About Box - A dialog box that contains information about a program.
Absolute Position - Measurement from the starting point of a graphic object.
Access Key - Key to press to activate a control rather than using the mouse. Also called keyboard shortcut.
ActiveX - A custom control, program or DLL that can be added to a project.
API - Application Program Interface: a collection of DLLs used for Windows Programming.
Argument - A value being passed to or from a procedure.
Array - A series of items, such as a control array or a variable array.
ASCII Code - The code used to represent characters on a microcomputer (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
Assignment Statement - Assigns a value to a variable or property of an object.
.BAS file - File used to store standard code modules.
BOF - Beginning of file, used for the Recordset object of the data control.
Boolean - A data type that evaluates True or False.
Break Time - Temporary break in execution of a program; used for debugging.
Breakpoint - Indicated point in project code where execution should break; used for debugging
Buffer - Temporary storage area used for reading and writing data files. On a write, data are placed in the buffer until it is filled and then written to disk.
ByRef - Declares that an argument passed to a procedure should be passed as the address of the data so that both calling and called procedures have access to the same memory location. Default type of argument used in DLLs.
ByVal - Declares that an argument passed to a procedure should be passed as a copy of the data. The calling and called procedures do not have access to each other's variables.
Cell - Intersection of a row and column; used for the grid control.
Check Box - A control used to indicate a value that may be True or False. In any group of check boxes, any number may be selected.
Checked - Selected. A menu command preceded by a check mark or a check box containing an X.
Class - A prototype or blueprint for an object indicating the properties and methods.
Class Module - Code used to define a new class of object.
Clipping Region - Graphics area that defines the area to be redrawn.
Code - Programming statements in the Basic Language.
Code Window - The Visual Basic window in which code is displayed and written.
Color Constant - Predefined constants for specifying colors, such as vbRed and vbBlue.
Column - A vertical section of a grid control.
Combo Box Control - A control that is a combination of a list box and a text box.
Command Button - A control used to activate a procedure.
Common Dialog Boxes - A set of Windows dialog boxes available to Visual Basic programmers for Open, Save, Fonts, Print and Color.
Compile Error - A syntax error (usually spelling or punctuation) found by the compiler before execution begins; causes Visual Basic to enter break time.
Compound Condition - Multiple conditions combined with the use of the logical operators, And or Or.
Concatenation - Joining string (text) fields. The ampersand (&) is used to concatenate text.
Condition - An expression that will evaluate True or False. May be a comparison of two values (variables, properties, constants) using relational operators.
Constant - A value that cannot be changed during program execution.
Context-Sensitive Help - Use of the F1 function key to directly access the Help topic related to the code containing the cursor.
Control - An object used on a graphical interface, such as an option button, text box, command button or label.
Control Array - A group of controls sharing the same name and event procedures.
Coordinate System - A measurement system used for creating graphics.
Crystal Reports - A VB add-in that can be used to design and print reports for database files.
Current Record - The position of the pointer in a database table or data file.
Custom Controls - Additional controls that may be added to the toolbox for inclusion in a project. Also called ActiveX controls.
Data Element - Unit within a user-defined data type or a data record. Also called a Field.
Data File - Disk file that holds values for data records.
Data Tip - A small label that displays the current value of a variable, property or expression. Available only at break time by placing the pointer over the desired value.
Data Type - Specifies the type of value to be stored in a variable or constant. May be used to indicate the return type for a function. Examples of data types are Integer, String, Variant, Boolean, Long, Single, Double, Date, Currency and Byte.
Debug Window - A window that appears when a project is executed. It contains information about the status of the project and can be used to display or change program values.
Debugging - Finding and eliminating computer program errors.
Declaration - Nonexucutable code that sets up variable and constants, declares data types, and allocates memory. Can be used to set up arrays and specify the data type returned by the function. Example declaration statements are Dim, Const, Static, Public and Private.
Design Time - The status of the Visual Basic environment while a project is being developed, as opposed to run time or break time.
Direct Reference - Accessing an element of an array by a subscript when the value of the subscript is known.
DLL - Dynamic Link Library; a file with an extension of .DLL is used to hold procedures.
Dropdown Combo Box - A combo box control with a down-pointing arrow that allows the user to pull down the list. Allows efficient use of space on a form.
Dropdown List - A list box with a down-pointing arrow allowing the user to pull down the list. Allows efficient use of space on a form.
Dynaset - Temporary set of data taken from one or more tables in the underlying database file.
Element - Single item within a table, array list or grid.
Embed - An OLE action causing an object from a different application to be contained within a VB application. An embedded object cannot be modified from other applications.
