Based on the author's extensive experience with Visual Basic, this text compiles dozens of hints for programming more effectively. The most important suggestions have to do with naming and coding style. The author recommends using "Hungarian Notation," in which prefixes are used with variable names to describe the scope and data type of all variables. Tables and sample code show you how to get going here. There are many suggestions for writing more maintainable code. A chapter on writing effective comments is a standout. Throughout this book, the author provides examples and "incorrect" and "correct" code practices. (This edition makes good use of two-colour presentation and highlighted text to show off key concepts effectively.) A final section looks at the importance of source version control with Microsoft Visual SourceSafe.

While more expert programmers may quibble with some of the author's preferences here, there's much to mine in Practical Standards for Microsoft Visual Basic. Whether or not your shop adopts all of these suggestions, there's little doubt that any VB programmer can benefit from this compilation of some excellent ideas for writing better code. --Richard Dragan, amazon.com

Topics covered: Problems with Visual Basic code today, advantages of coding standards, using custom object and project templates, effective module design (cohesion, fan-in and fan-out), naming conventions and the Hungarian Notation, creating descriptive names, constants vs. magic numbers, enumerations, error handling tips and techniques, indenting code, using white space, guide to writing effective comments, end-of-line comments, flow control statements, user interface design hints, form and menu design, consistency, using system colours, user input, mouse and keyboard interaction, version control, using readme files, and installing and using Microsoft Visual SourceSafe.