
Beginning Visual J# Express

(Trial Version)

© KIDware (206) 721-2556



Course Description:

Beginning Visual J# Express is an interactive, self-paced tutorial providing a complete introduction to the Visual J# Express programming language and environment.  The tutorial consists of 10 lessons explaining (in simple, easy-to-follow terms) how to build a Visual J# Express application.  Numerous examples are used to demonstrate every step in the building process. The tutorial also includes detailed computer projects for you to build and try.  Beginning Visual J# Express is presented using a combination of course notes (written in Microsoft Word format) and many Visual J# Express examples and projects.

And, according to the folks at Microsoft, Visual J# Express is compatible with most existing curricula designed to teach computer science concepts with the Java language.  It also supports 100 percent of the AP (Advanced Placement) Computer Science curriculum.


Course Prerequisites:

To use Beginning Visual J# Express, you should be comfortable working within the Windows environment, knowing how to find files, move windows, resize windows, etc.  No programming experience is needed.  The course material should be understandable to kids aged 10 and up.  You will also need the ability to view and print documents saved in Microsoft Word format.  This can be accomplished in one of two ways.  The first, and easiest, is that you already have Microsoft Word (or a compatible equivalent) on your computer.  The second way is that you can download the Microsoft Word Viewer.  This is a free Microsoft product that allows viewing and printing Word documents - it is available for download at all the major shareware internet sites and from our website.

Finally, and most obvious, you need to have Microsoft Visual J# Express.  This is a separate product that must be obtained.  At this writing, the ‘Beta 2’ version is available for free download from Microsoft.  Follow this link for complete instructions for downloading and installing Visual J# Express on your computer:

http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/express/vjsharp/default.aspx

You should download and install both Visual J# Express and the MSDN Library (has all the help files).  Please note these are very large files.  If you don’t want to download the files, the website above also has instructions for obtaining a CD copy at a nominal cost.


Installing Beginning Visual J# Express:

The course notes and code for Beginning Visual J# Express are included in one or more ZIP files.  Use your favorite ‘unzipping’ application to write all files to your computer.  (If you’ve received the course on CD-ROM, the files are not zipped and no unzipping is needed.)  The course is included in the folder entitled BeginVJSE.  This folder contains two other folders:  BVJSE Notes and BVJSE Projects.

The BVJSE Notes folder includes all the notes needed for the class.  Each file in this folder has a DOC extension and is in Microsoft Word format.  The files are:

StartHere.doc	This file in Word format
Contents.doc	Course Table of Contents
Class1.doc	Class 1. Introducing Visual J# Express
Class2.doc	Class 2. The Visual J# Express Environment
Class3.doc	Class 3. Your First Visual J# Express Project
Class4.doc	Class 4. Project Design, Forms, Command Buttons
Class5.doc	Class 5. Labels, Text Boxes, Variables
Class6.doc*	Class 6. UpDown Controls, Decisions, Random Numbers
Class7.doc*	Class 7. Icons, Group Boxes, Check Boxes, Radio Buttons
Class8.doc*	Class 8. Panels, Mouse Events, Colors
Class9.doc*	Class 9. Picture Boxes, Arrays
Class10.doc*	Class 10. Timers, Animation, Keyboard Events
Projects.doc*	Additional Projects

(Files marked with asterisk (*) not included with trial version.)  The BVJSE Projects folder includes all the Visual J# Express projects developed during the course.



How To Take the Course:

Beginning Visual J# Express is a self-paced course.  The suggested approach is to do one class a week for ten weeks.  Each week’s class should require about 3 to 6 hours of your time to grasp the concepts completely.  Prior to doing a particular week’s work, open the class notes file for that week and print it out.  Then, work through the notes at your own pace.  Try to do each example as they are encountered in the notes.  Work through the projects in Classes 3 through 10 (and the Bonus class).  If you need any help, all completed projects are included in the VJSEK Projects folder.  


What If You Have Questions?

It is recognized there may be times when you need clarification on some point about the notes, examples, or Visual J# Express.  We will gladly help.  The preferred method of relaying your questions to us is via E-Mail.  The E-Mail address is:

support@kidwaresoftware.com

Please include a clearly defined subject for all questions to get past our anti-spamming filters.  All questions should be sent to the attention of Lou.



Who Produces Beginning Visual J# Express?

This course has been developed and written by Lou Tylee, a principal partner in KIDware, a producer of quality children’s educational programs since 1982.  The course notes have evolved based on Lou’s experience in writing children’s software and in teaching a similar course at the university level for over eight years.  
       
Lou has been programming computers since 1969 when he took his first FORTRAN course in college (yes, Lou is getting old!).  He has written software to control suspensions for high speed ground vehicles, monitor nuclear power plants, lower noise levels in commercial jetliners, compute takeoff speeds for jetliners, locate and identify air and ground traffic and to let kids count bunnies, learn how to spell and do math problems.  His wide breadth of practical experience is demonstrated in Beginning Visual J# Express.  He has been praised for his clear, reassuring teaching style.  Thousands of people have learned to program using similar notes written by Lou.

During all his programming and writing efforts, Lou is accompanied by Clara, the KIDware dog.  She is always under Lou’s desk directing his every keystroke.  She is a primary contributor to this product.
       
       

Trial Version of Beginning Visual J# Express

This trial version of Beginning Visual J# Express gives you the first five chapters of the course for free.  This allows you to evaluate the course and see if it meets your needs.  The complete course (just $19.95) includes 10 chapters, many additional projects and code for all examples.  See the Table of Contents for a description of what topics the entire course covers.  Purchase information can be found at our website:
       
       http://www.kidwaresoftware.com

At the website, you can purchase the course and download it to your computer in minutes.  Or, if preferred, you can place an on-line order to receive the course on CD-ROM or via E-mailed files.  And, lastly, we accept mail, FAX and phone orders.


Contacting KIDware

By Mail:
KIDware
PO Box 28234
Seattle, WA 98118

By Phone:
(206) 721-2556
By FAX:
(206) 260-9187

By E-Mail:
support@kidwaresoftware.com

Our Web Site:
http://www.kidwaresoftware.com



