perl

More often than not, your first encounter with VBScript will be when trying to edit an ASP script to upload to your site. For this reason, VBScript is closely associated with Active Server Pages and is one of the reasons why I often recommend that VBScript in a Nutshell and ASP in a Nutshell should sit next to each other on any ASP developers bookshelf!

VBScript is one of the most friendly internet scripting languages around for anyone that is completely new to the programming scene. Having said that, if you are like me and like to have reference books to hand then you can't go wrong with this one.

VBScript in a Nutshell covers all the basics of the language, including structure, data types and error handling. The actual reference section takes up more than half the book, and lists tips and gotchas as well as examples when they are needed.

There are times when I've confused this book with ASP in a Nutshell, as it also covers some of the objects I have learned to associate with ASP rather than the Windows Scripting Host. You will find that references to the FileSystemObject and Dictionary objects overlap in both books, but it is necessary to have this overlap for those that own either one or the other.

Covers EVERYTHING. Scripting techniques, error handling, differences between VB, VBA and VBScript, Structuring your program for reuse, etc. It gives a quick, down and dirty, high-level overview of the places you're most likely to use VBScript -- ASP, IE, Outlook and Windows Shell Scripts (wsh) -- and an incredible reference to nearly every VBScript function, procedure and call.

This book is not for the beginner looking to learn the language -- it's for the intermediate or advanced scripter who already knows a little but needs a reference to know HOW to use the functions, etc. It excels in this regard, not only explaining every command and option under VBScript, but also the syntax, parameters, rules and even 'Programming Tips & Gotchas'.

In short, if you need a true reference that documents nearly every facet of the VBScript language, this is a must have.

I was looking for a VBScript book to help me get started. This is not that book. There is nothing about what software must reside on your computer, no instructions about how to get started and there are no correctly written working examples anywhere in the book. In other words, nothing a beginner needs. I guess I should have bought a "dummies" book...