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Many derivative languages also exist:
Visual Basic was designed to be usable by all programmerIn computing, a programmer is someone who does computer programming and develops computer software. A programmer can be one who develops and maintains software on a large mainframe system or one who develops software primarily for use on personal computers, whether novice or expert. Forms are created using drag and drop techniques. A tools pallet is used to place controls (e.g., text boxes, buttons, etc.) on the form (window). Controls have attributeAn attribute is the following: Generally, an attribute is an abstraction characteristic of an entity In database management, an attribute is a property inherent in an entity or associated with that entity for database purposes. In network management, an as and event handlers associated with them. Default values are provided when the control is created, but may be changed by the programmer. Many attribute values can be modified during run time based on user actions or changes in the environment, providing a dynamic application. For example, code can be inserted into the form resize event handler to reposition a control so that it remains centered on the form, expands to fill up the form, etc. By inserting code into the event handler for a keypress in a text box, the program can automatically translate the case of the text being entered, or even prevent certain characters from being inserted.
A Visual Basic application can consist of one or more windows, or a single window that contains child windows, as provided by the operating system. Dialog boxes with less functionality (e.g., no maximize/minimize control) can be used to provide pop-up capabilities. Controls provide the basic functionality of the application, while programmers can insert additional logic within the appropriate event handlers. For example, a drop-down combination box will automatically display its list and allow the user to select any element. An event handler is called when an item is selected, which can then execute additional code created by the programmer to perform some action based on which element was selected.
Alternatively, a Visual Basic component can have no user interface, but be available to other programs, providing objects that implement functionality. This allows for server-side processing or an add-in model.
The language is garbage collected, has a large library of utility objects, and has basic object oriented support. Unlike many other programming languages, Visual Basic is not case sensitive. String comparisons can be performed with case sensitivity, if so desired.
Visual Basic spawned the first commercially viable reusable component market. There are thousands of 3rd party components available today from hundreds of vendors. Visual Basic makes it easy to build, deploy, use, and reuse components, however it is not as easy to use forms created for one application with another, due to the global nature of the language.