Elise- From my experience it doesn't really matter what language you learn. They all basically contain the same variables and control structures. The difference is the syntax. Some languages are better suited for different applications. Some like C++ allow you create your own classes. The key is the grasp the concept of programming. Once you have the concept of programming and how to write a program, the language almost becomes irrelevant. You can take all the classes, courses, and camps you can afford, but it comes down to experience. The time you spend trouble shooting your code is invaluable, because you learn what works and what doesn't. Standing on soapbox now.... I was in a similar situation myself, and with some experience under my belt this would be my advice. Learn C++ or C#. These are the most difficult languages to learn, but if you can learn them you will be able to apply that knowledge to any language. Don't just follow along to the book/instructor, write your own examples, break stuff and put it back together again. Create a scenario and write a program for it. The more time you spend the better you get, it's that simple. If you are interested in taking a peek at what VBA can do there is a very good book from MS Press, MS Access 2000 VBA Fundamentals. Pick it up and work thru the examples. The book is well written and explains the concepts pretty well. Stepping down... good luck -Anthony -----Original Message----- From: Elise Miller [mailto:emiller@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 4:39 PM To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [mso] Re: Online VB Classes Hey guys, this message is going to show what a novice I am about all this VB and VBA stuff. I actually am starting a master's program in IT this fall and need to demonstrate competency in an advanced programming language such as C, C+, C++ or Visual Basic. I'd like to learn Visual Basic so I can start getting good on Access eventually. I've never been much of a programmer (I still have nightmares about the Pascal class I took in high school) and don't know a whole lot about the programming world. (My interests and experience are in hardware and software mostly -- LANs, servers, etc.) Would Dian's class/book/lessons be a good place for me to start? How far would that get me -- i.e. do you think I'd accomplish what I need for the grad program or should I then go further? Thanks! -----Original Message----- From: Dian Chapman [mailto:dian@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]=20 Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 3:19 PM To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [mso] Re: Online VB Classes My Word 301 class has one, basic lesson on VBA along with lots of other things. My Word Forms/VBA course is all about automating forms with VBA. So the answer might be, if you wanted to learn a lot more about a lot of cool Word features...as well as, get a taste of learning VBA, take the 301 course...which you can either buy in eBook form and learn at your own pace, or wait for the January classes to start again, that run for 6 weeks, one lesson per week. But if your mind is set on learning VBA quickly or you have been asked to create some online forms that need to be automated like calculation or having the cursor jump to a specific location depending on what the user selected from a dialog or something...then the AutoForms/VBA class is better. It's a little more intense and I don't spend time teaching you how to use long doc reference fields or creating fill in letters with AutoText grouped replies.=20 Dian Chapman Technical Consultant, Instructor, Microsoft MVP & TechTrax Editor Word AutoForm/VBA eBook: http://www.mousetrax.com/books.html Tutorial web site: http://www.mousetrax.com/techpage.html TechTrax Ezine: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax/ -----Original Message----- From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carol Parent Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2002 10:46 AM To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [mso] Re: Online VB Classes Word Advanced Techniques (301) Course Word AutoForms and Beginning VBA Course Word Advanced Document Design Course http://www.mousetrax.com/techclasses.html >>>I do recommend Dian's classes on VBA and Word to get going.<<<<< Hello Greg, Are you recommending the Beginning VBA course? I noted VBA is mentioned in descriptions for the first two classes but would like to clarify which is 'best' for learning beginning VBA? Thanks much. Best regards, Carol Parent info@xxxxxxxxxxx http://www.tecminn.com I finally got it all together... I just wish I could remember where I set it down. ************************************************************* You are receiving this mail because you subscribed to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or MicrosoftOffice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To send mail to the group, simply address it to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To Unsubscribe from this group, send an email to=20 mso-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=3Dunsubscribe Or, visit the group's homepage and use the dropdown menu. This will also allow you to change your email settings to digest or vacation (no mail). //www.freelists.org/webpage/mso To be able to use the files section for sharing files with the group, send a request to mso-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and you will be sent an invitation with instructions. 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