CICS 313:

Visual Basic Programming

Control Structures I
Ghana Technology University College
Lecturer – Dr. Forgor Lempogo
2021
 Objectives
 At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
Make decisions using If…Then statements
Make decisions using If…Then…Else statements
Make decisions using nested If statements
Make decisions using Case statements
Use the GroupBox object
Use RadioButton objects in applications
Use message boxes to display dialogue

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 Control Structures

Visual Basic provides control structures that

serve to specify what has to be done by our
program, when and under which
circumstances.

Control Structures are usually made up of

compound-statement or block.

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Basic Program Control Structure

The Sequential Structure

The Selection Structure

The Repetition Structure

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The Sequential Structure
The sequential structure is the most basic
structure in computer programming, and the
basis of instruction sequences

Unless told otherwise, the processor

executes the next instruction in the
instruction sequence.

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The Selection Structure
 Selection structure (or decision structure):
Used to select a path to take based on the outcome of a
decision or comparison

 Condition:
The decision to be made
Results in a Boolean (True or False) answer

 Four forms of selection structure:

If ... Then…End If
If …Then…Else….End If
If …Then…ElseIf….Else … End If
Case
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If Structure

An If block allows a program to decide on

a course of action based on whether
certain conditions are true or false.

Each action consists of one or more Visual

Basic statements.

After an action is taken, execution

continues with the line after the If block.
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Single If Structure
The general format of the If statement:

If <condition> Then
(condition is true - do all of the actions
coded in this branch)
End If

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Single If Statement - Example

If totalAmount < 1000 Then

discount = 0.05 * totalAmount

paidAmount = totalAmount – discount

massageLabel.Text = CStr(paidAmount)

End If

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The If – Else Structure
The general format is:

If <condition> Then
(condition is true - do all of the actions
coded in this branch)
Else
(condition is false - do all of the actions
coded in this branch)
End If

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If Statement with Else Branch
If totalAmount < 1000 Then

discount = 0.05 * totalAmount

Else

discount = 0.1 * totalAmount

End If

paidAmount = totalAmount – discount

massageLabel.Text = CStr(paidAmount)
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The If – ElseIf Structure
 The general format of the Block If-ElseIf statement:

If <condition1> Then
(condition1 is true - do all of the actions
coded in this branch)
ElseIf <condition2> Then
(condition1 is false, condition2 is true - do
all of the actions coded in this branch)
Else
(condition1 is false, condition2 is false - do all
of the actions coded in this branch)
End If
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The If – ElseIf Structure – Example 1
If totalAmount < 1000 Then

discount = 0.05 * totalAmount

ElseIf totalAmount = 1000 Then

discount = 0.1 * totalAmount

Else

discount = 0.15* totalAmount

End If

paidAmount = totalAmount – discount

massageLabel.Text = CStr(paidAmount)
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The If – ElseIf Structure – Example 2
Dim number, digits As Integer
Dim myString As String
number = 53
If number < 10 Then
digits = 1
ElseIf number < 100 Then
digits = 2
Else
digits = 3
End If

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The If – Else Structure --- Rules
 If block must always end with an End If statement.

 The key word Then must appear on the same line as

the word If.

 The key words Else and End If must appear on lines

by themselves.

 The Else branch is optional . Only use an Else

statement if there is a False branch.

 Visual Basic automatically indents 4 spaces inside the

True and False branches to make the statement easier
to read.
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Block If Example

The following program requests the costs

and revenue for a company and displays the
message:

"Break even" if the costs and revenue are

equal;

otherwise, it displays the profit or loss.

