Features
- Cover Type: Paperback with 520 pages
- Published by: Course Technology PTR
- Edition: 2nd Edition February 18, 2005
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 1592007317
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-1592007318
-
Book Dimensions:
9 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
- Weighs: 2.2 pounds
Product Description
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.
About The Author
Jerry Lee Ford, Jr. is an author, educator, and IT professional with more than 17 years of experience in information technology, including roles as an automation analyst, technical manager, technical support analyst, automation engineer, security analyst, and instructor. He is the author of 16 books and co-author of 2 additional books. His published works include
Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition Programming for the Absolute Beginner, VBScript Professional Projects, Learn VBScript in a Weekend,
Microsoft Windows Shell Scripting for the Absolute Beginner, and Learn JavaScript in a Weekend.
Reader ReviewsThe core concept of teaching Windows Script Host (WSH) and VBScript through the creation of simple games is solid. But the execution is awful. Ultimately you should know both WSH and VBScript to be an effective scripter. But author Ford takes you on a tour of the WSH object model before he actually introduces VBScript. He lays out table after table of WSH objects, methods and properties without any real explanation, just the caveat that you'll learn more later. Great technique: confuse the student first, explain later. The early example scripts are direct lifts from the Microsoft TechNet Script Center. Worse yet, Ford makes mistakes in his description of the WSH objects - and there is no errata on the web site. Ford spends 62 confusing to the beginner pages on WSH before he gets to VBScript basics. This makes no sense to me. What makes this section entirely laughable, however, is that at its end, Ford "challenges" the reader to make modifications to the sample programs. He has explained absolutely nothing that would assist the neophyte scripter in making these changes. In fact, Ford has said precious little about any WSH specifics. When Ford finally reaches "VBScript basics" he immediately repeats the mistakes of his WSH chapter: 124 tables listing VBScript objects, methods, properties and other information are introduced . . . without detailed explanation. Ford essentially describes his sample scripts in the manner of "Line 1 says . . ." and then repeats, verbatim, Line 1 without necessarily explaining just what Line 1 does. Finally Ford should have taken more care to separate his instructions each of the technologies. Literally by combining WSH and VBScript "for the absolute beginner," he is putting far too much on the plate of said beginner - and Ford is not capable of keeping things simple, much less explaining them. This is defintitely not a book I would recommend for a beginner. And since it never attempts going significantly beyond the most basic concepts, it isn't suitable for more experienced scripters or programmers either. Frankly I wish I had gotten into the book much earlier when I could still have returned it. My copy is headed toward a rummage sale somewhere. Obviously my impression of Thomson Course Technology's "for the absolute beginner" is negative and I won't be considering any others in the series. Jerry
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