variables are used, a section of memory is held for any data we assign to the variable. You can then manipulate data in the variable as you would any other value (as we’ll see later).

The first step to using variables is choosing a name . As with everything in programming, there are rules to naming variables:

they must begin with a letter

they can’t contain a period or type-declaration character

they can’t be more than 255 characters

they must be unique within the same scope. This means the range in which the variable is referenced. In other words, you can’t have two variables named "MinWage" in the same procedure, form, and so on

It is also a wise idea to give the variable a name that’s meaningful. In the example "MinWage", you can guess that it refers to the minimum wage pay rate. One of the worst habits you can pick up is giving a variable a meaningless name. Imagine if you named a variable used for minimum wage "Bob" or "MyVariable". It might make sense now, but it won’t be of any use to you six months from now, when you’ve forgotten what it is.

Once you’ve chosen a name, you’re ready to use the variable in your program. The common (and best) method of doing this is to "declare" the variable by using the "Dim" keyword :

Dim MinWage As Integer

What you are doing when declaring a variable is telling your program that at one point in the program a variable called MinWage will be used to hold a value. The "As Integer" tells the program that the type of value will be an integer. You could also specify any of the following data types to be used in the variable:

Visual Basic doesn’t force you to explicitly declare a variable before using it. You could just put a variable in your code, such as the following examples:

MinWage=6.85

Minwage=6.65

Using this method creates implicit variables. However, while these appear to be the same variable with two values being assigned to it, notice that one variable is called MinWage, while the other is called Minwage. Visual Basic will create two variables because of this possible spelling error. This is a major problem with implicitly declaring variables.

This is where "Option Explicit" comes in handy. By typing this at the top of a module, every variable must be explicitly declared. This will keep you from making such mistakes as shown above. Every variable must be explicitly declared before it can be used.

Continuing with the other options on the Editor tab, Auto List Members is an option that makes it easier to program . When typing code in the Code window, a box will appear that completes a statement from where you point the cursor. Auto Quick Info determines whether information about functions and function parameters will be shown. Auto Data Tips will display a variable’s value where you place the cursor.

When typing code, it is always a good idea to use tabs. This is done by pressing the Tab key on your keyboard to indent certain lines of code. While this is by no means a requirement of programming, it is good practice. Look at the two examples of code, and you’ll quickly see how indenting makes code easier to read:

If x > y Then

Msgbox "X is greater than Y"

Else

Msgbox "Y is greater or equal to X"

End If

If x > y Then

Msgbox "X is greater than Y"

Else

Msgbox "Y is greater or equal to X"

End If

However, continually tabbing can quickly become monotonous. If the Auto Indent option is set, when you tab the first line of your code, all of the following lines of code will subsequently be indented . The width of the tabbing is determined by the value in the Tab Width property. This is a numerical value, and while its default is four spaces, you can set it anywhere from one to 32 spaces .

The Window Settings section contains three different options: Drag-and-Drop Text Editing, Default to Full Module View, and Procedure Separator. Drag-and-Drop Text Editing lets you drag and drop code from the Code window into the Immediate and Watch windows. When Default to Full Module View is checked, you can look at procedures in the Code window as a scrollable list of subprocedures. If this option is unchecked, the Code window will display one subprocedure at a time. The Procedure Separator property determines whether separator bars that appear between subprocedures will appear in the Code window. If this box is unchecked, no separation bars will appear before or after procedures.

The Editor Format tab allows you to configure the appearance of your code in the Code Window (see Figure 6) . Through this tab, you can set how each text style appears.

The Code Colors section contains a list of various text styles. These include comments, keywords, and so on. After selecting a text style from this list, you can then set the foreground, background, and indicator colors. The foreground is the text that is typed; background is the background color of the code window . The margin indicator is the left and right margin of the code window. To the right of this, you can configure the font and font size. Remember that changes to text styles here don’t reflect text that will appear in your program . It only affects the appearance of code in the Code window. Before saving any of these changes (by clicking on the OK button), you can view what the changes will look like in the Sample window.