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Block If Example
Control Property Setting
Form Name frmStatus
Text Profit/Loss
Label 1 Name lblCosts
Text Costs:
label 2 Name lblRev
Text Revenue:
textbox1 name txtCosts
Textbox2 Name txtRev
Textbox3 Name txtResult
ReadOnly True
Button 1 Text Show Financial Status

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Block If Example
Dim costs, revenue, profit, loss As Double
costs = CDbl (txtCosts.Text)
revenue = CDbl (txtRev.Text)
If costs = revenue Then
txtResult.Text = "Break even"
ElseIf costs < revenue Then
profit = revenue - costs
txtResult.Text = "Profit is " & FormatCurrency(profit)
Else
loss = costs - revenue
txtResult.Text = "Loss is " & FormatCurrency(loss)

End If
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Data Type Identification

 VB has in built functions that identify data types.

 Used to validate user input data.

 Include the following:

IsNumeric(expression)

IsDate(expression)

IsArray(variable)

IsDBNull(expression)

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IsNumeric(expression) Function
 This function returns True if expression is a valid
number.
 Used to check the validity of strings containing
numeric data as follows:

age = InputBox(“Please enter your age”)

If Not IsNumeric(age) Then
MessageBox.Show(“Please try again, this time with a valid number”)
End If

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IsDate(expression) Function
 This function returns True if expression is a valid date.

 Used to validate dates.

BDate = InputBox(“Please enter your birth date”)

If IsDate(BDate) Then
MsgBox (“Date accepted”)
Else
MsgBox (“Please Enter a Valid Date”)
End If

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IsArray(variable) Function
This function returns True if its argument is an

array.
If the variable names has been defined as

Dim names(100)
IsArray(names)

The above statements will returns True.

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Logical Operators

AND

OR

NOT

OrElse

AndAlso

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AndAlso Operator

A short-circuit of the And operator.

If the first condition is False, the compound

condition is treated as False and the
second condition is not evaluated.

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 OrElse Operator

A short-circuit of the Or operator.

If the first condition is True, the compound

condition is treated as True and the second
condition is not evaluated.

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 Using Logical Operators in an
If…Then…Else Statement

Data validation:
Process of verifying that the input
data is within the expected range

Use an If…Then…Else statement to

validate input data

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 Input Data Validation
Example business rules include:
Missing Data Test
data values cannot be missing – this means a
TextBox control cannot be empty.
Numeric Data Test
numeric values must be tested to ensure they
are numeric.
Reasonableness Test
values (usually numeric) must fall within a
specified reasonable range.
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Using the ANDAlso Operator - Example 1
'Calculate and display a gross pay

Dim hoursWorked As Double

Dim grossPay As Double

Double.TryParse(hoursTextBox.Text, hoursWorked)

If hoursWorked >= 0.0 AndAlso hoursWorked <= 40.0 Then

grossPay = hoursWorked * 10.65
grossLabel.Text=grossPay.ToString("C2")
Else

grossLabel.Text = "Error"

End If
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Using the OrElse Operator - Example 2
'Calculate and display a gross pay

Dim hoursWorked As Double

Dim grossPay As Double

Double.TryParse(hoursTextBox.Text, hoursWorked)

If hoursWorked < 0.0 OrElse hoursWorked > 40.0 Then

grossLabel.Text = "Error"
Else
grossPay = hoursWorked * 10.65
grossLabel.Text=grossPay.ToString("C2")
End If
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Nested Selection Structures
Nested selection structure:
a selection structure that is completely contained within
another selection structure

Primary decision:
decision made by the outer selection structure

Secondary decision:
decision made by the inner selection structure

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Using the OrElse Operator - Example 2
Const VoteMsg As String = "You can vote."
Const RegisterMsg As String = "You need to register before you can vote."
Const TooYoungMsg As string = "You are too young to Vote."
Dim Age as Integer
Dim registered As String = String.Empty
Integer.TryParse(ageTextBox.Text, age)
registered = registeredTextBox.Text.ToUpper
If age >= 18 Then
if registered = "Y" Then
messageLabel.Text = VoteMsg
Else
messageLabel.Text = RegisterMsg
End If
Else
messageLabel.Text = TooYoungMsg
End If
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 The Case Selection Structure

Case selection structure:

Used when there are many paths from
which to choose

Simpler and clearer than using If/ElseIf/Else

Select Case choices are determined by the

value of an expression called a selector.
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The Case Selection Structure (2)
Case selection structure evaluates an expression
to determine which path to take

