Books for Visio Developers

[Roger]

Given the considerable amount of new developer functions added since Visio
2002, it seems odd that Microsoft hasn't updated the "Developing Visio
Solutions" book. All the way through Visio versions 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 2000 and
2002 a "Developing Visio Solutions" book was released almost at the same time
as the software.

For Visio 2000, 2002 and 2003 we had Graham Wideman's excellent "Developer's
Survival Pack" books but, unfortunately, there's no sign of an update for
Visio 2007.

None of the forthcoming books mentioned on Amazon, etc seem to be aimed at
filling this niche. The only Visio 2007 programming book planned is a “Step
by Step†book by Dave Edson which I guess will be limited to the more basic
aspects.

While the market for programming books is said to have declined
significantly in recent years, I've actually been buying more books in an
attempt to get to grips with .NET, VSTO and the associated new technologies.
On-line help systems are great for reference material but, when trying to
learn and understand new techniques and principles I find the printed page is
much better. I guess the idea is that we should now print-out articles
downloaded from the web, which is OK but I think a well structured book would
still be a valuable asset.
Best regards
Roger Billsdon

 

[Paul Herber]

Given the considerable amount of new developer functions added since Visio
2002, it seems odd that Microsoft hasn't updated the "Developing Visio
Solutions" book. All the way through Visio versions 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 2000 and
2002 a "Developing Visio Solutions" book was released almost at the same time
as the software.

soon ...

http://www.visualizinginformation.com/

 

[Al Edlund]

It's kept on-line at

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa217846(office.10).aspx

al

 

[Al Edlund]

Roger,
The sdk's have some good examples on some of what you are mentioning.
Different versions of the sdk based on the applicable visio. VSTO 2005 SE is
still up in the air. Support for drawing controls is also a mixed bag (c#
yes, vb no, .net 2.0 non existent, don't ask for ASP-although some starter
examples out on the web, CE not even being discussed as far as I know)
Rumor has it that they are working on extending the sdk;.
al

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

Trust you to plug a UK book. ;-) I'll tell David P that he owes you a free
cofee for the advertisement.

David Edson of "Professional Development with Visio 2000" fame is working on
a new developers book, but I have not heard any details about the book.

As far as I known, Graham is only thinking about doing an update to his book
for 2007.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

I missed the 2007 reference to David Edson. I'm so use to seeing references
to his 2000 book.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

David Parker's book is all about programming Visio with the new data graphic
and pivot diagram features.

Graham's book, David Edson's old 2000 book and DVS (in whatever form you
find it) are still good references for getting starting in programming
Visio. MSDN highlights the newer features, but there has yet to be written a
good book on VSTO and Visio because Visio has just been added to the VSTO
family with version 3.

John... Visio MVP

PS: For the new comers, DVS aka Developing Visio Shapes, Developing Visio
Solutions and Developing Microsoft Visio Solutions is the classic
documentation that came with Visio as a book, as a PDF, as a book that was
bought seperately and online as part of MSDN. It gives a very good
explanation on how to create shapes and program Visio. Graham's book goes
into far more detail, so we occassionaly refer to DVS as Da Very Start.

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm

 

[David Parker]

Thx John, as you know every chapter has some sample code it...
The book will be out in the spring.

 

[ProfessorSax]

I purchased Graham Wideman's book, and have tried numerous times to access
the accompanying code samples and add-ons, using his website's required form
to obtain an account. However, I never have received the email that is
supposed to be mailed back to me to set up the account. I don't know whether
the site has some problem in sending email, or if Mr. Wideman is no longer
maintaining the site or has been ill.

Has anyone any news or experience that could help solve this predicament?