The General tab allows you to configure settings for your Visual Basic project. Error handling and compiling settings are found on this tab. There are three main sections to this tab: Form Grid Settings, Error Trapping, and Compile (see Figure 7).

The Form Grid Settings allow you to configure the appearance of the form grid in Design mode. This section contains a number of options. Show Grid specifies whether the grid appears on your form. Grid Units sets the units of measurement used in the grid. The default unit of measurement is twips (for more information on twips, see the Exam Watch Note below) . This option is separated into two parts: width and height. Below this is the Align Controls to Grid. Enabling this option will automatically align a control’s outer edges to the grid lines.

The Error Trapping section determines how Visual Basic will handle errors (which is covered more in depth in Chapter 3). Break on All Errors will cause the project to enter Break mode when an error is encountered . If you have incorporated an error handler in your code, it doesn’t matter. This option will cause a break to occur regardless. Break in Class Module is the default setting, will only enter Break mode when an unhandled error is produced in a class module. This option will cause VB to enter Break mode at the end of the code that produced the error. Break on Unhandled Errors will make Break mode occur when an error is trapped and no error handler is found. If an unhandled error is in a class module, the break will occur on the line of code that caused the error.

The Compile section has settings that determine how a project will compile. If Compile On Demand is checked, the project must be fully compiled before it starts . If Background Compile is checked, idle time will be used to finish compiling a project. This property is only available if Compile On Demand has also been selected.

The final two options on this tab are Show ToolTips and Collapse Proj. Hides Windows. The first of these two determines if ToolTips for the toolbar and Toolbox items are displayed . ToolTips are those little labels that appear when you hold your mouse over an object for a length of time. The second option sets whether a window is hidden when your project is collapsed in Project Explorer.

If you use a laptop computer, you may get the wrong impression when they first see the Docking tab in the Options dialog box (see Figure 8) . This tab has nothing to do with docking stations. What this deals with is how windows in VB will interact with one another. Docking occurs when one window can attach itself to other windows . If an option here isn’t selected, you will be able to move a window on the desktop, and leave it there. In such a case, one window won’t connect itself to another.

There is only one section to the Docking tab, and it offers a list of windows that you can make dockable . Checking the check box beside an item will make that window dockable, while unchecking it will disable a window’s ability to attach to other windows.

As its name suggests, the Environment tab allows you to configure your Visual Basic development environment (see Figure 9). One of the features on this tab is the When Visual Basic Starts section . Here you can specify whether VB will create a new project when it starts, or if it will prompt you for what kind of project you’d like to open or create.

In this dialog, you can also configure how VB will react when you start (by pressing F5 for example) a program you’ve created. You can have it automatically save changes to your project, prompt you to save changes, or not save changes at all .

Templates can also be configured through the environment tab. You can specify which templates to show and the directory in which you want to save templates . Various kinds of templates are listed. To not show them, simply deselect the check box beside the template type that you don’t want shown. If you wish to change the directory that your templates are stored, you must know the path—no browse feature is available here.

The Advanced tab determines settings for various features of your current Visual Basic project. There are four configuration options for this tab: Background Project Load, Notify when changing shared project items, SDI Development Environment, and what External HTML Editor you wish to use (see Figure 10).

The Background Project Load affects how fast control is returned when a project is loaded . It determines if code is loaded in the background, an option that returns control to the developer faster. By default, this option is checked.

Notify when changing shared project items allows you to be notified when you change and try to save a project item that is shared. When items are shared by two or more projects, each project has a copy of that item. Because of this, this option will ask if you wish to synchronize all copies of an item before the project is saved.

The SDI Development Environment allows you to configure VB’s Integrated Development Environment (IDE). You can use a Single Document Interface (SDI) environment or a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) environment . When the SDI Development Environment is checked, windows can be moved anywhere on the screen, and will remain on top of other applications (when VB is the current application). In other words, you can see your other open applications (or the Windows Desktop) looming in the background. MDIs contain child windows, which are contained in a single parent window. The differences become obvious when you look at Figure 11 and Figure 12. The SDI Development Environment option allows you to choose between these two styles. Changing this option will only become apparent after you restart VB.

