Microsoft Visual Basic is a programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) created by Microsoft. It allows developers to create Windows applications using a simple and intuitive syntax, making it accessible for beginners. Visual Basic is event-driven, meaning that it responds to user actions like clicks and key presses, which simplifies the programming process. The language is built on the Basic programming language and supports rapid application development (RAD). Developers can easily design user interfaces using drag-and-drop tools, which speeds up the creation of software. Visual Basic is often used for creating desktop applications, automation scripts, and database management tools.