Programming

I took a computer programming class back in High School. The class was Visual BASIC 1 & 2. I had the option to go on to learning to program in C++ but I didn't because I had to fill my class load, but I often wonder what it would have been like. If there's anyone who has taken time to learn the language, I'd be very interested to hear its similarities to Visual BASIC.

One of the programs we had to do was to program a point and click version of Simon. Of course, Simon is the electronic game where you have to memorize a series of lights and repeat it. The program was relatively easy to set up. There were already controls provided to us to make the panels light up, and it didn't have to look exactly like the real thing. The actual protocol of the program was where it became difficult. I got it to spit out a random series of lights. I even got it so that it knew what you were clicking and tell you when you lost. The part I had trouble with was getting it to turn the "lights" off. In the 2 weeks we had to complete the program, I never actually got a working version of the game.

The interesting, and much more entertaining facet of the Visual BASIC language is that once I learned the basics of the language, I could make my own programs in my free time. It would be nice to have the toolkit so I could make some programs for myself, but I don't really feel compelled to run out and spend the amount of money that would take. I feel that the classes were a very beneficial experience for me, and I am considering looking into taking elective classes on the subject while here at Eastern. If anyone has taken these classes, again, I invite you to share your experience with me so I can make a decision based on it. Thank you for reading

-Cameron Wright