The final setting on the Advanced tab allows you to configure which program you would like to use as your default external HTML editor . If unaltered, VB will use the Windows Notepad program for your HTML editor.

1. Select Tools | Options.
2. The Editor tab should be shown. If it isn’t, click it. From here, click the check box for Require Variable Declaration so that a check mark appears beside it. This will automatically add Option Explicit to each new module, forcing you to use explicit variables rather than implicit variables.
3. Click the General tab. In the Error Trapping section, select Break on All Errors. This will cause VB to enter Break mode whenever an error is encountered.
4. Click the Environment tab. Under When a Program Starts, choose Prompt to Save Changes. This will cause VB to ask you if you want to save your project when you attempt to run it.
5. Click the OK button to implement the changes you’ve made.

VSS allows for source code version control. The ability to create projects from, add projects to, and run VSS is integrated into VB. Source code files are saved to a database. This allows you to restore previous versions of source code if needed.

In addition to the different flavors of VB (Standard, Professional, and Enterprise), you can also install this development program through standalone installation or through the setup of Visual Studio 6.0 development suite.

While the installation process is different between Visual Studio and standalone setups, configuration is identical. VB is a highly configurable development program. You can set how code will appear, how compiling will occur, the appearance of projects and VB, and much more. Configuring VB is a simple matter of pointing and clicking on the options you wish to set.

The Self-Test questions will help you measure your understanding of the material presented in this chapter. Read all the choices carefully, as there may be more than one correct answer. Select all correct answers for each question.

1. During installation of VB, you decide that you don’t agree with the End User License Agreement. Choosing the option that you don’t agree, what will happen?

1. You can click the Next button and continue.
2. VB will install as a limited evaluation copy.
3. You must either accept or exit the installation process.
4. None of the above
   C. Failing to accept the End User License Agreement will give you the option of either agreeing or exiting the installation. These are your only options.

1. You install VB through Visual Studio and find that parts of VB aren’t running correctly. What is the reason for this?

1. You didn’t select Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 during the install.
2. You failed to install of Visual InterDev.
3. You failed to install the Data Access components.
4. You didn’t select Win32 SDK during the install
   C. Failing to install the Data Access components may cause problems with aspects of Visual Basic. Failing to select Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 will cause VB not to exist, which doesn’t apply here. The other two choices will have no effect on VB’s functionality.

1. You are tired of typing "Option Explicit" in every new module you add to projects. What can you configure so that this is automatically added to your modules?

1. Require Variable Declaration in the Editor tab of the Options dialog box.
2. Require Variable Declaration in the Editor Format tab of the Options dialog box.
3. Require Option Explicit Declaration in the Editor tab of the Options dialog box.
4. Require Option Explicit Declaration in the Editor Format tab of the Options dialog box.
   A. Require Option Explicit Declaration in the Editor tab of the Options dialog box is used to add Option Explicit to new modules.

1. You want to configure windows in VB so that one window can attach to another. Which tab in the Options dialog box will you use to make this configuration?

1. Environment
2. Docking
3. General
4. Advanced
   B. Configuring windows so that they’ll attach to one another in Visual Basic is done from the Docking tab. The process of windows attaching this way is called docking.

1. Which of the following menus will give you access to Options, where you configure VB?

1. File
2. Project
3. View
4. Tools
   D. Options is available from the Tools menu in VB.

1. You want VB to check your syntax as you enter code. Which property will you check to enable this?

1. Auto Correct
2. Auto Syntax Check
3. Syntax Check
4. Auto Syntax
   B. Auto Syntax Check will check your code for syntax errors as you type.

1. If implicit variables are not allowed in a module’s code, what must appear in the General Declaration section of the Options dialog box?

1. Explicit Declaration
2. Explicit Only
3. Option Explicit
4. Explicit Only
   C. Option Explicit must appear in the General Declaration section if explicit variables are only to be used.

