Microsoft WSH and VBScript Programming for the Absolute Beginner

by Jerry Lee Ford Jr.

VBScript is an excellent first programming language to learn. Its simplicity makes learning basic programming concepts easy. Yet VBScript is a powerful scripting language from which you can learn even the most complex programming concepts such as how to perform object-based programming. Unlike Visual Basic, VBA, and many other programming languages, there is no complex development environment to learn. In fact, you can create all your VBScripts using a simple text editor such as Windows Notepad. VBScripts can be run on WSH (Windows Script Host) and several other environments. If you are new to programming with Microsoft WSH and VBScript and are looking for a solid introduction, this is the book for you. Developed by computer science professors, books in the for the absolute beginner series teach the principles of programming through simple game creation. You will acquire the skills that you need for more practical WSH and VBScript programming applications and will learn how these skills can be put to use in real-world scenarios. Best of all, by the time you finish this book, you will be able to apply the basic principles you've learned to the next programming language you tackle.

Genres: Programming

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say that this is a definite must-read for anyone completely new to VBScripting and WSH. Being familiar with programming certainly helps in grasping this material more quickly but it's not a necessity. What really helps keep novices interested and engaged is the application of basic scripting concepts to the creation of simple and fun-to-play games. The book guides users in the creation of scripts to play Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, Black Jack and an assortment of other favorites. There are two things that continue to bother about this book: 1. The author doesn't really push the reader to put the teachings to the test (i.e. to write any code on their own), but rather lays out the complete script at the end of every chapter, 2. Because the focus is on games, the crux of scripting (administration, automation of simple tasks, mapping drives, printers etc.) gets put on the backburner and this essential application of scripting gets relegated to a small appendix section at the end. I'd have been much happier had the focus been more on the everyday tasks of scripting and with a little more challenge and incentive to write the code by myself. Granted, I might have an issue with this but the title does say "for the absolute beginner" so take this complaint with a grain of salt. I still learned a lot from the book and I'm sure I'll be reviewing it now and then in the future to refresh myself.

Note: The book was written in 2003 so keep in mind that some of the object model/WSH stuff might need to be researched and updated in certain scripts for the desired outcome since there have been multiple new iterations of the Windows OS since the publication of this book.

[Jason Emmerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the assistance of this book I was able to go from knowing nothing about VBScript to being decent at it within a couple of weeks (Note: I am familiar with other scripting languages, so that probably helped). There are some sections where things aren't always clear, but I was able to figure it out after re-reading the chapter.

[Topilno]

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