Learning VB

Hello,

I am self-learning VB now. My source is solely from internet. After 2 months I found it very difficult for me to grab the knowledge. The more I learn/read the more I get confused. It seem like there is so much more beside the coding and to make it worst (for me), different peoples use different methods (code, etc). What is the best way to master programming (to the extent can develop simple workable software). What are the other knowledges essential before ones can study programming? Any different between robotic programming and programming for windows apps