Empty String - A string with a length of zero characters.
Enabled - A command button or menu command that is available to the user; indicated by a black caption rather than a tray caption.
EOF - End of file; a condition that evaluates True when reading sequential files or accessing a database using a Recordset object of the data control.
Err Object - A special predefined Visual Basic Object that stores the error number and its description when a run-time error occurs.
Error Trapping - Coding to control the action when an error occurs.
Event - An action that may be taken by the user, such as a click, drag, key press or scroll. Events can also be triggered by an internal action, such as repainting the form or validating a database action.
Event-Driven Programming - Applications designed to respond to actions taken by the user.
Event Procedure - A procedure written to respond to an action taken by the user.
Field - A group of related characters used to represent one characteristic or attribute of an entity in a data file or database.
File Mode - Specification for the manner that data can be accessed from a disk file, including Input, Output, Append, Random and Binary.
File Number - Buffer number used to read and write records in a data file.
File Pointer - Used to keep track of the current position when reading or writing a data file.
Flag - A variable, usually of Boolean type, used to indicate status, such as True or False, On or Off, Found or Notfound. Also called a Switch.
Focus - The currently selected control, indicated by an I-beam, selected text, highlighted caption or a dotted border. The control with the focus is ready to receive user input.
Form - An object that acts as a container for the controls in a graphical interface.
Form File - A file with a .FRM extension; contains the code and controlling information for a single form.
Form Module - The code related to a single form.
Form Window - The window in which the form is displayed at design time; can be displayed by pressing the Show Form button in the Project window.
Format - A specification for the way information will be displayed, including dollar signs, percent signs and number of decimal positions.
Format String - A string of characters used to specify a custom-designed format.
Frame - A control used as a container to group other controls.
Function - A procedure that returns a value when it is called.
General Declarations Section - The portion of a code module used to declare variable that will be available throughout that module.
Global - The scope of a variable, constant or procedure that makes it available in all modules of a project.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) - Program application containing icons, buttons and menubars.
Grid control - A control that has rows and column and displays data in cells.
Handle - A small square on a selected control at design time; used to resize a control.
Identifier - A programmer-supplied name for a variable, constant, procedure or control.
Image - A control that can contain a picture; has a stretch property to adjust the size of the contained graphic.
Index - A variable or a property that stores the position number of the elements in a series; used for list box controls, control arrays, variable arrays and database records.
Instant Watch - A debugging feature that allows you to quickly see the current value of a variable or expression.
Intrinsic Constants - Constants supplied with a language or application such as vbBlue.
Intrinsic Controls - Basic controls provided in the toolbox.
Iteration - A single pass through the body of a loop.
Key Field - The field (or fields) on which a data file is organized; used to search for a record.
Label - A control that displays text as a Caption; cannot be altered by a user.
Line-continuation Character - A space and underscore; used in program code to indicate that a Basic statement continues on the next line.
Link - An OLE relationship that places an object in your project but allows other applications to access and modify the object. A linked OLE object is not stored inside your project and is maintained by the creating application.
List Box Control - A control that hold a list of values; the user cannot add new values at run time.
Literal - A string expression enclosed in quotation marks.
Local - The scope of a variable or constant that limits its visibility to the current procedure.
Logical Error - An error in a project that does not halt execution but causes erroneous results in the output.
Logical Operator - The operators And, Or and Not; used to construct compound conditions and to reverse the truth of a condition.
Lookup - An operation that searches a table or and array to find a value when the subscript is not directly known.
Loop - A control structure providing for the repetition of statements.
Loop Index - A counter variable used in a For/Next loop.
Menu - A list of choices; the available commands displayed in a menu bar.
Message Box - A dialog box displaying a message to the user. The MsgBox function returns a value indicating the user's response.
Method - Predefined actions (procedures) provided with objects.
Modal - A form that requires the user to respond before transferring to any other form in the projects.
Modeless - A form that does not prevent the user from accessing any other form before responding.
Module - A collection of procedures; may be a form module, a standard code module or a class module. Each file in a project is a separate module.
Navigation - Stepping through the records of a database file; Next Record, Previous Record, First Record or Last Record.
Nested - A statement completely contained within another statement, such as a loop within a loop or a decision within a decision.
Object - An occurrence of a class type that has properties and methods. A specific instance of a control type or form.
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) - An approach to programming that uses objects and their properties. Each type of object behaves in a certain way. Application are built by combining objects and coding the actions to be taken when events occur. Visual Basic has many (but not all) of the characteristics of an object-oriented language.
OLE - Object linking and embedding; a process used to share objects among applications.
