Visual Basic Calculator

Learn to create a calculator in VB6 and VB.NET with interactive examples

This tutorial demonstrates how to create a calculator application in both Visual Basic 6 and VB.NET. The calculator includes standard arithmetic operations, memory functions, and a clear display. The interface consists of number buttons, operator buttons, and additional functional buttons.

To design the interface in VB6, you need to insert 25 command buttons and one label that functions as the display panel. The number buttons from 1 to 9 are grouped together as a control array named ButtonNum, while 0 is a standalone command named Bzero.

Interactive Calculator Demo

Try out the calculator functionality directly in your browser. This interactive demo mimics the behavior of the VB6 calculator described in this tutorial.

VB6 Calculator Implementation

The most important procedure in the program is to display the number on the panel. To display the number, click on any number button and enter the following code:

Private Sub ButtonNum_Click(Index As Integer)
    If Num_of_digit > 0 Then
        If Num_of_digit < 30 Then
            panel.Caption = panel.Caption + Right$(Str(Index), 1)
            Num_of_digit = Num_of_digit + 1
        End If
    Else
        panel.Caption = Right$(Str(Index), 1)
        Num_of_digit = 1
    End If
    CheckValue
End Sub

The Num_of_digit variable checks the number of digits that appear on the display panel. The procedure ensures that if the number of digits is more than one, the preceding digit will be pushed to the left and the succeeding digit will remain on the right.

We introduce variables a,b,c,d,e,f to accept the value of the first number entered by the user and use the variable key to determine what arithmetic operation to perform when the Equal button is pressed.

Operator Button Code

Private Sub Operator_Click(Index As Integer)
    CheckValue
    If Index = 11 Then
        a = displayValue
        key = 1
    ElseIf Index = 12 Then
        b = displayValue
        key = 2
    ElseIf Index = 13 Then
        c = displayValue
        key = 3
    ElseIf Index = 14 Then
        d = displayValue
        key = 4
    ElseIf Index = 15 Then
        f = displayValue
        key = 5
    End If
    Num_of_digit = 0
    newNumber = True
End Sub

Equal Button Code

Private Sub Equal_Click()
    CheckValue
    If newNumber = True Then
        If key = 1 Then
            e = displayValue + a
        ElseIf key = 2 Then
            e = b - displayValue
        ElseIf key = 3 Then
            e = displayValue * c
        ElseIf key = 5 Then
            e = (f * displayValue) / 100
        ElseIf key = 4 And displayValue <> 0 Then
            e = d / displayValue
        Else
            GoTo error
        End If
        
        If Abs(e) < 1 Then
            panel.Caption = Format(e, "General Number")
        Else
            panel.Caption = Str(e)
        End If
    Else
        panel.Caption = displayValue
    End If
    GoTo finish
error:
    panel.Caption = "E"
finish:
    Num_of_digit = 0
    newNumber = False
End Sub

The VB6 Calculator Interface

VB.NET Calculator Implementation

Here's the equivalent calculator implementation in VB.NET. The code structure is similar but takes advantage of VB.NET's modern features.

VB.NET Code

Explanation

Public Class CalculatorForm
    Private firstOperand As Double
    Private secondOperand As Double
    Private [operator] As String
    Private newInput As Boolean = True

    Private Sub NumberButton_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) _
        Handles btn0.Click, btn1.Click, btn2.Click, btn3.Click, 
                btn4.Click, btn5.Click, btn6.Click, btn7.Click,
                btn8.Click, btn9.Click
        
        Dim btn As Button = CType(sender, Button)
        
        If newInput Then
            txtDisplay.Text = btn.Text
            newInput = False
        Else
            txtDisplay.Text += btn.Text
        End If
    End Sub

    Private Sub OperatorButton_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) _
        Handles btnAdd.Click, btnSubtract.Click, btnMultiply.Click, 
                btnDivide.Click, btnPercent.Click
        
        Dim btn As Button = CType(sender, Button)
        firstOperand = Double.Parse(txtDisplay.Text)
        [operator] = btn.Text
        newInput = True
    End Sub

    Private Sub btnEquals_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnEquals.Click
        If Not newInput Then
            secondOperand = Double.Parse(txtDisplay.Text)
            
            Select Case [operator]
                Case "+"
                    txtDisplay.Text = (firstOperand + secondOperand).ToString()
                Case "-"
                    txtDisplay.Text = (firstOperand - secondOperand).ToString()
                Case "×"
                    txtDisplay.Text = (firstOperand * secondOperand).ToString()
                Case "÷"
                    If secondOperand <> 0 Then
                        txtDisplay.Text = (firstOperand / secondOperand).ToString()
                    Else
                        txtDisplay.Text = "Error"
                    End If
                Case "%"
                    txtDisplay.Text = (firstOperand * secondOperand / 100).ToString()
            End Select
            
            newInput = True
        End If
    End Sub

    Private Sub btnClear_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnClear.Click
        txtDisplay.Text = "0"
        firstOperand = 0
        secondOperand = 0
        [operator] = ""
        newInput = True
    End Sub

    Private Sub btnDecimal_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnDecimal.Click
        If Not txtDisplay.Text.Contains(".") Then
            txtDisplay.Text += "."
        End If
    End Sub
End Class

VB.NET Calculator Differences

Event Handling: VB.NET uses the Handles clause for event binding instead of control arrays
Type Safety: VB.NET has stronger type checking with Double.Parse instead of Val()
Object-Oriented: The entire form is encapsulated in a class
Modern Controls: Uses TextBox instead of Label for display with better editing capabilities
Error Handling: Includes division by zero check directly in the calculation logic

The VB.NET implementation is more maintainable and follows modern programming practices while maintaining the core calculator functionality.

VB6 vs VB.NET Comparison

VB6 Calculator

Uses control arrays for number buttons
Relies on global variables for state
Label control used for display
Limited error handling
No decimal point support
Uses GoTo for error handling

VB.NET Calculator

Uses event handlers with Handles clause
Encapsulated state in form class
TextBox control used for display
Built-in error checking
Full decimal support
Structured exception handling

Practice Exercise

Enhance the Calculator

Try to extend the calculator with these features:

Add memory functions (M+, M-, MR, MC)
Implement a square root function
Add support for parentheses to change operation order
Create a history display showing previous calculations
Add keyboard support for number entry

Advanced Challenge: Implement the calculator using a stack-based approach to handle complex expressions with multiple operations and parentheses.

About This Sample

This calculator sample is part of the Visual Basic Sample Code Collection by Dr. Liew Voon Kiong. The examples demonstrate fundamental programming concepts in both VB6 and VB.NET, showing the evolution of the Visual Basic language.

For more comprehensive examples and tutorials, see our book Visual Basic Programming with Code Examples which includes 48 practical programs with both VB6 and VB.NET implementations.