1. What must you enable for VB to complete a statement of code as you type it?

1. Auto List Members
2. Auto Quick Info
3. Auto List Tips
4. Auto Statement
   C. Auto List Members will list all possible members for a statement by displaying a box that will allow complete a statement from the insertion point.

1. What tab of the Options dialog box allows you to configure indentation in your code?

1. Editor
2. Editor Format
3. General
4. None of the above
   A. The Editor tab allows you to configure such things as auto indentation and tab width, used in the Code window.

1. You want windows in VB to attach to one another when one window is placed over another. Which tab in Options dialog box will you use to achieve this?

1. General
2. Editor
3. Advanced
4. Docking
   D. Docking allows windows to connect or attach to one another, when they are placed over one another on the VB desktop.

1. You want to configure VB to save changes you’ve made to your project each time you run a program you create. Which tab in the Options dialog box allows you to configure VB to do this?

1. General
2. Environment
3. Advanced
4. Compile
   B. The Environment tab in Options allows you to configure whether VB will save your project when you run it (by pressing F5), prompt whether you want to save it, or not save it at all.

1. You have decided to move your templates directory to another location on your hard drive. Which tab in the Options dialog box allows you to configure VB to do this?

1. General
2. Environment
3. Advanced
4. Properties
   B. The Environment tab allows you to configure which templates are shown and the directory that templates will be stored in.

1. While surfing the Internet, you found a program that you want to use as your default HTML editor. Which tab in the Options dialog box will allow you to specify this new program as your default HTML editor?

1. General
2. Environment
3. Advanced
4. ActiveX
   C. The Advanced tab allows you to specify which program you’d like to use as your default HTML editor.

1. During installation of VB, you reach the screen that requires you to input several pieces of information. Which of the following pieces of information is required by the VB installation? Choose all that apply.

1. Name
2. Company
3. CD key
4. Version ID
   A, B, and C. The Name, Company and CD key is required by VB installation. Failing to enter this information will halt the installation process.

1. As an experienced user, you decide that you don’t want ToolTips to be displayed in VB. Which tab in the Options dialog box will you choose to disable ToolTips?

1. General
2. Help
3. Environment
4. Advanced
   A. The General tab allows you to enable or disable ToolTips from appearing in VB.

1. You want to speed up the time it takes for control to be returned to you when a project loads. What will you configure for this to happen?

1. Background Project Load from the Advanced tab of the Options dialog box.
2. Background Project Load from the Environment tab of the Options dialog box.
3. Load Project in Background from the Environment tab of the Options dialog box.
4. Load Project in Background from the Advanced tab of the Options dialog box.
   A. Background Project Load will load a project in the background, thereby returning control to the programmer faster. It can be configured from the Advanced tab.

1. When installing VB through Visual Studio 6.0, you are given different setup options for installing Visual Studio. Which option will install workstation or standalone components (such as Visual Basic 6.0 and Data Access)? Choose all that apply.

1. Custom
2. Workstation
3. Products
4. Server Applications
   A and C. Custom installation will allow you to install server applications and workstation/standalone components. Products will only install the workstation/standalone components. There is no option for Workstation.

1. When installing VB through Visual Studio 6.0, you are faced with a screen that says "Uninstall Visual Studio 97". You don’t have Visual Studio 97, but you do have a standalone copy of Visual Basic 5.0. What will happen if you don’t touch any of the checked programs listed and click the Next button?.

1. Nothing. The Uninstall only effects copies of Visual Studio 97.
2. Visual Basic 5.0 will be uninstalled.
3. Visual Basic 6.0 will overwrite the previous version.
4. Visual Basic 5.0 will moved to a different directory.
   B. While the installation says that it wants to uninstall Visual Studio 97, it also lists components available through VS97, such as standalone installations of Visual Basic 5.0. Failing to unselect Visual Basic 5.0 from the list will uninstall it from your system.

1. You change the code colors for comment text (in the Editor Format tab of the Options dialog box) to red. You create a new form, and in the comment property for a label, you write some text. What will happen when you run the program?

