Though it caters to new users, VBScript is mainly a reference book. Each piece of the core VBScript specification (plus the Dictionary and FileSystemObject objects that make up the Microsoft Scripting Runtime) is described in an alphabetized entry. For each statement, function, operator, and object, the book gives a quick description of the element's syntax, concise rules of its proper use, information on returned values (if any), and some examples of the language element used correctly in practice. Two additional sections on each language element will be valuable to novices and anyone stumped by errors: a "Rules at a Glance" section that documents correct usage, and a section called "Programming Tips & Gotchas" that highlights common mistakes. --David Wall

Topics covered: Core VBScript and the most important object models on which it operates, including Microsoft Internet Explorer and the Windows Scripting Host. Tutorial material and reference entries explain structure, syntax, and program design.

Product Description
Lightweight yet powerful, VBScript from Microsoft is used in four main areas: server-side web applications using Active Server Pages (ASP), client-side web scripts using Internet Explorer, code behind Outlook forms, and automating repetitive tasks using Windows Script Host (WSH). VBScript in a Nutshell, Second Edition delivers current and complete documentation for programmers and system administrators who want to develop effective scripts. Completely updated for VBScript 5.6, WSH 5.6 and ASP 3.0, VBScript In a Nutshell, Second Edition includes updated introductory chapters that will help you keep current with the significant changes since the first edition was published. New chapters introduce the Windows Script Component for creating binary COM components, and the Script Encoder. Regardless of your level of experience programming with VBScript, VBScript in a Nutshell, Second Edition is the book you'll want by your side--the most complete, up-to-date, and easy-to-use language reference available.

I needed a good VBScript reference book to consult when doing scripting projects for my company. The entire book isn't just a reference to the VBScript language-- that's only about half of the book. The reference is organized alphabetically and contains a description, rules and usually a decent example of the VBScript function, statement, method, etc.

So the surprise is the first half of the book, and it may be important to you and it may not. There are 20 pages on general program structure that most every programmer will find boring: pasing parameters by reference, passing variables into a subroutine, etc. After 8 more pages on data types and 22 pages on error handling/debugging, the authors included four other sections on VBScript with Active Server Pages, Programming Outlook forms, Windows Script Host, and VBScript with Internet Explorer. I found these sections to be out of the scope of what I was looking for in what O'Reilly calls a "desktop quick reference" book: simply a reference to the language.

I gave it four stars because the thing is only $( ) and you are getting 500 pages. I bought the book for the reference, even if it has this other stuff I don't care about. If you are programming VBScript or ASP in Notepad without "Help" to consult, this may be the best pure VBScript book out there. It will come in handy.


Great Reference   July 25, 2000
 22 out of 22 found this review helpful

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.


Mighty small nutshell   October 24, 2000
 15 out of 23 found this review helpful

I bought this book hoping to pick up the basics of writing VB script. I had previous experience writing scripts using kixtart and a little VBA, so I thought this book would help out. I found it to be poorly organized, filled with typos, and didn't even come close to describing the basics of VBScript. The author assumes the reader has at least an intermediate understanding of VB to start. Another huge omission was code samples. The book was filled with them but didn't come with a c.d. nor did the web page offer the samples for download. My learning style is hands on and without the scripts to actually test, the book was of little use for me. The one good point is that it does have a good reference section for the available functions in VB script. Definitely not a book for the pre-intermediate level VB coder.


best VBScript reference book available   June 24, 2000
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I have always favored O'Reilly reference books and this one is no exception. It is the only book I need for writing VBScript in Active Server Pages. Being a programmer who never programmed in VB before but wanted to learn ASP, I needed a complete, well-indexed guide to the language - THIS IS IT!


Ok Reference   July 29, 2000
 11 out of 19 found this review helpful

This is an Ok Reference and Just that.

PROS: (the very few there are) It list every function, subroutine, and Language construct in VBscripts with tips on how to use the command, and problems with the command. The information present is layout well.

CONS: This reference lacks versioning info on commands! Regular Expression where not introducted until 5.0!

The beginning sections are written like someone rambling on about VBscripts. This person is knowledgeable but completely ignors organization and structure leaving out important topics.

1. Syntax Rules (ie case-sensitive, how to define a script, identifier rules) 2. Variables, Types, Constants, and Expressions (maybe Scope) 3. Control Structures (If, While, For) 4. Functions, Subs, Classes, Events (Scope, pass by ref, parameters...) 5. Error handling 6. etc..

I know a lot of this is covered in the reference but it is nice to have it laid out logically. Also he is missing a list of reserved word (keywords). I am also aware that this is just a nutshell book but these sections could have been included in a very brief way.

These seam like large omissions to me.