What ready materials should I buy?

[Mc2]

I was just wondering what bood I should get to help me learn VB for writing script. I have downloaded the Macro pdf however this is reference material and not for a proressive way of learning the language.

thanks, Jim.

[Tweakie.CNC]

Hi Jim,

For a long time now I have worked on the principal that 'if you don't need to know it don't waste time learning it'. This has resulted in a 'hands on' approach of only learning stuff as I need it.
For what it's worth, my advice is, choose a project that you wish to achieve - jump in with both feet and write the VB, looking up what you need to know when you need to know it.
There are so many Mach specific routines that you won't find in any structured VB learning course which is why I recommend the practical experience approach. All the information on VB that you require is linked somewhere on this forum and if you can't find it just as the question and someone will point you in the right direction.

Sorry for rambling on a bit but I hope this helps.

Tweakie.

[Mc2]

I know what you mean about jumping in. I do understand the script that I have seen as I know basic programming anyways. I would like to start from scratch with VB. I have looked through the Macro programming manual and found it lacking for someone who is just starting out. Don't get me wrong it is a great reference manual. I need something for the basic information Dim states, math, loops, and other variables. By the way, I usually get ideas while I am learning not the other way around. I tend to apply what information I already know is possible. I want to know those small items that make writing the code easier.
I have learned this way for years and end up comming up with better ways of writing code.
Jim.

[ger21]

My programming knowledge was acquired the same as Tweakie's. I learn as I need to.

As it relates to Mach3, it's very easy, as you just need to ask here, if you get stuck.

As far as writing better code, post your code and ask people to look it over.

My suggestion is to load some of the wizards and look at the code they use. You can typically see the code by choosing Operator>Edit button Script and selecting the button that created the g-code.

The only thing that would give you what you're looking for would be a generic vb script book. But, imo, you'd spend a lot of time learning stuff you didn't need, as Tweakie said.