8 Best-Selling VB6 Books Millions Love

Discover authoritative VB6 books by top experts including Dr. Liew Voon Kiong, Wallace Wang, and more, valued for practical, best-selling approaches.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love—especially in a niche like VB6 programming, which continues to power legacy applications worldwide. Despite newer frameworks, VB6 remains relevant for many developers maintaining or enhancing existing systems. These eight best-selling VB6 books have stood the test of time, offering proven value through clear explanations, solid examples, and practical guidance.

The authors behind these books bring decades of hands-on expertise and teaching experience. From Dr. Liew Voon Kiong's approachable beginner tutorials to Wallace Wang’s accessible Windows programming guide, each book provides a unique angle on mastering VB6 fundamentals and advanced features. Their authoritative voices shape a collection that’s both trustworthy and widely adopted.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific VB6 needs might consider creating a personalized VB6 book that combines these validated approaches with custom focus areas, accelerating your path to mastery.

Best for beginners building solid foundations
Dr. Liew Voon Kiong is a sought-after blockchain architect and researcher, known for advising multiple blockchain projects and authoring several technical books. His deep experience in software development and teaching shines through in this Visual Basic 6 tutorial, designed specifically to make programming approachable for beginners. Leveraging his methodical approach to complex topics, Dr. Liew provides a pathway for you to grasp VB6 fundamentals efficiently and confidently.
2006·435 pages·Visual Basic, VB6, Programming, Software Development, VB6 Programming

Drawing from his extensive technical background and blockchain expertise, Dr. Liew Voon Kiong crafted this guide to demystify Visual Basic 6 programming for beginners. You’ll find clear explanations of fundamental concepts, practical coding examples, and straightforward language that strips away jargon without oversimplifying. The book covers essential topics like form design, control properties, event-driven programming, and error handling, allowing you to build a solid foundation in VB6. If you’re embarking on your programming journey or need a refresher on VB6 fundamentals, this book offers a focused introduction tailored to accelerate your learning curve.

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Best for new Windows app developers
Wallace Wang, a columnist for Boardwatch and author of more than a dozen computer books, brings his talent for simplifying complex topics to Visual Basic 6 For Dummies. With teaching experience at community colleges and a knack for clear explanations, Wang's background makes this book a valuable starting point for anyone looking to build Windows applications using VB6. His diverse writing career, including work in magazines and game design, informs the approachable style that helps you navigate programming fundamentals and practical application development.
Visual Basic 6 For Dummies book cover

by Wallace Wang··You?

1998·512 pages·Visual Basic, VB6, Programming, Software Development, VB6 Programming

When Wallace Wang set out to write Visual Basic 6 For Dummies, he tapped into his extensive experience as a columnist and educator to demystify programming for Windows 95, 98, and NT environments. You’ll learn how to harness the object-oriented features of Visual Basic 6 to build user-friendly interfaces, manage menus and subprograms, and integrate ActiveX controls with practical examples. The book guides you through database interactions and debugging techniques, making complex concepts accessible even if you're new to programming. If you want a thorough yet approachable guide to start creating and distributing your own Windows applications, this book fits the bill, though seasoned VB6 developers might find it elementary.

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Best for personal coding mastery
This AI-created book on VB6 programming is crafted based on your experience level and areas of interest. By sharing your background and specific goals, you receive a tailored guide focusing on the advanced techniques and real-world applications that matter most to you. This personalized approach ensures you explore exactly the VB6 concepts and practices that align with your programming needs and ambitions.
2025·50-300 pages·VB6, VB6 Fundamentals, Object Oriented, COM Components, ActiveX Controls

This tailored book explores advanced Visual Basic 6 programming techniques designed to elevate your development skills for real-world applications. It delves deeply into practical coding practices, efficient debugging, and optimized use of VB6’s unique features, all matched to your background and goals. By focusing on your specific interests, this personalized guide reveals how to integrate classic VB6 approaches with your individual project needs, helping you navigate legacy systems with confidence and precision. You will examine complex concepts such as COM components, ActiveX control development, and multitier application design. This tailored resource is crafted to enrich your expertise by blending widely validated knowledge with insights uniquely suited to your programming journey.

