Description:

Graduate to the next generation of Visual Basic at your own pace with the proven Microsoft STEP BY STEP method.

This primer is the fast way for any developer who uses Microsoft® Visual Basic® to begin creating professional applications for the Microsoft .NET platform by unleashing all the power of the .NET-ready version of Visual Basic. Learn core programming skills by selecting just the chapters you need—with code, optimization tips, advice, and samples straight from the experts. Upgrade your Visual Basic 6 applications quickly using “Upgrade Notes” sidebars, a special upgrading index, and practical advice about the Visual Basic .NET Upgrade Wizard. Topics covered include:

• Writing your first program and working with Toolbox controls, menus, and dialog boxes
• Mastering programming fundamentals, including variables, decision structures, loops, and functions
• Using methods in the .NET Framework class libraries
• Debugging Visual Basic .NET programs
• Trapping errors using structured error handling
• Using modules and procedures
• Using collections and arrays to manage data
• Exploring text files and string processing
• Automating Microsoft Office applications and managing processes
• Deploying Visual Basic .NET applications
• Managing Windows® forms and adding graphics and animation effects
• Inheriting forms and creating base classes
• Writing custom code for printers
• Managing Access databases
• Creating database applications with ADO.NET
• Presenting data using the FlexGrid control
• Displaying HTML documents using Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Using Web Forms to build Internet interfaces
• Porting Visual Basic 6 Programs to Visual Basic .NET
• Finding more information

INCLUDED ON CD-ROM:
• Sample code in Visual Basic .NET

 

 

Table of Contents:

Finding Your Best Starting Point	xi
Finding Your Best Starting Point in This Book xii / New Features in Visual Basic .NET xiii / Corrections, Comments, and Help xv / Visit the Microsoft Press World Wide Web Site xvi
About the CD-ROM and Practice Files	xvii
System Requirements xvii / Installing the Practice Files on Your Computer xviii / Using the Practice Files xix / Uninstalling the Practice Files xxiv / Need Help with the Practice Files? xxiv
Conventions and Features in This Book	xxv
PART 1   GETTING STARTED WITH MICROSOFT VISUAL BASIC .NET	1
CHAPTER 1   Opening and Running a Visual Basic .NET Program	3
The Visual Studio .NET Development Environment 5 / The Visual Studio .NET Tools 10 / The Properties Window 16 / Moving and Resizing the Programming Tools 20 / Getting Help 26 / One Step Further: Exiting Visual Studio .NET 30 / Quick Reference 31
CHAPTER 2   Writing Your First Program	33
Lucky Seven: Your First Visual Basic Program 35 / Programming Steps 35 / Creating the User Interface 36 / Setting the Properties 43 / Writing the Code 49 / Running Visual Basic .NET Applications 57 / Building an Executable File 58 / One Step Further: Adding to a Program 61 / Quick Reference 62
CHAPTER 3   Working with Toolbox Controls	65
The Basic Use of Controls: The "Hello World" Program 66 / Using the DateTimePicker Control 72 / Controls for Gathering Input 80 / Using the LinkLabel Control 88 Brand Slider