1. Text in the label will appear in red.
2. Text on the form will appear in red.
3. Nothing. You can’t enter text during design mode into a label.
4. Nothing. Only comments in your code will be affected.
   D. Only comments in your code will be affected. Changes made to any text style appearing on this tab only affect the Code window. It has no effect on the appearance of a form.

1. When attempting to create a new project with VSS, you find you are unable perform this action. A message appears stating that the user isn’t found. What is most likely the problem?

1. VSS isn’t installed on your system.
2. The database is invalid.
3. You need to have an account created with the Admin tool.
4. You need to create an account through VSS’s Options.
   C. To access a VSS database, you must have a valid user account, which is created with VSS’s Admin tool. Failing to have a valid user account will result in the user not being found.

1. When connecting to the VSS database, you are required to provide three pieces of information. Of the following choices, what information must you provide to save to the VSS database? Choose all that apply.

1. Name
2. Password
3. Database
4. User ID
   A, B, and C. Connecting to the VSS database requires username, password, and database. You must have a valid account and the database must exist to connect to it.

1. What is the largest tab space you can set for your code, in the Editor Format tab of Options?

1. 4 spaces
2. 32 spaces
3. 64 spaces
4. 256 spaces
   B. The default tab space for indentation of code is four spaces. However, the largest tab space you can set is 32 spaces.

1. Compile on Demand is an option available from the General tab in the Options dialog box. What will enabling this feature do?

1. Allow you to press F5 to compile a program.
2. Compile the program without saving the project.
3. The project must be fully compiled before it starts.
4. The project will start before it’s fully compiled.
   C. When Compile on Demand is enabled, the project must be fully compiled before the program starts.

1. You have VB installed on a laptop, and want to configure it to interact with a docking station. Which tab in the Options dialog box will you choose to perform this action?

1. General
2. Advanced
3. Docking
4. None of the above
   D. None of the above. There is no configuration option that deals directly with laptops and docking stations. This is a trick question, as many users of VB confuse Docking with docking stations. Docking in VB’s configuration allows windows to connect or attach to one another when they are placed over one another on the VB desktop.

1. During installation of VB, you reach the screen that requires you to input several pieces of information. Assuming your computer has the proper information about you, you must input something into one of these fields. You are not allowed to continue unless you enter this particular piece of information. What is it?

1. Name
2. Company
3. CD key
4. Version ID
   C. The CD key is required by VB installation. The name and company information will be retrieved from your computer. Assuming this information is correct, you won’t need to change these two fields, just enter the CD key.

1. You want VB to create a new project each time it starts. Which tab in the Options dialog box will allow you to configure this?

1. General
2. Advanced
3. Environment
4. Startup
   C. The Environment tab includes an option to create a new VB project each time VB is started.

1. What error trapping method will cause Break mode to occur whenever any error is encountered?

1. Break
2. Break on All Errors
3. Break in Class Module
4. Break on Unhandled Errors
   B. Break on All Errors will cause the compiler to enter Break mode whenever any error is encountered.

1. What is the default measurement of grid units on a VB form?

1. Pixels
2. Points
3. Millimeters
4. Twips
   D. The default measurement of grid units is in twips.

1. You want to change the font and color of certain text styles that appear in the Code window. Which tab in the Options dialog box would you use to configure its appearance?

1. Editor
2. Editor Format
3. General
4. Styles
   B. The Editor Format tab is used to configure the appearance of the Code window.

1. Where must Option Explicit appear in your code if implicit variables are not to be allowed?

1. General
2. General Options
3. General Declaration
4. Option Declaration
   C. Option Explicit must appear in the General Declaration section if implicit variables are not to be allowed.

1. You attempt to install VB on a 386DX/33 computer with 16MB of memory, and a CD-ROM drive. The operating system used on the computer is Windows 95. Unfortunately, you find that VB won’t run. Why?

1. VB requires 32MB of RAM.
2. VB requires Windows 98 to be running.
3. VB requires a 486DX/66 or higher processor.
4. The computer doesn’t meet all of the requirements.
   C. VB requires a 486DX/66 MHz or higher processor, with a Pentium or higher processor recommended, on a Windows 95 machine.