Tailored Guide
Legacy System Expertise
3,000+ Books Generated
Best for deep language mechanics understanding
Steven Holzner is a renowned author and expert in programming languages, particularly Visual Basic. He has written numerous books that serve as essential resources for programmers, helping them navigate complex coding concepts with ease. His extensive background makes this book a trustworthy reference for anyone tackling the intricacies of Visual Basic 6 programming.
1998·400 pages·Visual Basic, VB6, Programming, Software Development, VB6 Core

Steven Holzner's decades of expertise in programming languages shine through in this guide, which drills into the nuts and bolts of Visual Basic 6. You get precise explanations about VB6’s core control structures, data types, and how to format data for interoperability with other languages. The book walks you through constructing common code patterns, from simple conditional statements to working with objects and ActiveX components, making it a solid reference if you're deep into VB6 coding. It suits developers seeking clarity on VB6's foundational mechanics rather than those wanting high-level conceptual overviews.

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Best for hands-on practical learners
Harvey M. Deitel is a respected programming author and educator whose career includes delivering courses to industry leaders like Cisco and NASA. His extensive experience in programming education shaped this book, designed to help you build practical skills in VB6 application development. Through his collaboration with Paul J. Deitel and T. R. Nieto, the book brings a wealth of knowledge to anyone eager to master Visual Basic 6 with real code and exercises.
Visual Basic 6 How to Program book cover

by Harvey M. Deitel, Paul J. Deitel, T. R. Nieto··You?

1998·1015 pages·VB6, Visual Basic, Programming, Software Development, Application Development

When Harvey M. Deitel teamed up with Paul J. Deitel and T. R. Nieto, they created a resource that goes beyond basic VB6 syntax to focus on building tangible applications. This book guides you through hundreds of live code examples accompanied by screen captures, so you see exactly how your code translates into visible output. You’ll tackle extensive exercises chapter by chapter, learning not only how to write code but how to think through common programming challenges. If you want to deepen your practical understanding of Visual Basic 6 with plenty of hands-on practice, this book offers a thorough path forward. It’s especially useful if you prefer learning by doing rather than just reading theory.

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Best for exam-focused VB6 professionals
Michael Lane Thomas, a highly certified Microsoft consultant and one of the top 30 Microsoft certified professionals worldwide, brings his deep expertise to this guide. His experience teaching 28 Microsoft Official Curriculum courses and holding seven certification titles uniquely positions him to help you master distributed application development with VB6 and succeed on the MCSD exam.
MCSD VB6 Distributed Exam Cram (Exam: 70-175) book cover

by Michael Lane Thomas, Dan Fox··You?

1999·398 pages·VB6, Software Development, Programming, Distributed Applications, COM Components

Michael Lane Thomas's extensive Microsoft certifications and teaching experience provide the foundation for this focused guide on building distributed applications using Visual Basic 6. Rather than a broad overview, the book zeroes in on preparing you for the MCSD exam #70-175 by covering everything from conceptual design through deployment and maintenance. You’ll get detailed insights into modular, multitier architecture, COM component management, and data services, plus a handy tear-out cram sheet for exam day. This book benefits developers aiming to validate their VB6 skills and those wanting a structured approach to distributed application development with Microsoft technologies.

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Best for daily skill acceleration
This AI-created book on VB6 programming is tailored to your skill level and interests, providing a focused 30-day learning plan that suits your goals. Instead of generic content, you get lessons designed around what matters most to you, whether you're new to VB6 or looking to sharpen specific skills. This personalized approach makes mastering VB6 more efficient and engaging by zeroing in on your unique background and desired outcomes.
2025·50-300 pages·VB6, VB6 Fundamentals, Event Driven Programming, User Interface, Database Access

This tailored book explores a focused 30-day journey into mastering Visual Basic 6, designed to match your background and interests. It covers foundational concepts such as VB6 syntax and event-driven programming while progressively introducing more advanced topics like ActiveX controls and database integration. Each day reveals targeted lessons that emphasize skill growth, enabling practical application through hands-on exercises that align with your specific goals. This personalized approach ensures you engage deeply with the material that matters most to you, accelerating your learning curve without overwhelming detours. By concentrating on your unique learning needs, the book fosters rapid, confident development in VB6 programming.

Tailored Guide
Focused Skill Growth
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for programming fundamentals seekers
Alka R. Harriger is a seasoned educator and author recognized for her focus on programming education, especially in Visual Basic. With a background in computer science and education, she has written several textbooks aiming to help students grasp programming fundamentals. This book reflects her commitment to equipping learners with essential skills through a problem-solving approach that transcends specific languages, making it a valuable resource for those starting their programming journey.
Introduction to Computer Programming with Visual Basic 6 book cover

by Alka R. Harriger, Susan K. Lisack··You?