Uses the Select Case statement:

Begins with Select Case

Ends with End Select

Has one Case clause for each possible value

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 Select Case Blocks
Each of the possible actions is preceded by a
clause of the form:

Case valueList

where valueList itemizes the values of the

selector for which the action should be taken

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 Select Case Blocks
Select Case Selector
Case <selector1>
statements
Case <selector2>
statements
Case <selector …..>
statements…
Case Else
statements…
End Select
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 Select Case Blocks
The selector can be
A constant
1,2,3, a, b, c etc.
Case 1

A range
Case 1 To 3
Case Is >= 4

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 Specifying a Range of Values
in an Expression List
To and Is keywords: specify a range of values in
a Case clause’s expression list

To:
When you know both the upper and lower
bounds of the range

Is:
When you know only one end of the range
Used with a comparison operator
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 Select Case Blocks
Dim numberOrdered As Integer
Dim ItemPrice As Integer
Integer.TryParse(txtOrder.Text, numberOrdered)
Select Case numberOrdered
Case 1 To 5
itemPrice = 25
Case 1 To 10
itemPrice = 23
Case Is > 10
itemPrice = 20
Case Else
itemPrice = 0
End Select
39 txtResult.Text= itemPrice.ToString("C2")
CICS 313: Visual Basic Programming - GTUC 2021 Delivery
 Select Case Blocks - Example
The following program converts the finishing position
in the Accra Milo Marathon into a descriptive phrase.

After the variable position is assigned a value from

txtPosition, Visual Basic searches for the first Case
clause whose value list contains that value and
executes the succeeding statement.

If the value of position is greater than 5, then the

statement following Case Else is executed.

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 Select Case Blocks - Example
Control Property Setting
Form Name frmRace
Text Accra Milo Marathon
Label Name lblPosition
AutoSize False
Text Finishing position (1, 2, 3,...):

textbox1 name txtPosition

Textbox2 ReadOnly True
Name txtOutcome
Button 1 Text Evaluate Position

Name btnEvaluate
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 Select Case Blocks - Example
Dim position As Integer
Integer.Tryparse(txtPosition.Text, position)
Select Case position
Case 1
txtOutcome.Text = “Money in a Big Bag"
Case 2
txtOutcome.Text = “Money in a Small Bag"
Case 3
txtOutcome.Text = “Money in a very tiny Bag "
Case 4, 5
txtOutcome.Text = " Some Milo for breakfast."
Case Else
txtOutcome.Text = “Stories for your grand children."
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End Select
CICS 313: Visual Basic Programming - GTUC 2021 Delivery
Using Radio Buttons
RadioButton control:
Allows the user to select only one of a group of
two or more choices
RadioButton choices are related but mutually
exclusive; only one can be selected

Container control:
Isolates a group of radio buttons
Includes GroupBox, Panel, and TableLayout
controls

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Using Radio Buttons (2)

Togo
Nigeria
Benin
Burkina Faso

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Using Radio Buttons (3)
 Minimum number of radio buttons in a group is two
Must select a radio button to deselect another

 Recommended maximum number in a group: seven

 Windows standard is to set one as the default radio

button
Shows as selected when the screen appears
Should be the most likely selection or the first radio
button in the group

 Set the Checked property to True to make it the default

radio button

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 If Block - Example
Dim shipCharge As Integer
If togoRadioButton.Checked Then
shipCharge = 20
ElseIf nigeriaRadioButton.Checked Then
shipCharge = 35
ElseIf beninRadioButton.Checked Then
shipCharge = 30
Else
shipCharge = 28
End If
If overnightRadioButton.Checked Then
shipCharge = shipCharge + 10
End If
46 resultsTextBox.Text = shipCharge.ToString(“C2”)
CICS 313: Visual Basic Programming - GTUC 2021 Delivery
Select Case Blocks - Example
Dim shipCharge As Integer
Select Case True
Case togoRadioButton.Checked
shipCharge = 20
Case nigeriaRadioButton.Checked
shipCharge = 35
Case beninRadioButton.Checked
shipCharge = 30
Case Else
shipCharge = 28
End Select
If overnightRadioButton.Checked Then
shipCharge = shipCharge + 10
End If
47 txtResult.Text= shipCharge.ToSring("C2")
CICS 313: Visual Basic Programming - GTUC 2021 Delivery
 The MessageBox.Show Method
 MessageBox.Show method:
Displays a message box with text, one or more
buttons, and an icon

