Microsoft Visual Basic

Latest version of Microsoft's popular programming platform

Start Download

Latest version of Microsoft's popular programming platform

Start Download

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What is Microsoft Visual Basic

Microsoft Visual Basic Express is a package that allows you to build, test and debug programs in the Visual Basic programming language.

The Visual Basic Express Edition includes a set of useful development tools, such as the Visual Studio Remote Debugger Light, tools for the .NET framework, tools for Win32, SQL server tools and the actual Visual Basic Express studio.

Visual Basic is a programming language designed by Microsoft to be used in Windows for application development. As far as programming languages go, Visual Basic is relatively easy to learn and implement. It has been around since the early 1990s, and has undergone multiple improvements and upgrades.

The latest versions of the language integrate with Microsoft's .NET software framework, which is becoming more and more necessary for Windows programs to implement in order to stay compatible. While Visual Basic is easy to learn, it is good to bear in mind that it is still a programming language, and takes time to master. Without at least rudimentary programming knowledge, or desire to learn, this toolbox will not be much use.

The installation package includes the tools you need to get started developing your own programs, from simple utilities to complex applications. Visual Basic takes over many complex or tedious programming functions for the developer. For instance, it allows you to "draw" your dialogue boxes with your mouse or touch pad, which is why it is called Visual Basic.

The Express Edition includes a number of templates to help you get started, such as a template for a .NET-based program, a class library, WPF templates and a command-line program template. The interface is intuitive and easy to understand, with a toolbox on the left and other resource panels on the right. The tabbed workspaces are customizable, and drag-and-drop ready.

After the initial download, the installation package will ask you a few basic questions about your system and installation preferences, then download the remaining files, which may take several minutes or more depending on your internet connection.

Pros

Complete programming studio package

Visual Basic is easy to learn

Cons

Download and installation takes a long time