1. You attempt to install VB on a Pentium computer with 16MB of memory, SVGA display, CD-ROM drive, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 as its operating system. Unfortunately, you find that VB won’t run. Why?

1. VB requires 32MB of memory.
2. VB won’t run on a Windows NT workstation.
3. VB can’t use SVGA display.
4. VB requires a floppy drive to be installed.
   A. On an NT Workstation, VB requires 32MB of RAM. On Windows 95/98, only 16MB are required

1. You attempt to access the Options dialog box from the Tools menu. When you click on the Tools menu, Options is grayed out and can’t be accessed. Why?

1. Insufficient memory.
2. There isn’t a project currently opened.
3. Options isn’t under the Tools menu, it’s under the View menu.
4. The user doesn’t have proper permissions set through the VSS Admin tool.
   B. You must have a project open to access the Options dialog box from the Tools menu. If you don’t, Options will be disabled and appear grayed out.

1. Which of the following are valid names for variables?

1. 1stOption
2. This.Is.A.Valid.Variable.Name
3. ThisIsAValidVariableNameToUseInAProject
4. None of the Above
   C. While not a very meaningful name, the variable name in this choice begins with a letter, doesn’t contain periods or type-declaration characters, and is less than 255 characters. Assuming that it’s unique within its scope, it is perfectly valid.

1. You are finding it distracting that you can see applications and the Windows Desktop behind VB’s development environment. What would you do to change VB’s appearance so that other applications and the Desktop aren’t appearing behind VB?

1. Check the SDI Development Environment check box on the Advanced tab in the Options dialog box.
2. Uncheck the SDI Development Environment check box on the Advanced tab in the Options dialog box.
3. Check the SDI Development Environment check box on the Environment tab in the Options dialog box.
4. Uncheck the SDI Development Environment check box on the Environment tab in the Options dialog box.
   B. Unchecking the SDI Development Environment check box on the Advanced tab will cause VB to use an MDI interface. Other applications and the Windows Desktop won’t appear behind VB’s development environment.

1. You attempt to install VB Enterprise Edition on the following computer: a Pentium with 16MB of memory, SVGA display, CD-ROM drive, 80MB of free hard drive space, and running Windows 98 as its operating system. Unfortunately, you finds that VB won’t install. Why?

1. VB Enterprise requires more RAM than the system currently has.
2. VB Enterprise requires more hard drive space than the system currently has.
3. VB Enterprise won’t run on Windows 98 without Service Pack 3.

VB Enterprise requires a minimum Pentium II processor.
B. VB Enterprise requires 128MB of free hard drive space for a typical installation and 147MB of free hard drive space for a full installation. For this system, you could install Standard or Professional editions, which require 48MB for typical installation or 80MB for full installation.

1. Which of the following operating systems can run VB? Select all the apply.

1. Microsoft Windows 95
2. Microsoft Windows 98
3. Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
4. Microsoft Windows 3.11
   A, B, and C. Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 (Service Pack 3 recommended) can all run VB. In addition, later versions of these programs, such as Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 5.0, can also run VB.

1. Which keyword is used to declare a variable?

1. Dimension
2. Declare
3. Void Main ()
4. Dim
   D. Dim is used to declare a variable. The syntax for this is:

Dim variable name (As data type)

Specifying the data type is optional.

1. You want to change the color of certain text that appears in the Code window. Which of the following would you change?

1. Text
2. Foreground
3. Background
4. Indicator
   B. To change the color of text that appears in the Code window, you would change the Foreground color.

1. You call Microsoft for support help, and are asked for the Product ID or serial number of your VB installation. In what two places were you able to obtain this number? Select all the apply.

1. From the Product ID screen during setup
2. From the box that VB came in
3. From Help | About Microsoft visual Basic.
4. From the README file VB setup places in the root directory
   A and C. The serial number that identifies your copy of VB can be obtained from the Product ID screen when you install Visual Basic, or from the About Microsoft Visual Basic dialog box that is available from the Help menu.