 When a message box is displayed, the program waits

until the user selects a button

 MessageBox.Show returns an integer value indicating

which button the user selected

 DialogResult values include:

Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Yes
Windows.Forms.DialogResult.No

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 The MessageBox.Show Method
The Syntax
MessageBox.Show(Text, Caption, Button, Icon, DefaultButton)

 The Argument
Text
Text to display in the message box
Use sentence capitalization

Caption
Text (usually the application's name) to display in
the title bar of the message box
use book title capitalization.
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 Buttons
Buttons to display in the message box.

Can be one of the following

MessageBoxButtons.AbortRetryIgnore
MessageBoxButtons.OK (Default setting)
MessageBoxButtons.OkCancel
MessageBoxButtons.RetryCancel
MessageBoxButtons.YesNo
MessageBoxButtons.YesNoCancel

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 Icon

 Icon to display in the message box

 One of the following

 MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation
 MessageBoxIcon.Information
 MessageBoxIcon.Question
 MessageBoxIcon.Stop

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Default Button
Button automatically selected when the user
presses enter.
Can be one of the following constants

MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button1
default setting
MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button2
MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button3

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The MessageBox.Show Method (2)
MessageBox.Show(“Delete this Record?”, “Payroll”, _
MessageBoxButtons.YesNo, _
MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation, _
MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button2)

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User Returned Values
 When a user select an option from a Message box, the message
box returns one of the following to the program:

 Windows.Forms.DialogResult.OK
 User chose the OK button
 Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Cancel
 User chose the CANCEL button
 Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Abort
 User chose the ABORT button
 Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Retry
 User chose the RETRY button
 Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Ignore
 User chose the IGNORE button
 Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Yes
 User chose the YES button
 Windows.Forms.DialogResult.No
 User chose the NO button

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Example 1
Dim Chosenbtn As DialogResult

Chosenbtn = MessageBox.Show("Delete this record?",_

"Payroll", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo,_
MessageBoxIcon.Exclamation,_
MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button2)

If Chosenbtn = Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Yes Then

Instructions to Delete the Record

End IF

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Example 1
Dim Chosenbtn As DialogResult

Chosenbtn = MessageBox.Show(“Do you want to exit?",_

“Class App", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo,_
MessageBoxIcon.Question,_
MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button2)

If Chosenbtn = Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Yes Then

Me.Close()

End IF

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Example 2
 To confirm the closing of a form, use the FormClosing
Event of the Form
 Every close event will need to be confirmed with a message
box as follows:
Dim Chosenbtn As DialogResult

Chosenbtn = MessageBox.Show(“Do you really wish to close this window?",_

“GTUC ProGress", MessageBoxButtons.YesNo, _
MessageBoxIcon.Question,_
MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button1)

If Chosenbtn = Windows.Forms.DialogResult.No Then

e.Cancel = True

End IF
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Example 3
Dim Chosenbtn As DialogResult

Chosenbtn = MessageBox.Show(“There was a problem with the Installation_

process. What should we do?", “GTUC ProGress",_
MessageBoxButtons.YesNo, MessageBoxIcon.Question,_
MessageBoxDefaultButton.Button1)

If Chosenbtn = Windows.Forms.DialogResult.No Then

Instructions for the abort process

ElseIf Chosenbtn = Windows.Forms.DialogResult.Retry then

Instructions for the initializing the installation process

Else
Instructions to continue the installation process

End IF
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 Any Questions?

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