VBScript Programmer's Reference, Third Edition

Chapter 1. A Quick Introduction to Programming

A chapter covering the basics of VBScript is the best place to begin this book. This is because of the type of language VBScript is and the kind of users the authors see turning to it. In this chapter, you get a crash course in programming basics. You might not need this chapter because you've come to VBScript with programming skills from another language (Visual Basic, Visual Basic .NET, C, C++, Delphi, C#) and are already both familiar with and comfortable using programming terminology. In that case, feel free to skip this chapter and move on to the next one. However, if you come from a non-programming background, then this chapter will give you the firm foundation you need to begin using VBScript confidently.

If you're still reading, chances are you fall into one of three distinct categories:

• You're a Network/Systems administrator who probably wants to use VBScript and the Windows Script Host or PowerShell to write logon scripts or to automate administration tasks.

• You might be a web designer who feels the need to branch out and increase your skill set, perhaps in order to do some ASP work.

• You're interested in programming (possibly Visual Basic or Visual Basic .NET) and want to check it out before getting too deeply involved.

Programming is a massive subject. Over the years countless volumes have been written about it, both in print and on the Internet. In this chapter, in a single paragraph, we might end up introducing several unfamiliar ...