Comparing Understanding of Programming Design Concepts Using Visual Basic and Traditional Basic

Abstract

This article addresses the question of whether an introductory programming course can be taught using a Visual Language (Visual Basic) without compromising students' understanding of programming design concepts. One group of students took an introductory programming course using a text-based programming language (Qbasic) and a second group took the same course using a visual programming language (Visual Basic). At the end of the semester the two groups were compared on their understanding of the programming design concepts of sequence, selection, iteration, variables, and arrays. Based on this study with eighty-nine students, Visual Basic students master the programming design concepts at least as well as traditional BASIC students and in some cases better. Visual Basic appears to be an excellent choice for a first programming course.