Visual Basic provides an excellent introduction to Windows programming, particularly for beginners. The 'Integrated Development Environment' allows you to create fully-fledged Windows applications with the minimum of effort and time. Instructions and programs contained within this book cover mainly version 5.0 of Visual Basic, with the differences between version 5.0 and version 4.0, where appropriate, noted. This book is aimed at those of you who are new to programming, or new to Visual Basic. No previous programming experience is necessary, though familiarity with the use of Windows is assumed. Visual Basic is a substantial programming language and, in a book of this size, it is only possible to give a brief introduction. However, the information given in this Made Simple book is enough to start you on some interesting projects and to show what may be achieved with practice. It contains easy to follow visual practicals.