Option Button - A control used to indicate a value that may be True or False (selected or not selected). In any group of option buttons, only one button may be selected.
Order of Precedence - Hierarchy of mathematical operations; the order in which operations are performed.
Persistent Graphics - Graphics that are saved in memory and can be redisplayed.
Picturebox - A control used as a container; may hold graphics, pictures, text or other controls.
Pixel - Picture element; a single dot on the screen; a unit of measurement for displaying graphics.
Point - A printer's measure used to define the size of a font; 1/72 of an inch.
Posttest - A loop that has its test condition after the body of the loop; the statements within the loop will always be executed at least once.
Pretest - A loop that has its test condition at the tip; the statements inside the loop may never be executed.
Print Zone - Preset column width used with the Printer object.
Private - Specifies local scope in a declaration. A procedure declared as private can be called only from another procedure in that module. A private variable is available only in the module in which it is declared.
Procedure - A unit of code; may be a sub procedure or a function procedure.
Professional Edition - A version of Visual Basic that includes more controls than the Standard Edition and allows more robust database programming.
Project File - A file with a .VBP extension; used to store the information displayed in the Project window.
Project Window - A window that displays a list of the forms and standard code modules used for a project.
Properties Window - A window that shows the properties for each object in a form.
Property - Characteristic or attribute of an object; value may be set at design time or run time depending on the specific property.
Public - Specifies scope as global. A procedure declared as public can be called form other modules; a public variable is available in other modules in the project.
Random File - A data file that may be read or written in any order; has fixed-length records.
Record - A group of related fields; relates to data files and database tables.
Recordset - The current group of records associated with a data control; may be a table recordset, a dynaset or a snapshot.
Relational Operator - Comparison operators, including <, > and =.
Relative Position - In graphics, the position in relation to the last point drawn.
Remark - A Basic statement used for documentation; not interpreted by the compiler; also called a comment.
Row - A horizontal section of a grid control.
Run Time - While a project is executing.
Run-time Error - An error that occurs as a program executes; causes execution to break.
Scope - The extent of visibility of a variable or constant. The scope may be global, module level or local.
Search Argument - The value to be matched in a lookup operation.
Separator Bar - A horizontal line used to separate groups of menu commands.
Simple Combo Box - A control that combines a text box and a list box, with no dropdown capability.
Single Step - A debugging feature that executes the project code one line at a time and displays each line.
Snapshot - A temporary set of data from a database file that is not updateable or "live".
Source - The object being dragged in a drag-and-drop operation.
SQL - Structured Query Language; an industry-standard database language available in Visual Basic.
Standard code Module - A file with a .BAS extension used to declare global variables and constants; can contain procedures that will be called from multiple forms.
Startup Form - The first form to appear when a project begins execution; a project must have a startup form.
Statement - A line of Visual Basic code.
Static - A setting for local variables that retains the value for multiple calls to the procedure.
String Literal - A constant enclosed in quotation marks.
Sub Procedure - A procedure that takes actions but does not return a value.
Subscript - The position of an element within an array.
Subscripted variable - An element of an array.
Switch - see Flag.
Tabbed Dialog - A control that adds tabs that resemble folder tabs. Used to increase the usable portion of a window and to organize functions.
Table - A two-dimensional array.
Table Recordset - A recordset defined using a single table in a database file.
Text Box - A control for data entry; its value can be entered and changed by the user. Also called an Edit Box.
Third party Control - A custom control produced by a company other than Microsoft.
Timer Control - A control that can be made to fire an event at a specified interval; can be used to perform actions repeatedly.
Toolbar - The group of buttons beneath the menu bar; used as shortcuts for menu commands.
Toolbox - A window that holds buttons used to create controls on a form.
Twip - A unit of measure for the display screen; 1/20 of a point or 1/1440 of an inch.
User-defined Data Type - Grouping of data elements to create a new data type that can be used in declaration statements.
User Interface - The display and commands seen by a user; how the user interacts with an application. In Windows, the graphical display of an application containing controls and menus.
Validation - Verification of the values entered by the user. Validation may include checking for a range of values, checking for specific values or verifying the data type.
Variable - A memory location referred to by a name. The value of a variable can change during execution of an application.
Visual Basic Environment - The Visual Basic elements used for program development at design time; includes the menu bar, toolbar, toolbox, Form window, Property window, Project window and Menu editor.
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) - A version of Visual Basic that is included in many Microsoft application programs, such as Excel and PowerPoint.
Watch - A debugging tool that allows the programmer to view the value of a variable or expression as the project executes.
Web Browser - A control that has methods to navigate the Internet.
ZOrder Method - Changes the stacking order of graphical elements.
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