1999·928 pages·Visual Basic, VB6, Programming, Software Development, VB6 Fundamentals

When Alka R. Harriger and Susan K. Lisack developed this book, they aimed to turn programming novices into confident developers by focusing on core problem-solving skills rather than just syntax or interface elements. You’ll learn a structured program development life cycle, starting from initial analysis through documentation, reinforced by case studies that make abstract concepts tangible. The chapters carefully build your understanding of fundamental programming principles like data types, loops, decisions, arrays, and even object-oriented programming within the VB6 environment. This approach benefits anyone new to programming who wants a solid foundation applicable to multiple languages, not just Visual Basic.

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Best for advanced enterprise developers
Noel Jerke is a recognized authority in Visual Basic programming, with extensive experience in software development and education. Drawing from his expertise, he crafted this book to be a definitive resource on VB6, covering everything from basic IDE usage to advanced topics like ActiveX and Internet programming. His background ensures the book offers practical insights tailored for developers aiming to excel with VB6 in enterprise environments.
1999·788 pages·Visual Basic, VB6, Software Development, VB6 Programming, ActiveX Controls

When Noel Jerke wrote this book, he drew on his deep expertise in Visual Basic programming to deliver a thorough guide to VB6's capabilities. You’ll learn everything from navigating the integrated development environment to mastering advanced topics like ActiveX controls, Win32 API programming, and N-tier client/server design. Chapters dedicated to Internet programming and database management highlight practical implementations of VB6 features like Dynamic HTML and the WebClass designer. This book suits developers looking to deepen their command of VB6 for building robust enterprise applications rather than beginners seeking a gentle introduction.

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Best for mastering VB6 advanced features
Francesco Balena is a well-known and highly regarded developer and author who has penned numerous Microsoft Press books on Visual Basic. As cofounder of Code Architects and a regional MSDN Italy director, his extensive experience with Microsoft technologies informs this comprehensive guide. His work reflects a commitment to helping developers harness VB6’s powerful features for professional-quality Windows applications.
1999·1312 pages·Visual Basic, VB6, Software Development, Programming, Object Oriented

What happens when a seasoned Microsoft Press author with deep expertise in Visual Basic writes for both novices and experienced programmers? Francesco Balena distills the complex object-oriented capabilities of Visual Basic 6.0 into practical, accessible lessons, covering everything from event handling and polymorphism to advanced Windows API techniques. You’ll find detailed chapters on creating rich user interfaces, mastering ActiveX controls, and building data-centric applications with ADO. This book suits developers aiming to enhance productivity with VB6’s full feature set, especially those building enterprise-level Windows applications who want a thorough technical guide without fluff.

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Conclusion

These eight VB6 books collectively emphasize practical programming skills, from foundational concepts to advanced enterprise application development. Their proven frameworks and widespread validation make them reliable companions for anyone serious about VB6.

If you prefer proven methods, start with Dr. Liew Voon Kiong’s "Visual Basic ® 6 Made Easy" for a solid foundation. For validated approaches to hands-on coding, combine it with Deitel's "Visual Basic 6 How to Program". Exam-focused readers will find Michael Lane Thomas’s "MCSD VB6 Distributed Exam Cram" invaluable.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized VB6 book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in mastering VB6.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which VB6 book should I start with?

Start with "Visual Basic ® 6 Made Easy" by Dr. Liew Voon Kiong. It offers clear, beginner-friendly guidance that lays a solid foundation before you explore more advanced topics.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to VB6?

Not at all. Books like "Visual Basic 6 For Dummies" and "Introduction to Computer Programming with Visual Basic 6" are designed for beginners and build concepts step-by-step.

What's the best order to read these VB6 books?

Begin with beginner-focused books to grasp fundamentals, then move to practical guides like Deitel's and advanced references like "Programming Microsoft® Visual Basic® 6.0" for deeper mastery.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your needs. For example, exam candidates may focus on "MCSD VB6 Distributed Exam Cram," while developers seeking broad skills might choose foundational plus hands-on books.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"Visual Basic 6 Core Language Little Black Book" dives into core language theory, while "Visual Basic 6 How to Program" emphasizes practical coding exercises and application building.

Can I get tailored VB6 learning without reading all these books?

Yes, while these books offer excellent insights, you can create a personalized VB6 book that combines validated methods with your specific goals for efficient, focused learning.

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